Groovin’

Blue Eyed Soul Sung By Brown Eyed People

As in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the film that made Richard Strauss’ classical tone poem so familiar to theatergoers, the, dramatic chords of  “Also Sprach Zarathustra” opens Jackie Taylor’s new musical revue. It’s skillfully performed by Instrumentalists Adam Sherrod (keys), Oscar Brown, Jr. (guitar), Walter Harrington (bass) and Musical Director/Arranger and Percussionist, Robert Reddrick. This classical work magically conjures up images of outer space and an ethereal location, because that’s precisely where this revue is set. As the ten talented performers make their way down the aisles to the stage and introduce themselves, the audience discovers that we’ve been transported to a mythical locale called The Oracle. We come to understand that this concert will be both musical, celestial and spiritual.

 Jackie Taylor, the talented founder, producer, playwright and Artistic Director of Black Ensemble Theatre has written a unique musical tribute. It celebrates the soul music that, especially when it was first heard on our radios, we thought it sounded like it was composed and performed by African-American recording artists. But upon closer look, all the songs in this “Groovin’” musical revue are actually by “Blue Eyed Soul” singers, but, in this production, they’re being presented, as a tribute, by “Brown Eyed People.”

In this fanciful venue, we meet the entire cast of characters. Three of them are called The Historians (Raeven Carroll, Dennis Dent and the charismatic Trequon Tate). Their primary task is to provide significant background information about the “Blue Eyed Soul” artists represented in this revue. They’re also the backup singers for the seven soloists, although each of them has his or her own moment to individually shine.

The seven primary performers represent various facets of every human being’s personality. They include the Soul (Direoce Junirs), Passion (Britt Edwards), Humanity (Tia Jemison), the Mind (Vincent Jordan), Intellect (Taryn Welch), and Spirit (usually portrayed by LaRon Jones, but played the night I attended by BET favorite, Dwight Neal). The entire show is emceed by the Voice, beautifully and rightfully represented by gifted veteran vocal artist and actor, Rhonda Preston. Any show that stars this incredibly talented woman is off to a great start, and Ms. Preston does not disappoint.

The revue offers two hours of mellifluous music that provides a welcome blast from the past. Each act boasts 12-15 songs filled with sweet-sounding soul. After Ms. Preston explains the premise and sets the scene, the loving musical tribute commences. The entire cast lift their voices in “People Got To Be Free,” a hit that I remember from my Fifth Dimension album. The show continues strolling down memory lane, offering songs like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (featuring Direoce Junirs’ gorgeous vocals), “I Just Want to Celebrate,” “I Will Always Love You” (brilliantly performed with Whitney Houston’s power and passion by Britt Edwards), “Taking It to the Streets,” “Green Grass of Home,” “She’s a Lady,” “You’re My World,” “It’s Not Unusual” and concluding with “If I Only Knew.” Britt Edwards, one of my favorite performers in this revue, is only allowed to offer excerpts from Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But Rhonda delights the audience with her delicious rendition of “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” 

After the intermission, Act II opens with Dwight Neal leading the entire cast in “Groovin’ (On a Sunday Afternoon).” Robert Reddrick’s Instrumentalists are featured in a rousing “Higher Love.” Then the Historians each get to take the stage with “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Beautiful,” and “I Can’t Go For That.” Rhonda Preston breaks up a disagreement between the Mind and Intellect, offering remediation through Jackie Taylor’s, “Let the Negative Energy Be Gone.” The feuding pair eventually make up and reunite, singing “The Biggest Part of Me.” The second Act wraps up with songs like “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Drift Away,” “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “If I Can Dream.”

What Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theatre excels in is their musical tributes to an era or a particular artist. In most every instance, the best part of each production are the songs chosen and their stellar performances. This is particularly true for Jackie Taylor’s latest offering. The spoken interludes, while sometimes funny and often informative, also become redundant. They break up the momentum and flow of the music, as well. 

One of the Historians constantly asks the same question: “Why are we presenting this program of music? Why is the show called “Blue Eyed Soul sung by Brown Eyed People?” Poor Rhonda Preston has to continually answer him with the same response. Music, no matter who composed it, unites us all. It’s not necessarily categorized by race, religion, gender, social status or nationality. It’s simply universal. And Ms. Taylor’s theme that we’re all the same under our skin isn’t a new idea, but it does bear repeating. Just maybe just once or twice, because theatre audiences don’t really like being lectured. Theatergoers are smart enough to get the idea the first time.

Staged on Denise Karczewski’s beautiful otherworldly Set, featuring projections created by DJ Douglass, brilliant Lighting, also by Ms. Karczewski, an accessible Sound Design by Sean Alvarez and a lovely wardrobe by Costumes Assistant Evelyn Danner (Rhonda Preston’s gown is sensational!), the artistic support for this production is totally top notch. Choreographer Brandon Lewis has provided the creative movement, even when the performers are seated. And Musical Director Robert Reddrick has once again guided and focused his cast’s talents in the right direction.

Black Ensemble Theatre’s latest production, written and creatively staged by Artistic Director Jackie Taylor, is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, head-bopping singalong of memorable hits. Her informative and inspirational tribute really gets the audience “Groovin’” as the musical revue entertains and joins us all together through the universality of music.                 

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 21-November 10 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