Cynthia Carter

Black Ensemble Theater Will Present BLUE HEAVEN
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 22, 2025

Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago will present Blue Heaven, a new original musical written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks, running September 6 – October 26, 2025.

10th Annual BELTING FOR LIFE to Return to Chicago in May at Evanston SPACE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2025

Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, will return with the 10th annual Belting for Life in May. This year's milestone event has a new home at Evanston SPACE. Learn how to attend.

Black Ensemble Theater to Present THE SALON Beginning Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron - May 20, 2024

Black Ensemble Theater has announced the next production in the 2024 Season of Affirmation: Protection – The Salon, written and directed by Michelle Reneé Bester.

9th Annual BELTING FOR LIFE Benefit Concert to Take Place at Mercury Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 4, 2024

Join the 9th annual BELTING FOR LIFE benefit concert, presented by Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik, supporting the AIDS Foundation Chicago. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Cassadee Pope, Bourke Floyd, and More Join ONLY HOPE: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO A WALK TO REMEMBER
by Stephi Wild - Feb 8, 2024

Full casting has been revealed for the Nashville premiere of ONLY HOPE: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO A WALK TO REMEMBER. Learn more about who is joining the cast here!

Jackie Taylor's THE OTHER CINDERELLA to be Presented at Black Ensemble Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2023

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER will conclude its 2023 season with the holiday favorite, THE OTHER CINDERELLA, written and directed by Jackie Taylor.

Review: BIG RIVER at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Apr 30, 2023

Mercury’s production has some fabulous performances, but it doesn’t entirely answer the question of why BIG RIVER needed to be brought out of the archives.

Photos: Mercury Theatre Chicago Opens BIG RIVER On April 27
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2023

Mercury Theater has released first look production photos from Big River, a musical based on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

BELTING FOR LIFE to Return With 8th Annual Event in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2023

Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 8th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on Monday, May 15 at 7:30pm at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston, Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the beloved benefit concert.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast of BIG RIVER
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2023

Mercury Theater Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Kristi J. Martens and Executive Producers L. Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon has announced the cast and creative team for Big River, a musical based on Mark Twain's timeless classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

BELTING FOR LIFE Returns In-Person For The 7th Annual Event In Support Of Howard Brown Health 
by A.A. Cristi - May 2, 2022

Chicago's favorite evening of big voices for a big cause, returns with the 7th annual Belting for Life. For one night only on May 16 at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre.

BWW Review: WOMEN OF SOUL at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Feb 4, 2022

WOMEN OF SOUL delivers the kind of high-energy tribute that makes up the best kind of revue, and the songs are irresistible.

Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Casting And Artists for WOMEN OF SOUL
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 7, 2022

Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter, Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran, and Executive Producers Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon announce the cast and creative team for the next Mainstage production of the 2021-2022 Mercury Theater Chicago season, Women of Soul, featuring a special tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Porchlight Revisits NUNSENSE Opens Tonight For Three Performances
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 18, 2021

Porchlight Music Theatre begins its eighth season of Chicago's “lost” musicals series with Porchlight Revisits Nunsense, book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin+ with direction by Michelle Lauto*, musical direction by Kailey Rockwell* and choreography by Jenna Schoppe*.

Porchlight Music Theatre Announces Cast And Creative Team For Porchlight Revisits NUNSENSE!
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2021

Porchlight Music Theatre begins its eighth season of Chicago's “lost” musicals series with Porchlight Revisits Nunsense, book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin+ with direction by Michelle Lauto*, musical direction by Kailey Rockwell* and choreography by Jenna Schoppe*.

Photo Flash: BELTING FOR LIFE, A Howard Brown Health Fundraiser Premieres This Sunday
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2021

Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the 6th annual Belting for Life (formerly known as Chris’ Birthday Belt Fest), an annual benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ organizations. 

Black Ensemble to Host SOUL OF A POWERFUL WOMAN Benefit, May 23
by A.A. Cristi - May 10, 2021

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces Jackie Taylor's Soul of A Powerful Woman (Her To Save The World), now in its eighth year. The virtual one-night fundraising event to benefit Black Ensemble Theater will be live on May 23 at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook and Youtube.

BELTING FOR LIFE Premieres May 16 to Raise Funds Virtually For Howard Brown Health
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2021

Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the 6th annual Belting for Life (formerly known as Chris' Birthday Belt Fest), an annual benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, one of the nation's largest LGBTQ organizations.

Black Ensemble Announce 2020 Holiday Extravaganza
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2020

The acclaimed Black Ensemble Theater, led by Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, is celebrating the 2020 Holiday season with The Black Ensemble Virtual Holiday Extravaganza, written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks.

Janel Parrish and Brian Logan Dales to Star in A WALK TO REMEMBER at Rockwell Table & Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 14, 2020

Adapted and directed for the stage by Jordan Ross Schindler (co-creator of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, The Unauthorized O.C. Musical), A Walk to Remember: The Unauthorized Musical will return to the Rockwell Table & Stage just in time for Valentine's Day with a limited five performance encore beginning Tuesday, February 11th.