Black Ensemble Theater's FROM DOO WOP TO HIP HOP Begins 2/15

Black Ensemble Theater presents the world premiere of From Doo Wop to Hip Hop, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and Associate Director Rueben Echoles and produced by Jackie Taylor. From Doo Wop to Hip Hop will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 15 - April 24, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3:00PM.

From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is the story of the people who live in the highly affluent neighborhood of Unison Hills, an integrated neighborhood made up of people from the music industry. The older folks have all lived their dreams of stardom, and the younger folks are reaching for theirs. The Whites and Blacks who live in Unison Hills have a very special bond, until tragedy hits, a racial tragedy that tears their congenial neighborhood apart. From Doo Wop To Hip Hop is filled with rich music. Audiences can expect to hear Doo Wop classics representing such groups as The Platters, The Drifters, The Chiffons and The Shirelles. The Hip Hop era will be represented through music by such Hip Hop greats as Ludacris, Jay-Z and Kanye West, just to name a few.

"From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is part of the Black Ensemble's 36th Season of Excellence titled, 'Treasures and Tributes.' This Black Ensemble treasure (originally Doo Wop Shoo Bop) is being rewritten and updated for the 2013 production," says Jackie Taylor. "With this production, we celebrate music that every generation will enjoy. As always at Black Ensemble, we are bringing audiences of different generations and races together to experience a universal story with exceptional music like you won't hear anywhere else in Chicago."

As with all Black Ensemble Theater Productions, Robert Reddrick will serve as musical director. The Black Ensemble Musicians include Robert Reddrick on drums, Tracy Baker on bass, HerBert Walker on guitar, and Mark Moultrup and Andrea Moore on piano.

The cast includes: David Simmons, Monty Montgomery, Christopher Straw, Dwight Neal, Matthew Payne, Kelvin Roston Jr., Brandon Holmes, Lawrence Williams, Corey Wright, Cynthia Carter, Erin O'Shea, John Keating, Megan Murphy, Lisa Beasley, Danielle Davis and Marquicia Jordan.

The creative team includes Rueben Echoles (Choreography), Daryl Brooks (Production Manager), Dave Ferguson (Set Design), Denise Karczewski (Lights), Mike Pierce and Les Spires (Sound), June Saito (Costumes), Helen Latyak (Props), CoCo Lemry (Scenic Painter). Bekki Lambrecht is the Technical Director, Emily Wall is the company stage manager and Victoria Spires is the Equity Stagemanager.

773-769-4451 or online at www.blackensemble.org.