” 8 Track”

Highly Recommended **** I believe in TheoUbique Cabaret Theatre. I am one of their biggest fans.  I prefer them doing actual book musicals as they used to do on Glenwood, instead of the musical mixes, but all in all, I love how this theater company finds talent. As the post covid era of theater starts to open up, I truly feel that they will go back to what made them the specialty company they are. Under the directorship of Fred  Anzevino has blossomed into a trend setter and probably one of Chicago’s finest cabaret theaters. Unlike other “cabarets”, TheoUbique does full blown shows to show off the talent.

Speaking of talent! The current show on their stage is a musical piece that covers the 1970’s music. Eight singers bring us a potpourri of 50 songs, some whole, some in part, representing a great era of music when we played a tape system called “8 Track”. When I think of the bulkiness of these tapes and the players in our rooms and cars, compared to being able to play every current song on our phone, I am amazed. The story conceived by Rick Seeber with musical arrangements by Michael Gribben is supposedly about four young people as they navigate through the challenges facing their lives- their loves, the Viet Nam War, the early days of LGBTQ rights, “feminism”, Social justices, integration and much more. In this version we have eight performers ( singers/dancers/actors) or four couples because the “understudies” are used as ensemble members, filling the stage with music. As you watch the marvelous songs being performed ( directed by Jamal Howard, who also did the choreography) you will see some coupling that you might not expect, but I must tell you, the songs they use during these scenes are quite fitting.

The music you hear is from The Emotions, The Carpenters ( I would have liked more of these), The Bee Gees, Helen Reddy, Barry Manilow ( again , only one Barry song in the 70’s), Simon & Garfinkel and many more.

Titles like “Everything is Beautiful” done my Mia Nevarez, a new-comer to Theo with a voice that will leave you spellbound. Another newbie, Jasmine Lacy Young, fills the theater with music and a range that is undefineable- wow! “Her “I Am Woman” will take your breath away. Chamaya Moody and Alli Atkenson are the female ensemble members ( and understudies for the other women). The men are Wesley Anthony Clerge ( another newbie to Theo) and Patrick O’Keefe  with the male ensemble made up of Matt Patrick and Roy Samra. There is some confusion on the “coupling” as in some cases, the ensemble is the coupled person with the lead performer.

Putting all this aside, the music is wonderful! The work of Jeremy Ramey ( musical Director) and his three musicians is amazing and for the first time in awhile, there is an actual set ( Mara Ishihara Zinky) that works and some wonderful costumes by Jazmin Aurora Medina. there were a few lighting glitches but the sound (Stefanie M. Senior) was perfect and I am sure Piper Kirchhofer will get the cues fixed. They did not take away from the majesty of what we, the audience, witnessed.

If you are one who likes the dinner-theater aspect of TheoUbique, the menu for this one is:

appetizer- jerk chicken wings or veggie spring rolls

Entree- curry chicken or curry vegetables ( served with rice and peas, fried plantains and steamed cabbage

Desserts  – caramel cake

Dinner is $29 in addition to tickets

Tickets range from $42-$54 thru January 23rd except New Years Eve-$70

Performances are as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m,

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  7 p.m.

CHRISTMAS WEEK   NO PERFORMANCES ( 12/23-12/26)

Senior discounts  $5

To purchase tickets or more info call 773-939-4101 or visit www.theo-u.com

The theater is located at 721 West Howard Street , Evanston. There is ample parking on the street, but pay attention to the signs as one side is Chicago, and the other is Evanston- different systems!

A note: If you are a “Criminal Minds” tv show follower, you may find yourself staring at  Patrick O’Keefe a lot. With his build, his 70’s wig and his glasses, he will remind you of Dr. Spencer Reid ( Matthew Gray Gubber) from that show.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “*8 Track”.

Running time: one hour -forty-five minutes including intermission.