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Black Ensemble Theater

4450 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL

Review: THE BIRTH OF THE PILL at TimeLine Theatre Company

Review: THE BIRTH OF THE PILL at TimeLine Theatre Company

by Rachel Weinberg · September 18, 2026

TimeLine Theatre Company’s The Birth of the Pill takes some big swings...and sometimes misses. Adapted for the stage by Jessica Huang from Jonathan Eig’s book, it’s certainly relevant now. And Huang’s script takes “A People’s History of the United States” approach to storytelling. The …

Review: Kokandy Productions' JEKYLL & HYDE at Broadway In Chicago

Review: Kokandy Productions' JEKYLL & HYDE at Broadway In Chicago

by Rachel Weinberg · September 17, 2026

Jekyll & Hyde is rarely produced, and Kokandy brings it to vivid life in this new, larger venue. As Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and Lucy, David Moreland and Ava Lane Stovall really lead the way for the ensemble with their captivating performances. And in its most compelling moments, this Jekyll & Hyde truly…

Review: THE ATTIC at Goodman Theatre

Review: THE ATTIC at Goodman Theatre

by Rachel Weinberg · September 16, 2026

The Attic: Things I’ve Seen While Lying On My Back is genuinely a unique experience at the Goodman. The 7 Fingers Co-Founder Shana Carroll wrote, directed, and choreographed this world-premiere autobiographical performance piece that shares vignettes from her life story. An international company o…

Review: Idle Muse Theatre Company's WITCH at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater

Review: Idle Muse Theatre Company's WITCH at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater

by Emily Werner · September 14, 2026

“What do you want?” It’s the question at the heart of Witch, Idle Muse Theatre Company’s fall production. Adapted by playwright Jen Silverman from the Jacobean drama The Witch of Edmonton, the play transforms a centuries-old tale of ambition, jealousy, witchcraft, and desire into a provocati…

Review: BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA at A Red Orchid Theatre

Review: BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA at A Red Orchid Theatre

by Rachel Weinberg · September 11, 2026

Birds of North America is a touching and supremely well-acted two hander. A Red Orchid Theatre’s return engagement reunites Cassidy Slaughter-Mason and John Judd as father-daughter duo Caitlyn and John, directed by Artistic Diretor Kirsten Fitzgerald. Over the course of roughly 10 years, Caitlyn a…

Review: VAPE! A GREASE MUSICAL PARODY at The Apollo Theater

Review: VAPE! A GREASE MUSICAL PARODY at The Apollo Theater

by Angela Lin · September 8, 2026

The Grease Parody musical shows love and respect to its imitation the best way it knows how — with creative commentary, meta music, and joyous jokes that are sure to make you chuckle, laugh, or anything in between.…

Past Shows

Fridays on the Green: Black Ensemble All-Stars

Aug 28

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 Ensemble's signature band and a cast of favorite performers, this musical celebration is designed for all...

Fridays on the Green: Mark Felton

Aug 21

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 productions such as The Jackie Wilson Story and You Can't Fake the Funk. A veteran of the music industry, Felton has...

Fridays on the Green: The McNary Experience

Aug 14

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 on bass guitar, keys, drums, lead guitar, and two background vocalists, performing a wide variety of music...

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 26, 2026 at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Originally premiering at Black...

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 celebration perfect for the whole family! Featuring your favorite Black Ensemble performers, this...

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 our shared humanity, reminding us that shame, regret, and pain can be steppingstones to something far...

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, and Gladys Knight. Written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks, the show takes audiences backstage as the...

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 James and Charles Hitt. As they share their vast knowledge with their nephew and patrons, the audience is treated to beloved hits from...

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, but never made it big - they were the opening act, but never the star attraction. King and his group are still together, not...

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 stage every two years and this will mark Cinderella's sixteenth triumphant return. We always feature some new...

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Fleetwood Max in Chicago Fleetwood Max
Raue Center For The Arts (10/03-10/03)
Love Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift in Chicago Love Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Raue Center For The Arts (11/07-11/07)
Mean Girls in Chicago Mean Girls
Paramount Theatre (8/26-10/11)
Million Dollar Quartet in Chicago Million Dollar Quartet
Stolp Island Theatre (10/07-1/03)
Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash in Chicago Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash
Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24)
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band in Chicago The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Raue Center For The Arts (9/25-9/25)
Blond Ambition: A Tribute to Madonna in Chicago Blond Ambition: A Tribute to Madonna
Raue Center For The Arts (11/07-11/07)
Memphis The Musical in Chicago Memphis The Musical
Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building (10/24-10/25)
Simply Billy: A Tribute to Billy Joel in Chicago Simply Billy: A Tribute to Billy Joel
Raue Center For The Arts (10/17-10/17)
King Lear in Chicago King Lear
Babes With Blades Theatre Company (10/15-11/21)