ONE HIT WONDERS, THE STORY OF THE MARVELETTES Are Black Ensemble Theatre's Final 2014 Productions

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the remainder of Black Ensemble's 2014 lineup, including One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks; The Story of the Marvelettes by Reginald Williams, directed by Rueben D. Echoles and At Last: A Tribute to Etta James, written and directed by Jackie Taylor. Black Ensemble is offering a free ticket to its music-filled, not-to-be-missed annual New Year's Eve celebration with the purchase of tickets to the remaining three shows of 2014. For tickets or more information, visit www.blackensemble.org or call (773) 769-4451.

Full details for each show follow:

The World Premiere of
One Hit Wonders
Written by Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless
Directed by Daryl D. Brooks
May 21 - June 29, 2014
Opening Wednesday, May 21, 2014

This not-to-be-missed, hilarious musical spans some of the world's biggest hits of the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. One Hit Wonders is a fun musical comedy that promises to deliver surprises and excitement. The audience will be amazed at hearing extremely popular music that they never realized was a one hit wonder. What are some of the songs? Well we want you to wonder about that. We can promise that this world premiere musical will be delivered in true Black Ensemble Theater style and leave you wanting for more.

The cast includes Yando Lopez, Claudia Cunningham, Kelvin Roston Jr., Mark J.P. Hood, Brittney Thomas, Ally Jones, Mallory Maedke, Ta-tynisa Wilson, Donald Craig Manuel, Lyle Miller and Eretha McCullough.

As with all Black Ensemble productions, the production features outstanding live music. The musicians are Music Director Robert Reddrick (drums), Justin Dillard (keyboard), Herb Walker (guitar) and Danny O'Conner (bass).

The World Premiere of
The Story of the Marvelettes
Written by Reginald Williams
Directed by Rueben D. Echoles
July 20 - September 14, 2014

They were the first ladies of Motown way before the Supremes-one of the greatest girl groups that Motown ever had, and they were called The Marvelettes.

At Last: A Tribute to Etta James
Written and Directed by Jackie Taylor
October 26 - Decembter 28, 2014

This phenomenal super star giant lives again through the pen of Jackie Taylor. Ms. Taylor brings back this Black Ensemble Classic featuring 15 of Etta James' biggest hits.

Black Ensemble Theater's New Year's Eve Celebration
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.

Nobody does New Year's Eve like Black Ensemble Theater with great entertainment, fabulous food, dancing with the stars and champagne flowing all night long! They guarantee you will have the time of your life!

As a thank you to Black Ensemble's amazing supporters, audience members will receive a free ticket to Black Ensemble's incredible New Year's Eve party when they purchase tickets to all three of Black Ensemble's remaining 2014 shows!

Tickets are available at www.blackensemble.org, (773) 769-4451 or at the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Tickets are $55 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. Tickets to New Year's Eve are $125/person or $200/couple.

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 Five 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.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space; rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage. The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), is expected in to begin construction in 2014.

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, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

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