Opposites Attract

True West

As the lights come up, we find Austin at work on his screenplay, sitting at the kitchen counter of his mother’s clean and tidy house. Through the windows we can see that we’re in the picturesque foothills of Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains, not far from Lost Angeles. All is calm and orderly, but that’s about to change. Lee, Austin’s resentful and ill-tempered estranged older brother, unexpectedly drops in. Swaddled in dirty, sweat-stained clothing and badly in need of a shower and haircut, Lee is clearly the polar opposite of well-groomed, preppy and highly-educated Austin. But as they say, “Opposites Attract.” And by the final curtain of this dark comedy, the kitchen has turned into a ragged desert landscape, the two brothers seem to have swapped identities and they’ve both become part of the wild, True West.

Being True to Yourself

Arthur & Friends Make a Musical

At Lakewood Elementary School, Mr. Ratburn’s class is getting ready to write and perform a show for everyone in Elwood City. All of Arthur’s classmates are excited, inspired and busy writing stories that showcase an aspect of each kid’s personality. But Arthur, who most of his friends find boring, needs some creative motivation. After envisioning his buddy Buster’s mystery thriller, his friend Muffy’s fashion forward fantasy, Arthur is inspired by his schoolmate Brain’s dinosaur drama and even swayed his little sister DW’s obsession with extraterrestrial aliens, Arthur tries to write a story that’s equally as exciting. 

A Journey Beyond the Music

Twisted Melodies

When we’re privileged to enjoy the creativity of a talented artist of any kind—visual, musical, theatrical—the public usually has no idea of the struggles that person has endured. The only way we see, hear or know the creator is through his or her art. For most of us, that’s the only way we know the Soul Music Legend Donny Hathaway. But when we become immersed in the complicated world of this talented musical genius, in a show researched, written and performed by Chicago and National super talent, Kelvin Roston, Jr., we are treated to something far more than your typical jukebox musical. We find that we’re listening more closely in a journey beyond the music.

A Royal Comic Drama

Queen For a Day

“This program is one of the most ghastly shows ever produced.” Then the critic went on to call the show “tasteless, demeaning to women, demeaning to anyone who watched it.” Finally he called the program “cheap, insulting and utterly degrading to the human spirit.” Do you know what early television show earned this scathing criticism?  

Be Our Guest

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

After 25 years, the first North American National Tour of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST—one of the best loved musicals of all times—just opened in Chicago. And it’s a real cause for celebration because this first class polished production was well worth the wait! The new, revised production is a visually stunning, absolutely gorgeous and totally captivating experience for audiences of all ages. Directed and Choreographed by talented Matt West, a master of both skill sets, he’s remembered for bringing life to Broadway’s Anne Rice/vampire-inspired musical, LESTAT. And when we read that Matt West also Directed and Choreographed the touring version of CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, we’re not a bit surprised. His inventiveness and expertise is evident in this energetic and athletic production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. It’s a magical and magnetic production that invites the audience to Be Our Guest.

Comfort Food

Dhaba on Devon Avenue

Welcome to an established ethnic restaurant, located on Chicago’s Devon Avenue on the North Side of the city. It’s called the Dhaba Canteen, and it’s part of an exhilarating island in the city that’s locally known as Little India. Dhaba, the program tells us, is “a hole-in-the-wall or roadside restaurant in Pakistan and Northwest India.” Since the 1980’s, American immigrant restaurant owner and Chef, Neeraj Madhwani, has been meticulously recreating the Sindhi recipes he found in his beloved  grandmother’s diary. He’s always prided himself on cooking authentic Indian comfort food that bring his diners fond memories of their homeland. 

Too Beautiful For Words

The Color Purple

As soon as I heard the rousing notes of this musical’s opening number, “Mysterious Ways,” I knew I was hooked again. Watching a congregation of almost two dozen talented writhing, moving and shaking people, the congregation’s vocals led by three larger-than-life Church Ladies, I settled back in confidence. I knew I was about to enjoy another production of Alice Walker’s heartfelt story. You see, this isn’t my first time enjoying THE COLOR PURPLE. Like many plays and musicals that I’ve seen more than once, I love every production because each is always different and unique. Every presentation features a remarkably talented, new cast and sports its own outstanding theatrical elements that make the show feel singular and special. But, I must admit, as Shug Avery soulfully sings to her new best friend, Celie, this astonishing Goodman Theatre production is simply “Too Beautiful for Words.”

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Always Something There…A New (80’s) Musical

After Samantha Craig, an attractive middle-aged woman, checks into her hotel room, she sprawls out on her bed with an assortment of minibar libations and a birthday muffin. Clearly not in a happy place she makes a wish, blows out her candle and passes out. When she awakens Samantha’s wish has remarkably come true. She’s left her sad, disappointing life behind and returned to the past to celebrate her eighteenth birthday with her high school friends. But Sam is determined that this journey back to the 1980’s will offer her a fantasy come true, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a do-over in her life.

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.

Crazy

Always…Patsy Cline

When theatergoers walk into the Drury Lane Theatre, their jaws will drop. They’ll swear they’ve been magically transported to Nashville’s legendary palace of Country/Western music, the Grand Ole Opry. Thanks to Collette Pollard’s extraordinary, meticulously detailed Scenic Design, the stage, which even houses a smaller stage and a bandstand, seems to stretch beyond the proscenium and out into the audience. That’s also thanks to the Lighting Design by talented Lee Fiskness and the sparkling and dazzling effects he achieves throughout the production. They are nothing less than awesome.