Photo Flash: Black Ensemble's LAST DANCER STANDING Opens Sunday

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop), written, directed, and choreographed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. Last Dancer Standing (More than Hip Hop) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 22 - September 3, 2017.

From Black Ensemble Theater's Associate Director Rueben Echoles comes a world premiere musical that speaks to audiences of all ages. Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop) gives us a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes world of the newest (fictional) reality dance competition. Ten of the finest dancers from all across the country-and all different walks of life-battle it out for a chance to win $10,000 and an opportunity to tour with R&B singing sensation Justin Paul. Like most reality shows "Last Dancer Standing" has its full share of humor, tension, drama and conflict. It's reality TV live on the stage. At the core of the show are ten dancer/actors challenged with all types of routines from hip hop to ballet and everything in between. Who will survive and win? That's up to our live studio audience. Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop) is a journey where we learn that no matter what our circumstances are in life, we have much more in common than we think we do.

The cast of Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop) includes Shari Addison, Alexis Aker, Brian Boller, KAyla Brown, Deverin Deonte, Charlotte Drover, Lemond Hayes, Devin Joyner, Shonee Muse, Brian Nelson, Renelle Nicole, Linnea Norwood, Alexis J. Roston, Jessica Seals, Gregory "Henri" Slater, Levi Stewart Jr., Trequon Tate, Andre Teamer, Lauren Well, Junior White and Kylah Williams.

The production team of Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop) includes Bekki Lambrecht (Scenic Design), Denise Karczewski (Scenic and Lighting Design), Cherise Thomas (Costume Design), Aaron Quick (Sound and Projection Design), Paul Kartcheske (General Manager and Technical Director), Tanya Harry (Stage Manager), Daryl Brooks (Equity Stage Manager and Production Manager).

As always, the production features a live band under the direction of Robert Reddrick (Music Director, Arranger, Drums). The band also includes Danny (Smoke) O'Connor (Bass), Oscar Brown (Guitar) and Adam Sherrod (Keyboard).

Tickets are available at the Black Ensemble Box Office located at 4450 N. Clark St in Chicago, or online at www.blackensemble.org, or by phone at (773) 769-4451. Tickets are $45 for previews (May 6, 7, 12 and 13, 2017); $55 (Thursdays and Saturday matinees) and $65 (Fridays, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees). There is a 10% discount for students, seniors and groups.

Andre Teamer, Lauren Wells, Deverin Deonte

Linnea Norwood, Lemond A. Hayes, Kylah Frye, Levi Stewart Jr.

(Standing) Junior White, Charlotte Drover, Brian Nelson, Alexis Aker, Trequon Tate, Shonee Muse, Alexis J. Roston, Brian Boller, Devin Joyner, Michael Adkins, Linnea Norwood, Lemond A. Hayes, (Obstructed â€" Renelle Nicole) Jessica Seals

Alexis Aker, Linnea Norwood, Junior White

Junior White, Linnea Norwood, Kylah Frye, Charlotte Drover, Lemond A. Hayes, Brian Nelson, Levi Stewart Jr., Renelle Nicole

Andre Teamer, Lauren Wells, Deverin Deonte’, Linnea Norwood, Lemond A. Hayes, Kylah Frye

Deverin Deonte’ and cast

Alexis Aker, Trequon Tate, Shonee Muse, Alexis J. Roston, Devin Joyner, Michael Adkins