On My Own

A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle – Black Ensemble Theatre

 

Continuing with a second exciting offering in their 2018 season, entitled “Movers and Shakers,” Black Ensemble Theater, that treasure on the corner of North Clark Street and Sunnyside, presents another original biographical musical revue. This new show, a tribute to American singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Patti LaBelle, is both written and directed by BET’s Renaissance Man, the incomparable Rueben D. Echoles. It’s an electrifying couple of hours of entertainment that guarantees to bring audiences to their feet. 

Aside from some sassy comic writing, and a bit of heartbreaking drama, the show overflows with toe-tapping hits. Opening with Patti LaBelle’s signature version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” the beloved Oscar-winning ballad from “The Wizard of Oz,” Chicago’s own superstar songbird, Dawn Bless, raises the roof and sets the bar high. As the older version of Ms. LaBelle, Dawn narrates the show, fondly looking back at her humble childhood beginnings in Philadelphia. Along with her sisters, Patricia (played by the miraculous Cherise Thomas) worshipped Henry, her blue collar father. His marriage to their mother Bertha, affectionately nicknamed “Chubby,” became increasingly abusive and the marriage ended when Patti was only twelve years old.

To raise Patricia’s spirits and get her out of the house, Chubby enrolled her daughter in the Beulah Baptist Church choir. The choir director discovered that Patricia had a spectacular voice, and gave her the solo spot in all their Sunday morning concerts. Having gained some self-confidence, Patti and three of her schoolmates formed a singing group, the Ordettes, and won the local talent competition. Encouraged, they decided to audition for a local record label; but it wasn’t until Patricia sang “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman” that owner Harold Robinson heard the spectacular voice that he knew would ultimately sell records. 

Eventually Robinson changed the group’s name to the Blue Belles, and later to Patti LaBelle and the Blue Bells. The quartet recorded and gained national fame with other songs, like a soulful “Danny Boy,” the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the pop hit, “Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song).” Soon British producer Vicki Wickham took over managing and reimagining the group, calling them simply, LaBelle. Influenced by the glam rockers of the era, Patti LaBelle and her two backup ladies were costumed in silver and gold metallic spacesuit costumes and glittery makeup. They recorded albums, toured the world and became an international sensation.

It wasn’t long, however, before Patti LaBelle made the decision to go solo. Her songs included such red hot R&B hits like “Get You Somebody New,” “If Only You Knew,” “On My Own,” “Somebody Loves You Baby,” “Love, Need and Want You Baby,” “When You Talk About Love” and the spectacular “Lady Marmalade.” But the song that identified Miss Patti LaBelle, and gave voice to the many ways in which she has adapted and remade herself over the years, gives this revue its title: “A New Attitude.”

This production is directed, staged and superbly costumed by its author, the very talented Mr. Rueben D. Echoles. Supported by Robert Reddrick’s gifted band, the pulsating music is played by Mr. Reddrick, Adam Sherrod, Danny O’Conner and Herb Walker. Bekki Lambrecht provides a workable, colorful set design, Aaron Quick creates historically accurate projections and the production is lit by Denise Karczewski, with sound by David Samba.  

Echoles’ talented 11-member cast is led by the amazing voices of the transcendent Cherise Thomas and Dawn Bless. Both of these gifted, glittering songstresses are enough reason to spend two hours enjoying this exciting musical story. But the nine supporting ensemble members, each playing multiple roles, are singing stars in their own right and make this show a real joy. The always magnificent Jessica Brooke Seals delights in no less than four separate roles, including singer Dinah Washington; Kylah Williams is beautiful as Chubby, as well as nicely playing Sarah Vaughn and Cindy Birdsong; Renelle Nicole is excellent as Nona and Vivian; Linnea Norwood dazzles as Barbara; and talented Emily Hawkins is a real standout as Vicki Wickham, among characters. The ever-talented Trequon Tate is sweet and caring, both as Henry and as Patti’s longtime friend and husband, Armstead; Isaac Roseborough suavely portrays James Moody, James Brown and Patti’s grown son, Zuri; Christopher Taylor is wonderful in several roles, especially as Otis Williams; and Mark Yacullo almost steals the show as Harold Robinson, Larry Le Gasspi and Michael McDonald. 

Black Ensemble Theatre is presenting, once again, what it does better than any other Chicago venue. It’s offering up a well-written, sometimes touching, often humorous and spectacularly soulful jukebox musical biography of one America’s best-loved singer/songwriters. Patti LaBelle, now 70+ years young, has had a career that’s spanned decades. She’s overcome abuse, racism, prejudice and professional jealousies to become a Legend and a National Treasure. An inductee into both the Grammy and Songwriters’ Halls of Fame, named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and nicknamed The Godmother of Soul, Ms. Patti LaBelle’s star is shining brightly in Chicago. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas           

   

Presented May 5-June 17 by Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, 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