What a Feeling!

The Time Machine: A Tribute to the ’80’s

The joyful music of the 1980’s was vast, vibrant and valiant. So many different song styles were embodied by the talents of hundreds of groundbreaking singers and musicians. It must’ve been a daunting task for Daryl D. Brooks, BET playwright and director, to decide which of the multitude of great songs and performers from the ’80’s to include in this retrospective revue. But theatergoers who take this musical and historical journey through the Decade of Decadence at Black Ensemble Theater will be rewarded with two-and-a-half hours of total reminiscence and rapture. All I can is, “What a Feeling!”

In a perfect premise for this entertaining musical revue, we meet a high school student named Derrick. Played with wit and style by Brandon Lewis, this brilliantly talented young actor/singer/dancer plays a kid who’s slacked off on his school assignment. He was supposed to write a research paper examining the music of the ’80’s. Dismissing that decade as “boring” and not very important, and knowing nothing about that era, he’s forced to seek help from his wise Uncle Mike (played with lovable style and humor by the incomparable Thee Ricky Harris). Through the magic of Uncle Mike’s fantastic time machine, which resembles a gigantic boom box, Derrick learns first-hand about, and comes to appreciate, the euphonious energy of the 1980’s.

But where to begin? Well, the popular jukebox musical, “Rock of Ages,” set its plot in Los Angeles during the ’80’s. As the title implies, the songs are covers from classic rock-n-roll bands, featuring the music of Styx, Journey, Pat Benatar and many others. In Daryl Brooks’ rousing retro revue, the focus is primarily on the contributions of famous African-American singers, song writers and musicians. The production boasts a cast of gifted, amiable triple-threats who portray such significant singers of the decade as Prince, Michael Jackson, Keith Sweat, LL Cool J, Sheila E, Whitney Houston, Madonna and many, many more. 

It can’t be denied that the music wouldn’t be nearly as fantastic, had it not been arranged and musically directed by BET’s brilliant Robert Reddrick, and supported by bandleader Adam Sherrod’s majestic musical ensemble. The band includes Reddrick on drums, Sherrod on keyboard, Eric Troy, Sr. on organ and keyboard, Myron Cherry on drums, Oscar Brown, Jr. on guitar and Walter Harrington on bass. And the musical numbers particularly sparkle because they feature the unique and unstoppable choreography by the brilliantly clever Christopher Chase Carter.

Every single performer in this revue is unbelievably gifted, with many singers and dancers playing multiple characters. Most of these incredible actors are also a stellar member of the backup groups for the headlined singers. Jared Brown is terrific as Prince; Jaitee gloriously brings Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat to life; Isaac Ray dazzles as Ralph Tresvant and Michael Jackson (and the aforementioned Brandon Lewis also plays a younger Michael Jackson with jaw-dropping skill); Ben Izlar, Jr. is memorable as Johnny Gill; Isaiah Engram is great as Rob Base and Ronnie Devoe; Trequon Tate is majestic as Michael Bivins and Flava Flav; and Vincent Jordan brings his swagger to LL Cool J and Al B. Sure with vigor and verve. The fantastic female performers include Micah Alyce as a captivating Irene Cara and Lisa Lisa; Britt Edwards is super as Sheila E., Denise Williams and Whitney Houston; Vu infuses Madonna and Pepa (of Salt-N-Pepa) with panache; an incredible dancer, Ama Kuwonu is glorious as Sade, and others; and Miciah Lathan dazzles as Queen Latifah and Chaka Khan.

Just a sampling of the many great musical numbers included just reveal the tip of the iceberg in this extraordinary production. The show offers a smorgasbord of superb songs that will both delight and inspire younger audience members and take theatergoers of a certain age on a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane. Included in the first act of this revue are “All Cried Out,” “Jungle Love,” “The Bird,” “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Poison” and “Can You Stand the Rain?” Act II opens with some of the toe-tapping tunes from movie soundtracks, such as “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” “Let’s Hear It For the Boy,” “I Feel For You” and the hilarious dance hit, “Da Butt.” Then we sample more pop and hip-hop hits with “It Takes Two,” “Oh Sheila,” “Smooth Operator,” “Material Girl,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Billie Jean” and “I Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.’”

This production is as pleasurable, polished and professionally produced as any show in Chicago. It’s the kind of musical revue that audiences will want to return to again and again. The show is a tribute to the talents of both Executive Producer extraordinaire, Jackie Taylor and Writer and Director, Daryl D. Brooks. This is the kind of production that Black Ensemble Theater does best, and the audience’s response should signal to the company that BET needs to give the public more of what they want. 

This show is an homage to the energetic ’80’s, a period of electronic music, post-disco dance-pop, digital recording, synthesizers and the emergence of hip-hop. Clothed in gorgeous, form-fitting costumes by Marquecia Jordan and wigs designed by Keith Ryan, the company sparkles and surprises with their considerable talent. Denise Karczewski’s spectacular scenic and lighting design, enhanced by Tony Churchill’s terrific projections and DJ Douglass’ spot-on sound design, make this musical revue feel like a Broadway musical. And oh, What a Feeling!     

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 24-April 14 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.