Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...When you hear 26 of James' numbers in one show, performed at this level (Gardner captures much of the pain of experience, McCullough the sass, Taylor the sensuality), you're jolted not just by the range of a singer who truly burst out of every category, but by the recurrence of themes. Many of the songs are self-critical: "Fool That I Am," "Drown in My Own Tears." Others plead for empathy: "Don't Blame Me," "Hold Me," even "Roll With Me Henry." And a much smaller group of songs suggest fun, as in "In the Basement" ("There's no cover charge or fee and the food and drinks are free")."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Eat your heart out Beyonce. Sure, you did a great job playing Etta James in the 2008 film "Cadillac Records," and you even sang "At Last" for President Obama in 2009 (much to displeasure of James, who had made the song her anthem). But the five women now portraying the many moods, ages and musical styles of the singer in the Black Ensemble Theater show, "At Last: A Tribute to Etta James," will just blow you out of your seat. They are sensational. And why each and every one of them - including Alanna Taylor, Melanie McCullough, Candace C. Edwards, Yahdina U-Deen and Arzula Maine Gardner - is not a Broadway star defies understanding."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Taylor, who first wrote and produced the show in 2005, here again uses five "incarnations" of Etta played by five different performers to tell the singer's story, but she's updated the material to reflect James's 2012 death. Drag-queen narrator Ms. Real, reprised with enjoyable sass by Rueben D. Echoles, now takes the form of a kind of deadpanning angel, ushering the five griping Ettas into one last badass belter before the star's final ascent."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...There are also dueling-diva medleys—further boosting the title count—along with counterpoint-harmony chorales and full-cast dance numbers. Adrian Byrd, Daniel Phillips and Mark. J.P. Hood make brief appearances as assorted men figuring in our heroine's destiny, and even Robert Reddrick's band gets into the act before we're done. All said, though, the night belongs to the unflappable Ms. Real, who gets the best lines and the most elegant wardrobe."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Taylor and co-director Daryl D. Brooks keep it fun and make it fast, knowing that more than half the joy is just the music. These stirring once and future hits are perfectly preserved and presented by Robert Reddrick and his very wizard seven-man combo. Echoles proves a stitch or ten as the no-nonsense, tough-loving chanteuse of ceremonies, a sassy, brassy taskmistress who holds his own at belting, crooning, or selling a song. The feel-good affirmations embedded in the dialogue may sometimes seem pat—until the welcome numbers turn wishful thinking into industrial-strength make-believe."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...At Last succeeds as a tribute. There’s no getting around the fact that tickets are sixty dollars, so rather than treating the show as another night at the theatre, think of it as a big event. It’s worth it if you’re already an Etta James fan, and is an excellent opportunity to introduce her to someone else. The fans are likely to be enthusiastic, and you’ll feel more like you’re at a narrative-driven concert than a play."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...There is nothing like Black Ensemble Theater! The building that Jackie Taylor built was erected due to her lust for bringing stories from the music industry to life on her stage. I asked her once about the possibility of her spreading her wings and bringing in shows that are regular “book “musicals, and her immediate answer was- “Any theater can do that! Black Ensemble brings their own stories to the stage”. Guess, what she is right! While some of them are not as strong script-wise as others, one thing is for sure- the music and talents that she assembles is for lack of a better word “WOW“!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Jackie Taylor’s rousing tribute to one of music’s most popular, unquestionably talented performers has been updated since first produced back in 2005. Backed by Robert Reddrick’s talented, hard-working seven-member musical combo, five very talented ladies provide a somewhat long, entertaining evening of song and dance. This buffet of rock and roll, blues, jazz and gospel, with a heavy helping of soul, makes for a fine celebration of the unequalled Etta James, who has returned to Chicago, “At Last.”"
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The performers are Arzula Maxine Gardner, Yahdina Udeen, Candace Edwards, Melanie McCullough, and Alanna Taylor. Talent wise I couldn’t split them. They are all terrific. Pushed to the wall, I’d make McCullough the first among equals because of her sassy humor. And her rendition of the James hit “I’d Rather Go Blind” was hair raising in its intensity and had the audience roaring. But they all had ovation-gathering spotlight solos and joined for some stomping ensemble pieces. For the record, the male cameos are contributed by Daniel Phillips, Mark Hood, and Adrian Byrd."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Taylor’s script cites multiple times that it’s hard to pay tribute to someone one doesn’t really know. What makes this show great is not just the twenty-plus renditions of Etta James recordings, but the history behind the music that’s included. The fact that it’s all brought to life by a remarkable cast, a phenomenal band (led by Robert Reddrick), and two great co-directors (Jackie Taylor and Daryl Brooks), makes “At Last: A Tribute to Etta James” a fitting celebration of a woman who is truly legendary."
