Black Ensemble Theater’s Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor kicks off the 2022 Season of Excellence: The Season of Healings with the world premiere of Jackie Taylor’s It’s Just Like Coming to Church (Welcome to The Church of YOU). The production runs March 12-April 24, 2022. The opening is Sunday, March 20 at 3:00pm.
It’s Just Like Coming to Church is written and directed by Jackie Taylor and stars Dawn Bless (Preach) and Vincent Jordan (Deacon Jones). The Choir of the Griots is MJ Rawls (Michelle), Ciarra Stroud (Leah), Noelle Klyce (Maven) and Deshaun Peters (Will). The live band is Music Director Robert Reddrick (drums), Adam Sherrod (piano), Glenn Lowe (guitar) and Wayne Jones (bass).
This joyous and uplifting story helps us understand the power of forgiveness, self-love, and faith as we move through the trials and tribulations that life brings.
It’s Just like Coming to Church features music of many different genres including gospel, spiritual, soul, jazz, hip-hop, and blues. The story is uplifting and inspiring and the music will touch the soul. If you need a healing, this is the place to be.
Tickets are available at www.blackensemble.org, (773) 769-4451 and at the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Performances are Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for previews (March 13, 14, 18 and 19) are $50 and tickets for the regular run, March 20-April 24, are $55.
Due to the challenges and uncertainties that have been brought about by the pandemic, Black Ensemble Theater is proceeding slowly, cautiously, and carefully. Mainstage shows will run 90 minutes and will be performed without an intermission. There will not be any food or drinks served. Masks are mandatory and must be worn at all times in the theater.
Jackie Taylor states, “We are in a time of challenges from which we need a healing—and healing is what the 2022 Four Play Season of Excellence is all about. Through these outstanding plays, the spirit of the music, the hope and faith experienced thru our stories—for this season Black Ensemble Theater is in the healing business!”
The 2022 Season includes four World Premiere musicals showcasing the power of healing, each featuring different journeys and a variety of musical genres including gospel, spiritual, soul, jazz, hip-hop, blues, the sounds of the Harlem Renaissance, and more. All performances will be held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. The remainder of the 2022 season is:
Grandma’s Jukebox
Written and Directed by Michelle Bester
May 29 – June 26, 2022
Previews: May 21, 22, 27 and 28
The spirit of Grandma B. lives on! Without her the family feels lost until they start playing her old jukebox. Through the music from the jukebox, the family comes to understand and accept the power of healing.
My Brother Langston
Written and Directed by Rueben Echoles
August 21 – September 18, 2022
Previews: August 13, 14, 19 and 20
We are in the apartment of Langston Hughes where he entertains prolific and profound legends of the time. On this fascinating journey, accompanied by outstanding music from the Harlem Renaissance, we come to understand why Langston Hughes was considered one of the greatest poets and civil rights leaders of his time and why his poetry continues to speak to us today. His work is a tapestry for healing.
Blue Heaven
Written and Directed by Daryl Brooks
October 30 – November 27, 2022
Previews: October 22, 23, 28 and 29
We are in what looks like a performance venue where four great blues legends – Big Momma Thornton, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughn – are reminiscing about the ups and downs of their careers while waiting for the “new guy” to show up. They are eager to give him advice about meeting – ‘The Boss.’ The new guy – B.B. King – arrives and what ensues is a blues concert that is heaven sent! Blue Heaven will touch the soul with its musical healing powers.
In addition to Black Ensemble Theater’s regular season, a number of special events will be presented during the year, including:
Black Ensemble’s BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) Presents:
The Black Playwrights Festival
April 25 – May 1, 2022
Black Ensemble Theater Presents:
Fridays on the Green (A Musical Celebration)
Fridays in July (July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2022)
Black Ensemble’s BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) Presents:
Sex in the Summer in the City Summer Series
August 23 – 27, 2022
Black Ensemble’s Christmas Cabaret
December 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2022
Black Ensemble Theater
Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Four Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally, and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational, and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.
The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts. For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.