Photo Flash: First Look at Black Ensemble Theater's AIN'T NO CRYIN' THE BLUES

Ain't No Crying the Blues (In The Memory of Howlin Wolf), written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, is directed by Associate Director Rueben Echoles, with assistant director Associate Director Daryl Brooks and musical director Robert Reddrick. The show is currently running through August 11, 2013, at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

When Rick Stone first performed as Howlin Wolf at Black Ensemble, Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "It's Rick Stone who consistently knocks your socks off in his terrifically sustained performance. And as he moves through Wolf's hits-Red Rooster, Goin' Down Slow, I Ain't Superstitious, Baby Please Don't Go and more-it's the audience that begins howlin' loudest." Now Rick Stone returns to do it again with this brand new script, reflecting the life and times of one of the greatest blues singers the world has ever known-Howlin Wolf.

Howlin Wolf's was born "Chester Arthur Burnett" and became one of the greatest and most influential blues singers that ever lived. Wolf was inducted into the Blues Foundations Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. His musical influences can be heard in the country singers of the 1950's to the punk blues bands of the 1990's. Wolf was highly known for his dynamic stage energy and presence - from crawling around the stage to climbing up the stage curtains. No performance would be complete without his infamous howl.

Featuring: Rick Stone (Howlin' Wolf), Kylah Williams (Lillie Wolf), Dwight Neal (Muddy Waters), and RaShawn Thompson (Hubert Sumlin), with Claudia Alexandria Cunningham, Cecil Jones,Raymond Wise, Theo Huff, Cynthia Carter, Danielle Davis, Michael Reckling and Mark Hood.

Orchestra: Tracey Baker (bass), Robert Reddrick (drums), HerBert Walker (guitar), Oscar Brown (guitar),Mark Moutrup (piano)

Other Creative Team: Denise Karczewski (Lights), Kristy Leigh Hall (Costumes), Helen Latyak (Props), CoCo Lemry(Scenic Painter), Bekki Lambrect (Technical Director), Emily Wall (Stage Manager)

Schedule: Wed & Thurs: 7:30 p.m.; Friday: 8:00 p.m.; Saturday: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday: 3:00 p.m. Valet parking is available. Ticket prices: Previews: $45; Regular Run: $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. Preview tickets are $45.00. Box Office: 773-769-4451 or online at www.blackensemble.org.

Photo Credit: Danny Nicholas