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Black Ensemble Theater

4450 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL



Review: UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY at Lookingglass Theatre Company


by Rachel Weinberg - June 17, 2026

Untitled Vampire Play — a world premiere from Lookingglass ensemble member Kevin Douglas — is a fun, wacky romp. The play doesn’t take itself seriously, and director Devon de Mayo’s cast has plenty of fun with vampire and human antics alike. Douglas’s script draws on all sorts of vampire l...

Review: CATCH AS CATCH CAN at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


by Rachel Weinberg - June 15, 2026

I left Catch as Catch Can at Steppenwolf Theatre Company on Sunday night wondering exactly what I had just seen, and what, if anything, I was meant to take from it....

Review: LEOPOLDSTADT at Writers Theatre


by Rachel Weinberg - June 14, 2026

Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt follows multiple generations of an Austrian Jewish family from prosperity to despair — spanning over 50 years from 1899 to 1955. Now in its Chicago-area premiere at Writers Theatre, the late Stoppard’s final play includes a cast of 24 actors and many, many character...

Review: TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS at The Factory Theater


by Emily Werner - June 13, 2026

What did our critic think of TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS at The Factory Theater?...

Review: THE PRODUCERS at BrightSide Theatre


by Tina St. Angelo - June 13, 2026

What did our critic think of THE PRODUCERS at BrightSide Theatre?...

Review: SMILEY at Open Space Arts


by Angela Lin - June 13, 2026

We might not know if our relationships will have a happy ending, but we can guarantee a happy beginning. At the end of the day, isn’t that all we can ask for?...

Review: ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: THE COCAINE PLAY at Jackalope Theatre


by Emily Werner - June 05, 2026

What did our critic think of ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: THE COCAINE PLAY at Jackalope Theatre?...

Review: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN at Chicago Shakespeare Theater


by Rachel Weinberg - June 05, 2026

Rugged masculinity meets forbidden queer romance in Brokeback Mountain. Based on Annie Proulx’s short story (which was adapted into a buzzy 2005 film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger), Ashley Robinson’s play follows the clandestine romance between ranchers Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar o...

Review: DAMN YANKEES at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre


by Angela Lin - June 01, 2026

If you’ve ever been so invested in something — particularly sports — that it starts to dictate your mood, consume your everyday life, and affect your relationship, then you might be able to relate to Damn Yankees, now playing at the Theo’s Fred Anzevino Theatre. ...

Review: MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT Presented by Broadway In Chicago


by Rachel Weinberg - May 21, 2026

Monty Python’s Spamalot is a jubilant and genuinely hilarious touring rendition of the 2023 Broadway revival. If you’re looking for hearty laughs and a winning combo of slapstick humor,witty pop culture, and musical theater references, Spamalot’s got it in spades....

Past 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...

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...

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...

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...

Videos


EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase in Chicago EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase
Raue Center For The Arts (8/07-8/07)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Chicago Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Catalyst Ranch (7/09-7/26) PHOTOS
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. in Chicago R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
North Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (7/25-7/25)
Talking About Godard in Chicago Talking About Godard
Curious Theatre Branch (5/29-6/28)
High School Musical in Chicago High School Musical
Al Larson Cultural Center (8/01-8/09)
The Little Mermaid: a staged concert in Chicago The Little Mermaid: a staged concert
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (1/29-2/14)
RCSA presents Hadestown: Teen Edition in Chicago RCSA presents Hadestown: Teen Edition
Raue Center For The Arts (7/10-7/18)
Greenroom Improv in Chicago Greenroom Improv
Raue Center For The Arts (10/10-10/10)
The Book of Mormon in Chicago The Book of Mormon
Cadillac Palace Theatre (10/23-11/01)
American English in Chicago American English
Raue Center For The Arts (12/31-12/31)