“The Real Housewives of Motown”

[rating=3]For those of you familiar with Black Ensemble Theater Company, you know its history and how under the leadership of its founder, Jackie Taylor, it has become one of the most beloved companies in town. Unlike other theater companies, BET does its own stories and uses popular music in its stories. From its start, Ms Taylor was the playwright and director, but over the years, many of the young talents that she has found have moved up to become writers and directors as well. I often think of the BET as a “family” rather than a theater company. Each performer will be glad to step in as needed around the beautiful building that I refer to as “the house that Jackie built” on Clark and Sunnyside. This is not only a theater building, but a learning center where many a performer has been found.

Their current show is called “The Real Housewives of Motown” and was written and directed by Michelle Renee’ Bester. Over the years, BET has done many shows depicting the life stories, trials and tribulations of the male stars of Motown, but what about their wives? What was it like to be the spouse of a star, both on the rise and once fame is attained?

With 21 songs, many of which every audience member knew, and many scenes where we can see how relationships can be altered by emotions and strain. Let’s face it, these men were on the rise and going from city to city. In each, they were tempted by young ladies who were what we might call “backstage Jennys” who want their moment with a star.

I watched the audience’s reaction to much of the show trying to see if they were okay with the number of scenes to tell the story. They were glued to the dialogue but became alive when the performers broke into song. Once again, their voices are amazing as we see and hear music that was all over the charts years ago. Songs like “Shout” a great number to end the first act, as well as “Where Did Our Love Go”, “My Guy” ( yes the Temptations were on stage with every move on cue),”Baby I Need Your Loving” and “Ain’t No Woman Like The One I  Got”. There are many more and a highlight of the evening was “For Once In My Life” as the wives spell it out in perfect harmony!

Before I get to the performers, I want to say that the set by Angie Weber Miller, was probably one of the best that this stage has had over the years. The lighting (Denise Karczewski) and sound (DJ Douglas) were right on. The costumes(Evelyn Danner) and wigs (Keith Ryan) brought us back to the era when all this took place and with the music (directed by Robert Reddrick) and choreography (Reneisha Jenkins) one can see just why so many people flock to see the shows at Black Ensemble Theater.

The cast of performers, as always, is a combination of singers and actors who are frequent cast members and  “first-timers”. Unlike a book musical that has been around, the scripts at BET are written with specific stories and the characters in them are people who the audience knows…real people! The dynamic cast of this show is as follows: Melanie McCullough as Josephine Williams, Qiana McNary as Clineice Stubbs, De’Jah Perkins as Mary Agnes Williams, and Britt Edwards as Claudette Rogers Robinson. These ladies were the other side of the story. The world knew their men through their music and performances, but these ladies were back home raising children and paying bills as their men were off trying to become the stars that they were promised by Berry Gordy (deftly handled by Dennis Dent). The other female cast member was Kendra Turner who did  a dynamic Mary Wells.

Since the story involves all the men that left these “housewives'” home, I opted to talk about them first. They have the moves and they can sure sell a song. These men must have studied every move of the originals as they surely have it! Trequon Tate ( Otis Williams), R.J. Griffith ( his Smokey Robinson is amazing), Nick Henderson ( Levi Stubbs), Naphtali Curry ( Paul Williams), Kentrall Dawson (Eddie Kendricks) and Brandon Lewis in the ensemble.. The male cast members do switch back and forth doubling as ensemble members where needed.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

Tickets run rom $56.50 and are available by calling 773-769-4451 or at www.blackensemble.org

There is street parking and indoor valet parking is available ( $10.00 cash)

The covid mask rules are your preference and only bottled water is allowed in the theater.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Real Housewives of Motown”.