What the World Needs Now

That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti

Three talented divas gather in a theater greenroom to relax and catch up with each other before their Las Vegas concert. Enjoying attention from the hotel staff, along with every luxury the lodging can offer, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Dionne Warwick have reunited for an evening of the brand of musical splendor that only these celebrities can provide. The three icons of pop and soul warm up for their concert with a few familiar songs and a lifetime of shared memories, continually reminding us, as they will throughout the show,“What the World Needs Now.”

Written and Directed by Black Ensemble Theater Company member Daryl D. Brooks, this may be one of the multi-gifted artist’s finest creations. Skilled at writing and directing musical revues, Brooks’ latest work follows the same, tried and true formula of the best Black Ensemble productions. The shows typically present a company of personable, extremely talented local actor/singers portraying some of the most extraordinary performers of popular music. Along the way, we’re treated to a CliffsNotes version of a singer’s colorful background that made the artist who he or she is today. We also get to enjoy the incredible talent of the younger version of each performer.

Directed by Mr. Brooks, with expert Musical Direction by Robert Reddrick (who also leads and plays percussion with his brilliant onstage band) and the sensational Choreography by Tanji Harper, this new revue sizzles with soul and spice. The show stars Sybyl Walker as Mature Dionne Warwick, Rose Marie Simmons as Mature Gladys Knight and Tamara Batiest as Mature Patti LaBelle. Each of these performers are talented singers of unbelievable musicality, but these ladies also understand how to act a song so that we are treated to and evening of musical monologues. Hopefully we’ll be seeing much more of these three accomplished artists in the future.

As previously mentioned, a younger portrayal of each diva also takes the stage. They remind theatergoers of the early talent that eventually turned Dionne, Gladys and Patti into such luminary performers. Brianna Buckley is Young Dionne Warwick, Michaela Dukes plays Young Gladys Knight and Courtney Driver portrays Young Patti LaBelle. All three are brilliant solo singers and also lend their voices to the group ensembles. The talented men in this production include BET favorite, Dwight Neal, almost stealing the show as Luther Vandross, Dennis Dent as Charles Gibbons, the always exciting Jaitee Thomas as Michael Peterson and Trequon Tate, who’s featured along with the others in ensemble numbers. 

Staged on Angie Weber Miller’s aesthetically pleasing Set, this production is Lighted with concert brilliance by Denise Karczewski. Gregory Graham’s beautiful and excellently tailored Costumes are full of glitz and glitter, crowned by the perfect Wig Designs by talented Keith Ryan that really help define each character.

The show’s playlist is filled with familiar hits that we fondly remember from each of these celebrity singers. They include “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Neither One of Us,” “If I Was Your Woman,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “Then Came You,” “I Know I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” the title song and, of course, “What the World Needs Now.” In a tribute to their mutual friend, Aretha Franklin, we also get these ladies’ rendition of the Queen of Soul’s “Respect,” “Think” and “Ain’t No Way.”      

Daryl D. Brooks’ impressive new musical revue, which follows a familiar blueprint at Black Ensemble Theater, focuses on three gifted contemporary singers. We revel in the talents of Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, Patti LaBelle, the Godmother of Soul and, of course, Dionne Warwick, the Princess of Pop. All three musical artists, a trio of professionals and peers, have actually been close friends for decades. They even call each other sister and, as shown through this loving portrait, have always had the greatest affection and respect for each other. In light of America’s often aloof and antagonistic climate nowadays, “What the World Needs Now” is friendship because, as Dionne Warwick reminds us, “That’s What Friends Are For.”   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 7-July 27 by Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-769-4451 or by going to www.blackensemble.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.