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BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER

4450 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL

Upcoming Shows

The Jackie Wilson Story
The Jackie Wilson Story
Mar 7 – Apr 26, 2026

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...



Review: JOFFREY BALLET AMERICAN ICONS at Lyric Opera Of Chicago


by Tina St. Angelo - February 23, 2026

The Joffrey Ballet is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The current offering is called Icons. What a gift to the audience. I don’t know if Robert Joffrey had any idea what his company has become. Icons recreate 4 different ballets from different decades over the 20th Century....

Review: THE DANCE OF DEATH at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


by Rachel Weinberg - February 19, 2026

When I think of Steppenwolf, I often think of family members crying, screaming at one another, or some combination of the two. So the sparring between spouses Alice and Captain Edgar in August Strindberg’s 1900 play THE DANCE OF DEATH feels right at home. In a surprisingly funny and sharp version ...

Review: DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Paramount Theatre


by Tina St. Angelo - February 17, 2026

What did our critic think of DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Paramount Theatre Aurora IL?...

Review: HAMNET at Chicago Shakespeare Theater


by Rachel Weinberg - February 14, 2026

Royal Shakespeare Company’s HAMNET is a dramatic and languid stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 buzzy novel of the same name....

Review: THE OUTSIDERS First National Tour Presented by Broadway in Chicago


by Rachel Weinberg - February 13, 2026

THE OUTSIDERS presents an original and vibrant stage adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic 1967 novel about the conflict between Tulsa teen gangs the Greasers and the Socs (short for socialites). The musical — and particularly director Danya Taymor’s inventive and visually dynamic staging — pu...

Review: ON YOUR FEET! at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL


by Tina St. Angelo - February 12, 2026

What did our critic think of ON YOUR FEET! at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL?...

Review: HOLIDAY at Goodman Theatre


by Rachel Weinberg - February 10, 2026

Goodman Theatre continues its centennial season with the endearing and lively romantic comedy HOLIDAY....

Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL


by Tina St. Angelo - February 07, 2026

What did our critic think of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL?...

Review: DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at Lazy Susan Theatre Co.


by Misha Davenport - February 07, 2026

What did our critic think of DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at Lazy Susan Theatre Co.?...

Review: STEREOPHONIC National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago


by Rachel Weinberg - January 29, 2026

David Adjmi’s STEREOPHONIC pulls back the curtain on making a rock album — with all of the minute details, inane band member conversations, and painstaking, spirited artistic conversations that come with it. It centers on an unnamed Fleetwood Mac-esque band in the late 1970s as they record (and ...

Past Shows

A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular 2025
A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular 2025
Nov 29 – Dec 21, 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
Blue Heaven
Sep 6 – Oct 26, 2025

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
Jun 7 – Jul 27, 2025

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
Dec 21 – Jan 26, 2025

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)
Sounds So good, Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. Nu Skool)
Feb 12 – Feb 27, 2011

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
The Other Cinderella
Dec 28 – Feb 1, 2011

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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