Steadstyle Chicago
	March 2008 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass) Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** (Left) RaShawn Thompson as the younger Teddy and (Right) Kevin Mcllvaine as the mature Teddy in Black Ensemble Theatre's "I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass)".  Photos by Ken Simmons. One of the wonderful flavors of Chicago theater is Jackie Taylor's Black Ensemble in the Uptown neighborhood.  She keeps putting together stories and music on that little stage on Beacon Street and the talent that she has found over the years is more than sensational.  The current production is a world premiere that tells the life story of legend Teddy Pendergrass.  He was a church singing young man who became a back-up singer but knew he was destined to be a star (as did his Mother).  While he was driven to attain the stardom that he felt was his, he also was determined to be an honest man as well as a family man by seeking out the children he had fathered along his way so that he could have a relationship with them and be there for them.  He also took care of his Mother and those who were there for him along the way. Being a family man was difficult as his music made young women desire him, thus causing any possible marriage plans to be doomed before they even began.  But in 1982 his life abruptly changed as an auto accident left him paralyzed from the chest down and wheelchair bound for the rest of his life (although the docs were not sure just how long that would be).  But he persevered and in fact was in the theater for the opening gala.  He has returned to the world of music, in a smaller way, but he is alive and his music lives as well.  He made a statement to the audience who were on their feet during the finale of this well directed, masterfully performed tribute that we cannot control what fate puts on our plate, but we can choose to eat it and digest it or push away from it.  One way we die, the other we have a chance to succeed, a pretty easy choice I would say! While I was not as into his music as I have been other Black Ensemble stories, I must tell you that the two men who played the role, Rashawn Thompson as "young Teddy" and Kevin McIlvaine, as "mature" Teddy, were both spectacular, each with their special way of handling the growth of the man.  Mr. McIlvaine has the extra job of being a narrator of sorts and moved about well in the wheelchair, handling the lack of movement to perfection.  His voice is one that booms through the auditorium and I for one would pay to hear him do a concert on his own.  He is magic on stage.  Mr. Thompson is no slacker, but his role is not quite as meaty as the "mature" Teddy. While these two men are worth the price of admission on their own merits, Ms. Taylor fills the stage (as usual) with some top-notch local talent.  Rhonda Preston plays his mother Ida and belts out some of the best Gospel sounds you will hear.  Dawn Mitchell manages to steal her scenes with some power of her own and the ensemble is, as always up to the task set for them by the energetic mother of this group, Ms. Jackie Taylor.  Ms. Taylor started this dream 31 years ago, has made a true name for her ensemble and has given the African American Community something to be very proud of. By the way, Jimmy Tilman and his masters of music make all the music come alive with the heart and soul that belongs to the music.  This is a show that you must see, no matter your race, no matter your music preference.  This is a show with heart and soul that teaches us that if we want something, we just need to work at it until we reach our goal, never give up.  To be entertained with great music and talent, learn about a man's struggle with survival and walk out with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.  Wow!  That's entertainment at its finest. This production will have what is called an "open run" so as long as people are buying tickets.  It will run at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon with performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 P.M., Sundays at 3:00 P.M.  Tickets are $45 and are available by calling the box office at 773-769-4451 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Street parking is available on Wilson and Clark, public transportation is very available and there is a parking lot for a small fee next door.  For more info check out www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org.  They are hoping to have a new home built in the very near future so more of Chicago will get to see their work.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The EpochTimes.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.