Review: Women of Soul (WITH A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN)

Women of Soul (With A Tribute To Aretha Franklin) by Daryl Brooks

Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago, Il, USA,  Oct 28, 2018

by Maja Rios

The opening matinee of musical, “Women Of Soul was a colorful palette of 9 singers, past and present.The singers that were portrayed, included, Teena Marie(With Rick James), Adele, Amy Winehouse, Etta James, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Donna Summer, Anita Baker, Vesta Williams, Denise Williams, Mary J Blige, Mahalia Jackson, Betty Wright, Janis Joplin, and Aretha Franklin.

Narration and dialogue were sparse between numbers but brought out important facts about the individual singers’ lives between song selections. The two and a half hour show went by quickly.

The excellent band was led by long-time Black Ensemble drummer and music director, Robert Reddrick, along with musicians on guitar, keyboard, and bass. All singers were good and embodied their individual character with a lot of soul and appeared to be cast also for match of “body-type” to real singer.

My favorite singer was Robin DaSilva, who did an outstanding job with a thick, rich gospel voice, portraying, Mahalia Jackson. I also loved the one male singer in the show, who portrayed singer Rick James with Teena Marie character, on the song, “Fire and Desire”, Dwight Neal. Finally, another favorite was Jessica Seals, who portrayed doo-wop singer, Betty Wright on a great rendition of her hit, “Tonight Is The Night”

With great costumes by Rueben Echoles, good dancing, and overall fun, the show held audience attention for two and half hours. Photos of actual singers blown up on a backdrop, were a nice addition to the stage set during each song. Narration between songs was excellent by several of the actors. A good time was had by all.

Women of Soul (With a Tribute to Aretha Franklin)
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center
4450 N. Clark Street
Thurs at 7:30; Fri at 8; Sat at 3 & 8; Sun at 3
ends on January 27, 2019
for tickets, call 773.769.4451 or visit Black Ensemble Theater

for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago