‘Conjurmen’ Looks for Magic Touch

Set in the Mississippi Delta, “Haints, Conjurmen and Leaving,” at the Miracle Theatre in Inglewood, neatly heralds Halloween with its eerie emphasis on African American folk superstitions.

David Lee Lindsey’s play, originally a staged reading at the Mark Taper Forum’s New Work Festival, revolves around a good-hearted “conjurman” who must overcome his self-doubt to help a nearby family in a time of painful transition. By focusing on the human verities--love, loyalty, truth, justice and the redemptive properties of faith--the play almost transcends its limitations.

Unfortunately, although the strongly developed characters hold our interest throughout, Lindsey’s overall story line is skeletal (no pun intended), a loosely linked series of scenes that Lindsey tries to flesh out with unnecessary reiteration and “padding.”

Stepping in at the last minute in the role of the Conjurman, Donovan Womack performed with script in hand--a serious distraction nicely covered by an engaging, disciplined cast. Vocalist Lucille M. Oliver smooths scene breaks with Billie Holiday standards. Patricia Belcher excels as an ailing family matriarch whose feistiness disguises a loving soul.

* “Haints, Conjurmen and Leaving,” Miracle Theatre, 226 S. Market St., Inglewood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends Oct. 19. $15. (310) 836-0997. Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes.