The Same But Different

Elvis Presley Was a Black Man Named Joe

Jackie Taylor tells her audience that she loves Elvis Presley but not as much as she loves her little brother Joe. The multitalented Ms. Taylor, the founder and CEO of Black Ensemble Theater, looks back at the lives of her family with affection and nostalgia in this new revue. Thinking about her adoration of “Elvis the Pelvis,” Ms. Taylor notes a lot of similarities between her younger brother, Joe Taylor, and the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. During the 1950’s and 60’s both siblings were huge fans of the actor and international singing sensation, while growing up in urban Chicago. They saw all his movies and bought all his records. The two young people recognized that the sexy singer’s music wasn’t just infectious but offered an unusual mix of influences across color lines. And in this pleasant, sometimes touching, musical revue, we’re shown how Elvis Presley and Joe Taylor were, in many ways, the same but different.

Throughout the production, we learn many bits of trivia about both men. While Elvis was born and raised in rural Mississippi, and Joe grew up in the Cabrini Green Projects of Chicago, their lives had some resemblances. They were about the same age, the two men loved to sing and dance, and both Elvis and Joe had difficult lives as younger men. Each of them served their country in the military, and both young men, coincidentally were stationed in Germany. And sadly, although in different ways, both Elvis and Joe’s lives ended before their time.

Jackie Taylor has not only written this revue, that features the hits of Elvis Presley and includes three songs of her own, but she has directed it, assisted by Tia Jemison. The production is Musically Directed by the Theater’s gifted and longtime member of the BET family, Robert Reddrick. His onstage band is Conducted by Bass player Oscar Brown Jr., with Myron Cherry on Drums, Adam Sherrod on Keys and Charles “Chip” Dubose on Guitar. Although the book scenes, which are often quite lengthy, reveal some interesting details about the Taylor family, the production truly comes to life and is the most entertaining during its many musical numbers. This, in great part, must also be attributed to talented Christopher Chase Carter’s spirited Choreography.

The cast of this revue reads like a Who’s Who of so many Black Ensemble productions. Talented vocalist and BET favorite, Rhonda Preston returns to portray Jackie as a grown woman. She enchants the audience by narrating much of the autobiographical presentation, as well as singing some of the finest numbers. She’s joined by Dennis Dent as Joe, seen in the recent production of THE SALON; the magnificently multitalented and Jeff Award-nominated Britt Edwards as Young Janet; the exquisitely gifted singer, dancer, actress and, may I say, comic talent, lovely Melanie McCullough, as Mom; and the handsome and talented star of THE TIME MACHINE, Jaitee Thomas, as Dad. The delightful ensemble of talented singers and dancers features Dwight Neal (YOU CAN’T FAKE THE FUNK), Direoce Junirs (DOO WOP SHOO BOP), Trequon Tate (BLUE EYED SOUL SUNG BY BROWN EYED PEOPLE) and Destin Warner (HITT RECORDS).

The production tantalizes by tapping into the Elvis Presley songbook. Sometimes as part of a medley, often as a solo or entire production number, the music includes “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Return to Sender,” “In the Ghetto,” “All Shook Up,” “Love Me Tender” and many more. Act I ends in a fierce and fiery rendition of “Jailhouse Rock,” with the entire cast dressed as Elvis, from the film of the same name. And Rhonda Preston closes the production with her soulful delivery of Presley’s Gospel-inspired, “How Great Thou Art.”

Jackie Taylor’s autobiographical musical revue focuses on the relationship with her dearly departed younger brother, Joe. It also gives theatergoers a bit of insight into Ms. Taylor’s family life growing up in Cabrini Green. While admitting that Elvis Presley was a major part of their young lives, and both of them loved his music, Ms. Taylor also finds several comparisons between her sibling and the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, showing how Joe and Elvis were the same, but different. The show, which is less than two hours long, features several moments that touch the heart. But, as always at BET, it’s the brilliantly delivered musical numbers, sung by a talented cast, backed by a gifted onstage band and enhanced by some animated and cheerful choreography, that truly elevates this show to a pleasure.      

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 1-April 30 by Black Ensemble Theater, 

4450 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person 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.