Chi, IL live shows on our radar. We haven't had a chance to catch this one yet, but it's high up on our must see list. We've been impressed by Jackie Taylor's work for years.
Black Ensemble Theater presents the world premiere of From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles and produced by Jackie Taylor. From Doo Wop to Hip Hop will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, through April 14, 2013.
From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is the story of people who live in the highly affluent neighborhood of Unison Hills. This is an integrated neighborhood made up of people from the music industry. The older folks have all lived their dreams of stardom, and the younger folks are reaching for theirs. The Whites and Blacks who live in Unison Hills have a very special bond, until tragedy hits – a racial tragedy that tears their congenial neighborhood apart. Audiences will hear such great musical classics as “The Great Pretender,” “16 Candles,” “What’s Your Name,” “Our Day Will Come” and “Waterfalls,” just to name a few. Audiences will also enjoy several other musical genres including rhythm and blues, soul, Hip Hop and everything in between. Musical variety is the name of the game and From Doo Wop to Hip Hop serves it up – big time.
Dates: Through April 14, 2013
Schedule: Wed & Thurs: 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.
Valet parking is available.
Ticket prices:
Regular Run: $55 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees.
A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. Preview tickets are $45.00
Box Office: 773-769-4451 or online at www.blackensemble.org. Click here to order tickets.
From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is part of the Black Ensemble’s 36th Season of Excellence titled, ‘Treasures and Tributes.’ "This Black Ensemble treasure (originally Doo Wop Shoo Bop) is being rewritten and updated for the 2013 production,” says Jackie Taylor. “With this production, we celebrate music that every generation will enjoy. As always at Black Ensemble, we are bringing audiences of different generations and races together to experience a universal story with exceptional music like you won’t hear anywhere else in Chicago.”
As with all Black Ensemble Theater productions, Robert Reddrick will serve as musical director. The Black Ensemble Musicians include Robert Reddrick on drums, Tracy Baker on bass, Herbert Walker on guitar, and Mark Moultrup and Andrea Moore on piano.
The cast includes: David Simmons, Monty Montgomery, Christopher Straw, Dwight Neal, Matthew Payne, Kelvin Roston Jr., Brandon Holmes, Lawrence Williams, Corey Wright, Cynthia Carter, Erin O’Shea, John Keating, Megan Murphy, Lisa Beasley, Danielle Davis and Marquicia Jordan.
The creative team includes Rueben Echoles (Choreography), Daryl Brooks (Production Manager), Dave Ferguson (Set Design), Denise Karczewski (Lights), Mike Pierce and Les Spires (Sound), June Saito (Costumes), Helen Latyak (Props), CoCo Lemry (Scenic Painter). Bekki Lambrecht is the
Technical Director, Emily Wall is the company stage manager and Victoria Spires is the Equity Stage Manager.
Black Ensemble Theater performance times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Previews are $45; Tickets during the regular run are $55 (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday matinees) and $65 (Fridays, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees).
The Five Play Card is a much more flexible way of becoming a subscriber to the theater’s 36th Season of Excellence: Treasures and Tributes. The Five Play Card can be used for one person to see 5 plays or to bring 4 other friends to one show or in any other combination that adds up to five. The Five Play Cards issued in 2013 will be good for one year.
Gold Five Play Card, $247.50, can be used on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday matinees. The Platinum Five Play Card, $292.50, can be used for any performance.
Tickets and The Five Play Card are available at the box office, 4450 N. Clark Street and by phone, (773) 769-4451. All performances are held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.
The Black Ensemble Theater
Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.
On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space; rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage. The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), is expected in 2013.
The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts. For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.
