Rashawn Thompson News

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  The official press opening is Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 3:00pm. 

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  

Teddy Pendergrass was considered to be soul music's number one sex symbol in the '70s with songs like "Turn Off The Lights," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and "Wake Up Everybody." He was on top of the world and at the height of his career in 1982 when a devastating car accident left him a quadriplegic. Teddy Pendergrass passed away in 2010 having lived with his challenge for 28 years. His story demonstrates that the greatness of the human spirit will never be defeated, no matter the challenges that we face in life.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin GayeStory (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) withThe Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Black Ensemble Theater's 40th anniversary season opens with audience-favorites Doo Wop Shoo Bop and Those Sensational Soulful '60s, running in repertory. Both shows opened today, February 21st. Scroll down to see photos of the productions!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Wiz Live!' has arrived, as have the casts of three tours to the Loop. 'Bridges' is in Iowa, though. The Marriott takes on 'Spring Awakening,' and the Piccolo Theatre, Congo Square and Theo Ubique do December in their own ways. The Second City opens another revue, and in Milwaukee, 'My Fair Lady!'

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's all about musical legends! 'Men Of Soul,' 'All Shook Up,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Million Dollar Quartet' and 'Bette' show showbiz as it was. Also on our boards: '[title of show],' 'Madame Pompadour' and 'Clue,' plus revisiting 'Eastland' and preparing to see the 'October Sky.'

Black Ensemble Theater announces the extension of its production The Jackie Wilson Story, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. All cast members are continuing in their roles, including Kelvin Roston Jr., Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Melanie McCullough, Trinity Murdock, Carrie, Lawrence Williams, Lyle Miller, Rueben Echols and Robin Beamen. The Jackie Wilson Story launched Black Ensemble Theater's 2011-2012 Legendary Season of Rhythm & Blues and has been extended through March 18, 2012.

Black Ensemble Theater, under the direction of founder & CEO Jackie Taylor, will host a special one night-only Valentine's Day event featuring some of the most famous love songs of all time performed by Black Ensemble performers Rick Stone, Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Lyle Miller, Melanie McCullough, David Simmons, Theo Huff, Katrina Miller, Lawrence Williams, Rueben Echoles, Carrie Abernathy, Stori Johnson and Daryl Brooks. The one-night only cabaret is February 14, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Black Ensemble Theater announces the extension of its production The Jackie Wilson Story, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. All cast members are continuing in their roles, including Kelvin Roston Jr., Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Melanie McCullough, Trinity Murdock, Carrie, Lawrence Williams, Lyle Miller, Rueben Echols and Robin Beamen. The Jackie Wilson Story launched Black Ensemble Theater's 2011-2012 Legendary Season of Rhythm & Blues and has been extended through March 18, 2012.

Black Ensemble Theater, under the direction of founder & CEO Jackie Taylor, will host a special one night-only Valentine's Day event featuring some of the most famous love songs of all time performed by Black Ensemble performers Rick Stone, Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Lyle Miller, Melanie McCullough, David Simmons, Theo Huff, Katrina Miller, Lawrence Williams, Rueben Echoles, Carrie Abernathy, Stori Johnson and Daryl Brooks. The one-night only cabaret is February 14, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Jackie Taylor, founder and executive director of Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater, is proud to announce the World Premiere presentation of I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass). Produced, written and directed by Taylor, and featuring three new songs penned by Pendergrass and co-writer Bill Jolly, I Am Who I Am, begins previews March 7 at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon Street, with an official press opening on Saturday, March 15, at 8PM. Of note, a special Gala Opening benefit performance, with Teddy Pendergrass in attendance, will take place Sunday, March 16, at 3PM.