The myth of Robert Johnson inspired playwright York Walker to write "Covenant," a play that centers on a bluesman of extraordinary talent in the early nineteenth-century Deep South. I witnessed Director Malkia Stampley's production of "Covenant" on Friday evening at The Goodman Theatre.

Johnson, who died at the age of 27 (allegedly, a jealous husband poisoned him), was such an excellent musician and songwriter that a local legend claimed he sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his talent and success.

In Walker's play, Johnny James (played admirably by Debo Balogun) returns to his southern hometown after two years of touring. Townsfolk speculate that his newfound musical talent is the result of a Faustian bargain. James reconnects with and courts Avery (Ashli René Funches), and the two run off together to play music on the road and elope, much to the displeasure of Avery's mother, played with extreme coldness by Anji White. The couple's departure also troubles Avery's sister, Violet (Felicia Oduh), and her best friend, Ruthi (Ashli René Funches). When Avery returns home with a severe brain injury, this reinforces everyone's belief that the Devil is involved.

Multiple times throughout the evening, the actors broke the fourth wall to tell a story of "a man" or "a woman" who had experienced something significant. The audience learns late in the show that each story ties into the plot, providing significant backstory and clues to what is going on in the present.

Parts of "Covenant" are laugh-out-loud funny, parts are suspenseful, parts are touching, and parts are terrifying. One scene was clearly intended to be terrifying, but the laughter of a group seated to my left spoiled the effect.

Balogun plays a charming, likable Johnny, but leaves the audience wondering whether he is hiding a dark secret. In fact, everyone hides a dark secret, which is revealed little by little. Ultimately, it is Funches who steals the show as layers are peeled back from the mystery.

"Covenant" is a dark and fun ride.