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Reviews
BY HEDY WEISS Theater Critic/hweiss@suntimes.com
Hellfire and damnation, and a whole lot of heavenly
singing and earthly argumentation. That's what you get in "The Message
Is in the Music (God Is a Black Man Named Ricky)," Jackie Taylor's red-hot new musical for the Black Ensemble Theater. The show makes the most of both the temptations
and terrors unleashed into the world by Lucifer, that destructive man with the burning tail and the propensity for chaos and
war. But it ultimately sees to it that the forces of good prevail by way of a towering, self-assured black man named Ricky.
And rarely has the battle between good and evil been quite so much fun, or come with such a blast of vocal and instrumental
power behind it. » Click to enlarge image "The Message Is in the Music (God Is a Black Man
Named Ricky)" stars Rick Stone (center), with Rhonda Preston and Dawn Mitchell. 'THE MESSAGE IS IN
THE MUSIC (GOD IS A BLACK MAN NAMED RICKY)' HIGHLY RECOMMENDED When: Open run Where: Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon Tickets: $45 Phone: (773) 769-4451 This is one of Taylor's more tightly scripted
and sassily directed pieces -- a zesty weave of the secular and the spiritual that uses more than two dozen vintage hits,
by everyone from Curtis Mayfield and Barry White to John Lennon
and Paul Simon, to conjure the battle for men's (and women's)
souls. And not only does it bring together some of this theater's best-loved performers -- all with clarion voices -- but
music director and drummer Robert Reddrick has assembled a smoking eight-piece band that is perched among the "clouds" and
sounds as if it had been coached by archangel Gabriel himself. The force of light here comes in the form of Ricky,
a k a "He" (blues singer Rick Stone, whom audiences will forever think of as Howlin'
Wolf). He sets the funky but self-assured tone from the moment he arrives onstage in a snowy white zoot suit
and gets the audience moving to a rousing take on Mayfield's "It's All Right." Ricky's wife, "She" (the full-voiced Meanwhile, Lucifer (Donald Barnes in his fiery
red suit) is up to no good, and his sidekick Demon Dwight (Michael T. Bartlett Jr., who lights up in "Fire") spurs him on,
even if Lucifer's sexy Demon attendants Fear (Kylah Frye, who gives a breathtaking performance of "I Wanna Be Free") and Doubt
(Carrie) dance and sing up a storm as they begin to have some second thoughts. NOTE: Taylor, a proud new grandmother, told her
audience that $13 million of the $15 million needed for her theater's new home (with two stages and classrooms) has been raised.
Groundbreaking is set for June, with a September 2011 opening.
October 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff Steadstyle Chicago The Message is in the Music Black Ensemble Theater is unique in that many
of the stories they tell are written by Artistic Director/Founder Jackie Taylor, who manages to find some of the most extraordinary
voices in Chicago for each production. The scripts are not the most important part
of what she brings to an audience, but they do tell a story. The current production is titled "The Message is in The
Music (God is a Black Man Named Ricky)" that takes us on a trip to heaven and allows us to watch as Lucifer
has a face-off with God, the fight between good and evil, love and hate. Yes, it is an old story and one that will always
be retold, but Ms.Taylor puts it together with a cast of powerful singers (who can truly move as well), using 27 songs to
tell the tale. Music from John Lennon, Curtis Mayfield,
Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and others fill the small, intimate theater on Beacon Street,
which is soon to be replaced with a brand new state of the art facility. Songs like "Let It Be", "Tell Me What I Say",
"Imagine", "People Get Ready" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". There is also a great
octette of musicians that make this building rock. They feel the music and play it as it should be played! Ms. Taylor knows how to utilize the small stage to
perfection and the amazing choreography by Rueben Echoles makes this tiny stage seem to have no boundaries with his steps.
This production is sizzling hot with great arrangements to the music by Robert Reddrick that bring a new flavor to the sound
with some jazzy arrangements and some very Gospel sounds. One could not ask for better voices than those that are assembled
on this stage. Often I hear that when big shows are seeking talent for their productions where African American characters
exist, that there is not enough talent around. Well somebody tell these producers to get in touch with Jackie, because
she knows how and where to find them. Ain't no doubt about it! The cast for this show sparkles with talent.
Angels Dawn Bless and Rhonda Preston will knock your socks off. Trinity P. Murdock is a powerful Trinity, Michael T.
Bartlett Jr. really moves as Demon Dwight, Carrie as Demon Doubt and her soul-sister Kylah Frye as Demon Fear are wonderful
to watch, Corey Andre Wright does a cameo as Curtis Mayfield, and the marvelous
France Jean-Baptise plays SHE (this is the name for God's woman as he is often referred to as HE). The roles
of Lucifer (Donald Barnes) and God (Rick Stone) are superbly cast. I can't think of anyone who could do these roles
other than these two men. Each has a powerful characterization and each one can belt it out with the best. While the story line is not the strong point to
the show, they do get us to think about faith and hope, trust and doubt as well as our fear. Right now our country is
going through some tough times. Could it be the work of the Devil? Is Evil lurking around every corner just waiting
to grab us? Well, I suggest that you forget about all that stuff and hop on over to the Black Ensemble Theater located
at 4520 N. Beacon (just South of Wilson Avenue and East of Clark
Street) for a wonderful two hours plus of great music! Forget about your troubles and the world around
us for two plus hours and just tap your feet, clap your hands and smile that friendly smile while being entertained by the
wonderful cast of "The Message is in The Music (God is a Black Man Named Ricky)". Performances are Fridays and Saturdays
at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are available by calling 773-769-4451
or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To learn more checkout www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org.
