Displaying items by tag: Daryl Brooks

As I neared the Black Ensemble theater, an undeniable sense of eager antcipation pervaded the atmosphere. While I stood there, patiently awaiting the arrival of my companion, I couldn't help but observe the diverse array of theatergoers—people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds,converging from all directions. They were in a hurry, eager to secure their seats for a performance they knew would satisfy their craving for pure, unbridled entertainment. These theatergoers were in for a treat.

 "Taste of Soul," skillfully crafted and directed by the talented Daryl D. Brooks, transcended its modest title. It proved to be an extraordinary event that exceeded all my expectations.Brooks has ingeniously crafted an engaging live cooking show, featuring the dynamic duo of Thee Ricky Harris and the equally remarkable Qiana McNary as the lead chefs. In addition to sharing brief biographies of soul artists, the hosts impart valuable lessons on preparing soul food to the audience. Their camaraderie and delighf ul banter contribute to the overall enjoyable experience.

Harris and McNary are aided by a slew of talented sous chefs. Vincent Jordan, Trequon Tate, Spencer Davis Milford, Catlin Dobbins, Britt Edwards, Makenzy Jenkins, Percy Nesbary III, Laron Jones, and the guy you can’t take your eyes off of when he’s on-stage dancing, Brandon Lewis, bring artists as varied as Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Simply Red, McFadden & Whitehead, The O’Jays and Gamble & Huff to life.

While the ensemble delivered a powerful performance, it’s important to highlight exceptional individual contributions. Vincent Jordan possesses a timeless stage presence that's truly innate; it's a quality that can't be taught and he undeniably possesses it. Witnessing Percy Nesbary III once again was a pleasure. Earlier this year, I had the chance to see him shine in The Beverly Arts Center's production of "Five Guys Named Moe," alongside Thee Ricky Harris. He stood out then, and he stands out now. His portrayal of Nick Ashford was a joy to watch.

Caitlin Dobbins and Britt Edwards, as the sole women in the ensemble, had the duty of playing most of the women in this show and they rose to the occasion. Edward's “Tina Turner” had all the energy and dances moves of the real Tina. Dobbins with her powerhouse voice would make Gladys Knight proud. Spencer Davis Milford proved soul has nothing to do with ethnicity, giving us a simply beautiful rendition of “Holding Back The Years.”

It goes without saying, Robert Reddrick is the premier Musical Director in Chicago, full stop. The band is the best band I have heard in any theater of any size in any city. Granted, the band overtook some singers, it was hardly noticed because everyone in the audience was singing along.

Marquecia Jordon’s costumes and Keith Ryan wigs effectively created the illusion of the various artist. The fantasized kitchen framed with projections of various artist is the brain child of Set Designer Denise Karczewski. I especially liked the oversized oven, when opened suggesting something hot is coming out. It never disappointed.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects on society. What better way to achieve this mission than to invite everybody to the barbecue. If you yearn for entertainment, this is your show. I must warn you, eat before you come, with all the talk about food, Black Ensemble Theater didn’t serve one morsel of food. I really didn’t mind; I left quite full.

When: Through October 15, 2023
Where: Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark Street
Running time: 2 hours- with a 15-minute intermission
Tickets: $65. - Seniors $55.
Contact: 773-769-4451

*Extended through October 29th

It was 1982 in America when “Pump Boys and Dinettes” first premiered on Broadway. Developed by a band whose members worked at the nearby Cattleman Restaurant, the show is based on their experiences working there, but trasposed to a setting recalling the "good ole days" of the South (for some), through the lens of the staff working at the Double Cupp Diner. 

It doesn’t have much of a plot. But if you enjoy escapist theatre with a country western feel, this is the show for you. It was nominated for a Tony award for Best Musical, right along with “Dreamgirls," “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Nine." "Dreamgirls" won most of the Tony's and Pump Boys finished after 573 performances before disappearing into obscurity.

But in Chicago, it the musical has had a very different history. After opening in November 1984 at the Apollo Theatre on Lincoln Ave., it closed in July, 1989 after 1,976 performances and selling more than 600,000 tickets. So locally, its a known crowd-pleaser. 

But to be staged 30 years later, it was too much a product of its times. The Double Cupp Diner in its previous versions would never have made it into the famous Negro Motorist Green Book—a guide published by Victor Hugo Green to steer African American travelers to motels, restaurants and filling stations that would serve them in the South. As a Black man, I have admit a bias against the heart of the original “Pump Boys & Dinettes.” (How’s that for critical race theory?)

But Porchlight has updated the production significantly, with the people of color running the production and included in the starring roles. And the music 

