Back On Stage Again

The Jackie Wilson Story

Just as she did in 2000, Jackie Taylor, the gifted Founder and Executive Director of Black Ensemble Theater, has brought back her production of THE JACKIE WILSON STORY. Twenty-six years ago Ms. Taylor wrote this show, and is once again directing her loving loving tribute to the talented international singer/songwriter. Today, the critically acclaimed, mega-popular biographic musical is kicking off the theater’s exciting 50th Anniversary Season. Appropriately, back in 2012, Ms. Taylor’s engaging and fact-filled musical began a popular and critically acclaimed National Tour that culminated in a record-breaking run at New York’s famous Apollo Theater. And now Jackie Wilson, one of the world’s greatest entertainers, is back on stage once again in Chicago.

This time around Ms. Taylor has cast yet another incredibly talented triple-threat in the leading role. Jaitee Thomas totally inhabits the voice, the moves and the soul of Jackie Wilson. Rightfully, the legendary, Detroit-born soul singer and entertainer earned the nickname of “Mr. Excitement.” And Jaitee Thomas is certainly all that, and more. The handsome singer absolutely transforms into the famed performer, displaying  lovely tenor vocals with an unbelievable range. Mr. Thomas also seems to have a boundless amount of energy and charisma, to boot.

Jack Leroy Wilson, who was nicknamed Sonny by his longtime friend and personal manager, B.B., was professionally christened Jackie Wilson by Billy Ward (lead singer of The Dominoes), after he hired the singer to join his popular R&B quartet. Jackie eventually broke away from the group to launch his own solo career, recording several hit songs by Berry Gordy Jr. and Roquel “Billy” Davis. When Jackie’s career began to flounder, Wilson finally decided, for various reasons, to leave the Brunswick label. He joined up with producer Carl Davis in Chicago to create a brand new musical sound that would take him into the final years of his illustrious career. However, Wilson’s life was continually plagued by infidelity, alcohol abuse and anger management issues.

Jackie Taylor has filled her show with memorable songs from the mid-twentieth century. The best part of this two-act production is the sampling of Wilson’s hits. They include “Am I the Man,” which opens the musical with a bang. Also included are the singer’s hits, “To Be Loved,” “Lonely Teardrops,” “No Pity (In the Naked City),” “Reet Petite,” “Whispers Getting Louder,” “Baby Workout,” “Having a Party” and the exuberant “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.” Sung with incredible enthusiasm, the music practically has the audience dancing in the aisles. 

The revue also features a few hit tunes that were made famous by his contemporaries. They include the Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel,” the Dominoes’ “Little Bitty Pretty One,” as well as  two songs by Ms. Taylor. Her original, gospel-inspired “When the Sun Refuse to Shine,” is rousingly sung by one of the Theater’s favorite performers, Rhonda Preston. She plays Eliza Mae Wilson, Jackie’s beloved mother. Later in the show Ms. Preston returns to bring down the house with her moving “A Mother’s Love.”

We learn that Jackie Wilson not only dazzled his audiences but also inspired other top performers of his day. Soon such musical luminaries as Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were imitating Wilson’s signature pelvic thrusts, knee drops, spins, splits, back flips and floor slides. Jackie Wilson really knew how to work a room, especially the women. And although he was married three times, Wilson simply couldn’t keep his hands off other ladies, which had serious repercussions throughout his life. In addition to recreating Jackie Wilson’s distinctive vocal styling, Jaitee Thomas has all the singer’s vivacious stage presence, impeccable and glitzy costumes (designed by Jackie Taylor) and stylized dance moves (brilliantly choreographed by Breon Arzell). An impressive, but deceptively simple, lighting and set design has been created by Denise Karczewski, and an array of wigs were designed by Dawn Crenshaw, assisted by Linnah Foster.

Ms. Taylor has subtly updated and tweaked her current production from the previous versions. But the new, improved offering of THE JACKIE WILSON STORY is just as wonderful and entertaining. In addition to the fabulous Rhonda Preston, the show features an ensemble of talented performers who include Britt Edwards (as Freda Wilson), Destin Warner (as B.B.), Solomon Langley (as Sam Cooke), Raeven Carroll (as LaVern Baker), Vincent Jordan, Dennis Dent, Michaela Dukes and Ben Woods.

But it’s the exciting and multitalented Jaitee Thomas, in the titular role, who truly headlines this production. His beautiful voice, energetic performance and boyish charm is what makes Mr. Thomas an undisputed, show-stopping star. Backed by a terrific ensemble cast, this sensational show absolutely sings. On drums, Robert Reddick’s top-notch musical direction and conducting is supported by a talented six-piece instrumental combo, perched high above the stage. THE JACKIE WILSON STORY is back on stage again in another must-see offering by the always impressive Black Ensemble Theater. Make no mistake, the stellar 50th Anniversary season of Jackie Taylor’s gift to the Chicago Theater Scene is off to a dazzling and spectacular start!  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 7-April 28 by Black Ensemble Theater at their Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 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.