“It’s Just Like Coming To Church” – Welcome to the Church of You reviewed by Edie Reese

[rating=4] Jackie Taylor’s “It’s Just Like Coming to Church (Welcome to the Church of You)” is actually more than just coming to church. Are you used to boring sermons? Forget about that! Do you think that you will hear judgy comments from your fellow congregants? Throw that notion out! This production is one of the most joyous events that you can attend these days, and you’ll hear some phenomenal music along the way. Ms. Taylor, founder of the Black Ensemble Theatre, authored the entire book of the show and two of the show’s sixteen songs.

The six-member ensemble cast, accompanied by a top-notch four-piece band, takes the audience on a musical tour/therapy session of faith, hope, love and self-empowerment. The audience is welcomed in by Preach (Dawn Bless), singing “Hold On, Change is Coming,” backed up by the seamless harmonies of the rest of the cast (thanks to Vocal Arranger Robin K. DaSilva). We learn that this special choir is rehearsing for a big concert and invites the audience on their journey. Each member of the vocally powerful cast has a story to tell about his or her personal struggle of how he or she or they came to the “Church of You,” and the lesson he or she or they learned from the experience. Musical styles range from Gospel to Blues to Funk to Reggae to Jazz. However, before they embark on their journey, they must face “Anxiety And Depression.”

Anxiety and Depression (played by Vincent Jordan, who also plays Deacon Jones) is ironically, the comic relief in this show. While the cast complains about the very real symptoms of anxiety and depression (lethargy, lack of motivation, social isolation), Anxiety and Depression replies: “But that’s my job!” Jordan, through sheer physicality (as the character has no face), embodies this character with such expressiveness that when he is eventually banished you are almost sorry to see him go. There is also a running subtext between Preach (Bless) and Deacon Jones (Jordan) as to who exactly is running this church. Several funny incidents leave no doubt that the lady has complete control.

Each of the other choir members (MJ Rawls [Michelle], Noelle Klyce, [Maven], Deshaun Peters [Will] and Ciarra Stroud [Leah]) shine emotionally and vocally in their spotlight songs. The stage and set (Set Design by Bek Lambrecht) are minimal but effective. Black Ensemble Theater’s ¾ thrust stage requires no curtain and allows for projections on a large back wall. The Lighting Design by Denise Karczeweski was inventive but not so flashy as to overwhelm the story. The very talented band (Robert Reddrick—Music Director/Drums, Adam Sherrod—Keyboards, Wayne Jones—Bass and Oscar Brown—Guitar) is perched in an aerie above the actors. And Sound Designer Max McNeal Martin makes sure that the balance between instrumentals and vocals is just right.

After a two-year near hiatus in productions, “It’s Just Like Coming to Church” is the first full-length production to grace the Black Ensemble Theatre stage. There are three more shows scheduled for this season, which is themed “The Season of Healing and Joy.” Due to COVID precautions, masks are required to be word during the entirety of this ninety-minute production (no intermission). Also due to COVID protocol, audience size is limited to 150 per performance and social distancing is strictly enforced.

The show plays now through April 24, with performances as follows:
Fridays at 7 p.m.
Saturdays at 3 pm and 7 pm
Sundays at 3pm

Tickets are $55 each and are available online www.blackensemble.org ,via phone (773-769-4451) or at the box office (4450 North Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640).

As the theatre valet parking is currently closed due to COVID precautions, theater parking is currently limited to street parking. Finding parking space on a Sunday for a matinee was relatively easy.
At this opening production a surprisingly spry and enthusiastic Jackie Taylor came onstage after the show to celebrate the beginning of her namesake theater’s forty-sixth season. The entire audience was only to happy to join her in the celebration.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “It’s Just Like Coming to Church”.