Fridays on the Green: The McNary Experience
The McNary Experience is a Chicago-based band led by lead vocalist Qiana McNary, a frequent performer in Black Ensemble Theater productions. The band features musicians...
Black Ensemble Theater
4450 N. Clark StreetChicago, IL
Upcoming Shows
Fridays on the Green: Mark Felton
Composer and saxophonist Mark Allen Felton, also known as Panther, is a featured musician at Black Ensemble Theater, having played tenor and alto saxophone in...
Fridays on the Green: Black Ensemble All-Stars
Celebrating 50 years of history at Black Ensemble Theater, the Black Ensemble All-Stars will perform some of the greatest hits from previous productions. Featuring Black...
Review: IN THE CONTINUUM at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
In The Continuum is an unapologetic show about the way Black women are forced to navigate the world — and how our experiences are all connected, even, or especially, when we feel isolated and alone. …
Review: Heart of Gold's AN INTERVENTION at Pierce Hall At The Historic Chicago Temple Building
The 2014 award-winning and timeless dramatic comedy by Mike Bartlett remains ever relevant today as we explore interventions on multiple fronts. …
Review: Babes with Blades' YO HO at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater
Babes With Blades Theatre Company opens its 2026 season with yo ho, a captivating reimagining of historical fantasy full of over-the-top comedy, sexual tensions, and touching portrayals and celebrations of queer love.…
Review: HAIR at Kokandy Productions
Kokandy's Hair may be missing the sense of daring and immediacy that has defined their other recent critical successes, but it can still be a good time for those in search of familiar earworms sung beautifully.…
Review: CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC at Studebaker Theater
Champions of Magic is entertainment in its purest form for patrons of all ages and will have everyone leaving the theater bursting with youthful energy and amazement. …
Review: 4 Chairs Theatre's GOOD PEOPLE at Theater Wit
Under the gripping direction of 4 Chairs Theatre founder Lauren Berman, Good People takes us into the blue-collar heart of South Boston and the residents who can’t catch a break — and those who can. …
Review: THE BEST OF WOMEN OFF-COLOUR at The Second City
The Best of Women Off-Colour is a fast-paced, carefully curated show that is the perfect blend of race, culture, gender, and politics.…
Review: & JULIET Presented by Broadway In Chicago
On its second Chicago engagement, & Juliet remains a glittering, joyous confection of a jukebox musical — and this time it features iconic boy band member Joey Fatone…
Review: Raven Theatre's OCTET at Goodman Theatre
I loved Dave Molloy’s inventive and captivating a cappella musical Octet at Raven Theatre so much that here I am, reviewing it a second time in short succession now that it’s moved to the Goodman’s Owen Theatre. Director Keira Fromm leads an ensemble of eight that shines just as brightly in th…
Review: 52 LOVERS at Chicago Magic Lounge
52 Lovers is a thoroughly entertaining, surprisingly introspective, and profoundly motivational show, complete with a dash of subtle absurdist humor, plenty of magical amazement, and all around simple fun.…
Past Shows
The Jackie Wilson Story
Black Ensemble Theater presents the return of one of its biggest national hits, The Jackie Wilson Story, written and directed by Founder & CEO Jackie Taylor, March 7-April...
A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular 2025
A Joyful Celebration of Music, Magic & Community. Get ready to deck the halls and lift your spirits with Black Ensemble’s Holiday Extravaganza—a heartwarming, high-energy musical...
Blue Heaven
A Soulful Journey of Redemption, Reflection, and the Power of the Blues. Told through electrifying performances and soul-stirring blues, Blue Heaven shines a light on...
That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti
Black Ensemble Theater presents the world premiere of an uplifting musical celebration, highlighting the lives and careers of iconic music legends Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick,...
Hitt Records
Hitt Records is a new musical revue that explores the rich history of music through the lens of a vintage record shop owned by characters...
Sounds So good, Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. Nu Skool)
The fictional story of Sam King and his singing group, The Harmonies. The Harmonies emulated every popular group from the 1960s. The Harmonies made money,...
The Other Cinderella
Jackie Taylor's The Other Cinderella is the most popular production produced by the Black Ensemble Theater. This most celebrated Black fairy tale returns to the...
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EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase Raue Center For The Arts (8/07-8/07) |
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Fleetwood Max Raue Center For The Arts (10/03-10/03) |
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Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24) |
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The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Raue Center For The Arts (9/25-9/25) |
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Memphis The Musical Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building (10/24-10/25) |
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for colored girls who considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf eta Creative Arts Foundation (8/01-8/30) |
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Gala! JUBALEE Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago (8/06-8/06) |
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The Outsiders The Cadillac Palace Theatre (8/04-8/16) |
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Rendezvous with Rachel Revere™ Glencoe Public Library (8/18-8/18) |
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Vape! The Grease Parody Apollo Theater (8/20-1/03) |