Photo Flash: First Look at Black Ensemble Theater's THE MARVIN GAYE STORY

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin GayeStory (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

The cast includes: Rashawn Thompson (Marvin Gaye), Yahdina Udeen (Alberta Gaye), TBA (Marvin Gaye Sr.), Rueben Echoles (Barry Gordy),Kevin Patterson (Frankie Gaye), Melanie McCullough (Tammi Terrell/Jan Gaye), Trequon Tate (Harvey Fuqua), Kyle Smith (Ensemble), Dennis Dent (Ensemble), Dawn Bless (Ensemble) , Katrina Richard (Ensemble) , Renelle Nichole (Ensemble) and Brandon LaVell (Ensemble.)

As with all Black Ensemble productions, the production features the Black Ensemble Theater Musicians. The Musical Director is Robert Reddrick(drums) and the musicians include Mark Miller (bass), Gary Baker (guitar) Clovise Bordeaux (piano), and Paul Howard (trumpet),Dudley Owens(saxophone) and Bill McFarland (trombone).

The designers are Ruthanne Swanson (costumes), Denise Karczewski (lighting/set), Aaron Quick (sound and projection) and CoCo Ree Lemery(scenic artist). The production stage manager is Bekki Lembrecht and the Equity stage manager and production manager is Daryl Brooks. Caswell James is the Technical Director.

Photo Credit: Danny Nicholas