Steadstyle Chicago
June 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
A Tribute to the Black Crooners
Over the years, we have been treated to marvelous works by Ms. Jackie Taylor and her Black Ensemble Theater. Each story has been one of a man or woman and his or her music as well as how they got to where they were. We have also thrilled to her special stories of the music of the sixties and seventies and have been able to see the rise of many an African American star or Icon. Her latest production, written by Rueben Echoles with Dawn Bless and directed by Ms. Taylor and Mr. Echoles (who also did the choreography) is very strong in music selection but is a little lacking in script. The story is about a supper club in Chicago, Stephen's Club and its owners/performers, three brothers and their sons who are preparing for the 65th anniversary, a tribute to the Black crooners.
The six men who play the roles of the brothers and cousins are all talented singers with great personalities. Trinity P. Murdock does a dynamic Louis Armstrong and does a nice job of playing his father in flashbacks. Donald Barnes is brother number two and Magellan Watts is the youngest of the three. The sons/cousins are played by Michael T. Bartlett Jr. who does a great Nat King Cole, Rashawn Thompson who as always is a pleasure to listen to, and Donald Manuel as a man who has another business and who doesn't seem to hold the club as near and dear as the others. Thompson started with Ms. Taylor as a teen and has truly matured to a solid actor/singer under her guidance. As the family worries about the appeals to save their property and family business, they continue to plan and prepare for the big show (the show must go on, after all) and along the way, some arguments and friction between the cousins take place. Can this business be saved? Can this family stay united? These are the questions that are of great import that the script presents and although we all know how it will work out, there are a few twists.
The story is that while they are preparing for the big event, the city wants to take their spot away, tear it down and build a mall, ending a 65 year tradition of the best that can be offered in entertainment for those who love the works of Cole, Roy Hamilton, Joe Williams, Louis Armstrong, Luther Vandross, Johnny Mathis, Musiq Soulchild, John Legend and even works by Willie Nelson and Rogers and Hammerstein. The music is wonderful and the voices are tremendous. I found the storyline much wordier than needed and would have preferred more song and dancing. This is what audiences are used to and have learned to expect. Take the story, pare it down and keep it simple, add a few more songs and you will have a show that is in the league with the last six shows presented at Black Ensemble Theater. No one was unhappy with what they heard music wise; they all just wanted more singing and less talking. I will say that the new tunes that were written by Mr. Echoles were perfect for the story-telling and a few more songs would have made this show a Ten instead of a Seven!
As always, the musicians led by Dr. Jimmy Lee Tillman, Thomas Washington, Kenn Smith, Bernard Reed, Bill McFarland, Hank Ford (he of the great sax) and Paul Howard are worth taking the trip to Uptown for. They are a pleasure to hear play and a few more big numbers by them wouldn't hurt either. Jackie Taylor is a special lady and what she has created for Chicago audiences is something special as well. She has also given opportunities to many African American singers to hone their talent and become actors that sing instead of singers that act. Bravo, Jackie.
Since this production will run through August 16, you might expect that a few changes will take place, but I can assure you the music will only get better, so put this on your "to do list" and get yourself to The Black Ensemble Theater located at 4520 N.Beacon Street, just south of Wilson and just east of Clark. Street parking is available and they also have valet parking. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $45 and seniors, students and group discounts are available. To place your order call 773-769-4451 or Ticketmaster at 312-902-1500. Online: www.ticketmaster.com. Want to know more about this theater and its outreach programs? Check out www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org.
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 Epoch Times. 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.