By Joseph McDonough
Enquirer contributor

"Back then, me and Jimmy had hope."

The time is 1968 and two would-be Harlem artists are reaching adolescence, and unleashing the power of words and art - while trying to avoid the ghetto gimmicks of drugs, prostitution and other delusions that waste so many lives around them.

Dael Orlandersmith's The Gimmick, which opened at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival Sunday night, is a beautifully written reflection of pain and promise in the life of Alexis (Taylore Mahogany Scott) as she journeys from the age of 8 into early adulthood.

In this one-woman show, Ms. Scott portrays not only Alexis, but everyone else in her life: her chain-smoking alcoholic mother, her best friend Jimmy, a kind librarian, and Jimmy's lecherous father.

Ms. Orlandersmith weaves striking poetic images (Alexis smelling the pages and inhaling the words when she discovers literature) with a strong narrative line as Alexis and Jimmy (his first reaction to seeing a Picasso: "That's how I feel!") decide to become a writer and a painter and escape Harlem for Paris.

As they move into their teens though, Jimmy tastes some success and Alexis feels betrayed as their own self-destructive gimmicks threaten to control them.

Ms. Scott delivers a varied, measured and at all times watchable performance as she slips in and out of her many characters.

She has great fluidity in her face and body, plus a vocal range that allows her to take firm command of the stage.

A quibble is that the role of Alexis (who repeatedly refers to her weight) appears to have been written with a larger actor in mind. But this hardly detracts from the power of Ms. Scott's performance.

Both Ms. Scott and director Rebecca Bowman have the right feel for Ms. Orlandersmith's shifting rhythms and building emotions. They wisely allow the innocence and the soul of the piece to speak while theatrical fireworks explode in a few crucial places.

It makes for a bittersweet but ultimately uplifting show that is stunning at times and will certainly linger with you.

Kudos also go to sound designer Christopher Guthrie for an eclectic collection of music (jazz icons such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davisplus pop hits such as "Brick House") and sounds (an ice cream truck, art gallery chatter, the distant honking of cars) that often create just the right atmosphere.

The Gimmick, Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival (in repertory with Jesus Hopped the "A" Train) through Nov. 12. 381-2273.