It’s time to update your resume. Call: 312-368-8888 for the
location nearest you.
Our Critics Highly Recommend: At Last: A Tribute to Etta James Floyd and Clea I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change At Last: A Tribute to Etta James Produced, written and directed by
Jackie Taylor Musical Direction by Robert Reddick At Black
Ensemble Theater 4520 N. Beacon Chicago, IL Call 773-769-4451, tickets $35 Friday & Saturday at 8 PM Sunday at 3 PM Running time 2hrs, 10 min with Intermission Limited open run So silky smooth, so bluesy, so wonderful! I never really understood what “soul”
was or meant until I heard Etta James sing. She is the smoothest blues artist with a large dose of emotion that penetrates
into your soul. I’m starting to understand the essence of the blues. Etta James marks a path. In Jackie Taylor’s
song feast which is a tribute to a little known (outside the Black community) blues singer who is an R & B, jazz, country,
folk, pop and rock artist whose silky smooth style is infectious. Featuring 25 varied songs sung by the
five ladies playing each of Etta’s personas, this show is rich in amazingly emotional numbers. From songs like “If
I Can’t Have You” to “Something’s Got A Hold on Me” to “In The Basement,” the tribute
captures the magic of Jamesetta Hawkins (1938 - ) who gained notoriety as a child gospel singer. She became a star at age
14 with “Roll with Me Henry, “ a Rhythm and Blues song which was an ‘answer song to Hank Ballard’s
“Work with me Annie.” Jackie Taylor points out that the show isn’t a bio or a book show; rather it is
a tribute to the spirit of Etta James who overcomes adversity (drugs, abusive men and booze). James is a survivor
whose struggles are amplified in her music. Songs like “Fool That I Am,” “I’ll Be Seeing You”
and “Don’t Blame Me” are filled with her angst. We are treated to 5 marvelous ‘Etta’s,’
France Jean-Baptiste, Desla Epison, Dawn Mitchell, Carrie and Melanie McCullough. Just when I was thrilled by
one of these talents, another stepped into the spotlight and nailed her number. This continued until it was obvious that each
marveled in a particular Etta James style from toe-tapping R & B, to country to gospel to smooth jazz to torch
songs with Etta’s heart-wrenching blues being featured. Jackie Taylor had fun with us by having Rueben
D. Echoles narrate in full drag. She was a shear delight! Etta James’ songs are captured in this song feat—if she wonders into Black Ensemble Theater—she’ll
be delighted. Highly Recommended Tom Williams May 1, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
Etta James tribute swings with power By BETTY MOHR From musical biographies of black music legends in shows such as "Doo Wop Shoo Bop," "The Jackie Wilson
Story," "The Nat King Cole Story" and others, the company has kept the joint jumpin' and jivin' with world-premiere musicals
like no other theater troupe in town.
Now, Black Ensemble has done it again with a terrific upbeat celebration of powerhouse songbird Etta
James. Written and directed by Jackie Taylor, the theater's artistic director and producer, this show soars with the same
kind of hope-filled and inspirational theme that its fans have come to love.
Taylor previously focused on the celebration of famous male musical artists, but this year switched
her focus to highlighting women musical stars.
While this show still has the same story line — in which the artist has to overcome hardships,
adversities and personal demons to finally achieve success — in this production, Taylor has made a few changes in presentation.
Instead of a revue in which one actor plays the part of the celebrated performer, this show features
five women — Dawn Mitchell, Melanie McCullough, Desla Epison, Carrie and France Jean Baptiste — playing the part
of James.
These women represent the different personalities that James exuded and suggest her inner torment.
Another change comes in the form of the narrator. While previous productions featured a narrator who was personally or professionally
connected to the star, this time around, the narrator is a mystery woman who is played by a man (charming Rueben D. Echoles).
While it's an interesting departure, using one actor in the part of the main character would be effective
in getting to the heart and soul of the showcased star. That said, this revue rocks with some of the most hand-clapping, you-can't-help-dancing
musical numbers.
You might not get as deep as you'd like into James' personality, but you get really deep into her great
music, which combined rock, blues and gospel for such numbers as "Roll With Me, Henry," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "A
Sunday Kind of Love," "At Last" and many more.
The music swings with powerhouse performances, such as Mitchell's heartbreaking rendition of "I'll
Be Seeing You" and Baptiste's "Blues Is My Business." And the show's orchestra, led by musical director Robert Reddrick, with
the beat of Kenneth Clark's saxophone and the trumpets of Kenneth Anderson and John Meggs, has never sounded so good.
Along the way, we're treated to stellar performances, from the twitchy, young, strung-out
Etta (McCullough) to the earthy, centered, eldest Etta (Jean-Baptiste). |
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