“A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle”

[rating=5] There are a great number of Black Ensemble Theater fans who come more for the music than the story. For years, that was their reason for making the trip to the city from areas as far as Milwaukee, Rockford, and other long drives. In the past few years, many of the productions concentrated a great deal on the story over the music, and while for many this was okay, there were some who wrote to me saying that they liked it the old way. The current production, ” A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle”, is one of the best things I have seen on their stage in some time. Written and directed by Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles, this production features a song book that is delightful and an ensemble of performers that will knock your sox off! So those of you who have backed off- TIME TO RETURN!

While Echoles does give us a story, it is more a summary connected by the times and the music of the talented lady, who is played by two different women. Young Patty, who in reality was named Patsy is played by Cherise Thomas, who has a killer voice and is wonderful to watch as she brings this real person alive , and the today version is handled to perfection by Dawn Bless who is dynamic in this role , and when she sings the opening “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and the “Patti Medley” will send chills up your spine! One thing you have to say about Jackie Taylor and her Black Ensemble Theater is that they find some of the greatest talent in the city, and even from surrounding areas, who come here to have the chance to work with this theater company. Black Ensemble brings history and entertainment into the arena, making the experience one that stays with us for years to come.

The story is simply about a girl who wanted to sing, forming a group and working her way into the world of music. While there were ups and downs in her life Patsy always bounced back and despite a great number of set-backs in recent years, continues her journey into the hearts of those who love her and her soul. There is a lot to learn about human nature from this story as well as how difficult it was for a person of color to get past the barriers placed before them. When one watches a story like tis one is reminded that some of these restrictions are still not gone and that this was in our lifetime. In fact, not that long ago.

The ensemble is composed of:Renelle Nicole, Kylah Williams, Jessica Brooke Seals, Emily Hawkins, Linnea Norwood, Isaac Roseborough, Trequon Tate, Christopher Taylor and Mark Yacullo (who truly shows off his vocal range in his duet of “On My Own”). The musical numbers are: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Moanin”, “Somebody Loves Me”, “Mess Around”, “Danny Boy”, “Lady Marmalade”, “New Attitude”, “If You Asked Me” and a host of others. Only a few songs were written by LaBelle, but her ability to take others’ works and style them around her personality is probably what her popularity is all about. She was and is a performer that takes us into her heart and soul and leaves us wanting more. One can see that the writer/director and the entire cast admire and respect the subject matter of this play, and watching the audience reaction at today’s opening, I think this is a sure “hit” and should garner a few awards for Black Ensemble Theater.

The music is handled by  Robert Reddrick ( drums) and his Black Ensemble musicians- Adam Sherrod (keyboards), Danny O’Conner (Bass) and Herb Walker (guitar). This band “rocks” and their music always sets the tone at Black Ensemble. The productions at Black Ensemble rely mostly on the talent, the music and the story, so less is done on the technical side, but the set (Bekki Lambrecht) is done to give us different spaces to see the story unfold, and David Samba’s sound is clear as a bell, while Denise Karczewski’s lighting fills the stage and allows clear vision. Aaron Quick handles the video design.

“A Tribute to Patti LaBelle” has a running time of 2 hours-20 minutes (including a 15 minute intermission) and will continue at Black Ensemble Theater located at 4450 N. Clark Street thru June 17th ( I hope they extend it, so more of you can experience the splendor of this show) with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Tickets range from $55- $65 with 10% off for students and seniors

to purchase your tickets ( and I suggest you not wait), call 773-769-4451 or visit www.blackensemble.org

Indoor valet parking is available in the building, and street parking is readily available ( Sundays- the meters of Clark Street do not need to be fed).

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle”

This is a MUST SEE!