The set for Porchlight’s production of “Pump Boys & Dinettes” is gorgeous. Going out on a limb, it’s probably the best set you’re going to see this season. Sydney Lynne’s 1950’s retro art deco diner and filling station is worth the price of admission. This set was so fully realized, I could smell the coffee coming from the kitchen. It is an explosion of color and neon lights. It’s all beautifully lit by Denise Karczewski, whose lighting design changes from song to song creating a different effect depending on the tempo and subject of the song. If you’re like me and you peek into a diner before going in, you would have noticed a picture of that country western star Lil Nas X hanging on the wall. I immediately knew this wasn’t my Grand-daddy’s “Pump Boys and Dinettes” – this was gonna be something different.
Under the direction Daryl Brooks, a name you may know from The Black Ensemble Theater, this cast gives a lively energetic jolt of life lessons, foibles and desires by way of country western songs. The genius of Brooks was casting an inter-racial group of people to play the pump boy and dinettes, thereby making it an American Musical .
Shantel Cribbs (Prudie) and Melanie Loren (Rhetta) are cast as The Cupp sisters proud owners of the Double Cupp Diner. Prudie, the more sentimental of the two sisters sings a torch song “The Best man” while Rhetta lays down the law with her firery “Be Good or Be Gone,” The two create a melancholy moment with the surprisingly tender song “Sister,” but not before explaining what it is a waitress want, “Tips.” These women have phenomenal voices and acting abilities. Th Cupp Sisters also provided percussion by way of salt boxes, washboards, pie tins, basically anything that is handy and could make a sound.
Not only does the boys pump gas and fix cars, but they are also accomplished instrumentalist. Ian Paul Custer on rhythm guitar as Jim, is our tour guide and leader of the Pump Boys. He engages the audience with his down-home charm whether he’s singing about “Taking it Slow” or reminiscing about childhood memories with his "Mamaw." On lead guitar is the handsome heartthrob Jackson played by the equally handsome Billy Rude. His “Mona “is a hilarious but sweet crush on a Walmart clerk. His energy is infectious as is his comedic timing. Rafe Bradford is pump boy Eddie. What makes Eddie such a fun character is he seldom speaks but says a great deal with his facial expressions while playing his bass guitar. L.M (Ladies Man) is the co-owner of the filling station played for everything it’s worth by Frederick Harris, a first-rate musical comedy actor. One of the funniest songs is done by LM. I won’t spoil it by giving it away.
“Pump Boys and Dinettes” is at its best when the entire company is working together. Thanks to Music Director Robert Reddrick , choreographer/Costume & Wig Designer Rueben Echoles and Director Daryl Brooks they work together beautifully. As a gift to the original creators, I suggest a brand new 40th anniversary cast album. This deserves to be heard more than once.
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn
Created by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, Jim Wann Directed by Daryl Brooks
Music direction by Robert Reddrick
Choreographed by Rueben D. Echoles
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Thru December 12th

One could only picture what would have happened should four of the greatest rock and roll pioneers ever step foot in the same studio at the same time. And just imagine if the above referenced were Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Well, one winter afternoon in December of 1956, that’s exactly what occurred when these four music trendsetters met unexpectedly at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Though no one outside of Jerry Lee Lewis himself (only living participant) really knows all the details of what happened during that meeting, most are quite certain a jam session like no other took place, later earning the four the nickname “The Million Dollar Quartet”.

Currently playing at Theater at the Center in Munster, Indiana, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ brilliantly takes its audience into Memphis’ Sun Records studio where it combines theatre with a truly entertaining rock and roll show. Filled with jaw-dropping singing and instrumental feats, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ beautifully conveys the excitement of mid-1950’s rock music while at the same time providing audience members with a good feel for the time period itself. It is no wonder this show is already a timeless classic.

Finely directed by Daryl Brooks, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ does not require elaborate set changes, taking place entirely in a recording studio (Sun) converted from an auto parts store. The show makes its mark as one of the hottest shows on stage thanks to its amazing musical performances, well-defined characters and a storyline that perfectly delivers the enthralling supposition of “What could have been?” The story also points to the importance of Sun Records and their impact on the music world, mainly owner Sam Phillips (superbly played by Sean Fortunato) and his ability to recognize and shape the talent of each recording artist, by having them reach inside themselves. The man was simply a musical genius. But Sun Studios is a small, two-man operation and it is inevitable that each of these great artists will one day outgrow Mr. Phillips distribution and marketing ability and look to hop on larger, well-established labels.

What contributes greatly in making ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ so special is the incredible cast they managed to assemble. Not only does Theater at the Center’s cast deliver the personality traits and behaviors of each, from Jerry Lee Lewis’ dancing eyebrows to Elvis’ sneers and unique body language from the waist down, but it is each actor’s ability to convincingly sing and play as their character that takes this show to a much higher altitude.

At times, Michael Kurowski literally makes the audience forget they are not watching the real Jerry Lee Lewis thanks to his maniacal style of piano playing intertwined with the showmanship that helped the rockin’ pianist become famous. Zachary Stevenson’s sizzling guitar licks and strong vocals makes a highly believable Carl Perkins (you might remember Stevenson from his outstanding performance as Buddy Holly in American Blues Theatre’s ‘The Buddy Holly Story’), while Thomas Malouf nails Johnny Cash with spot on singing and his ability to capture his live qualities. Zach Sorrow, who first stuns the crowd with his accurate rendition of “That’s All Right” and then later seals the deal with a classic performance of “Hound Dog,” plays Elvis Presley. Together they are a force. The cast is rounded out by studio session players Fluke (Nick Anderson) on drums and Jay Perkins (Michael Sinclair) on bass who present a show worth watching in their own right. Aeriel Williams stuns as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne who joins in the all-star jam session with a couple songs of her own including an inspired version of “Fever” that really shakes the house.

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ starts off with a bang with “Blue Suede Shoes” and then continues to highlight memorable songs from each performer including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Who Do You Love,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Peace in the Valley” and many more. A good mix of concert and theatre, this is a show that is heartfelt, entertaining and sure to leave a lasting impression - not to mention have many searching through their record collection when they get home. This is a show that captures its audience within the first minute, embodies rock n’ roll fun throughout and ends on a high note with its dynamic ending as a show featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis should.

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ is currently playing at Theater at the Center through March 31st. For more information visit www.TheaterAtTheCenter.com.