Jackie Taylor

Black Ensemble Theater Company Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor has announced the schedule for the company's 31st season, offering an ambitious lineup of five new productions which pay tribute to the lives, music and history of great African American male artists. The 2007 season of excellence, "Dedicated to the Men," begins in February - Black History Month - with Memphis Soul Stew (The Story of Stax Records). In April, the company will debut I Gotcha paying tribute to songwriter Joe Tex, followed in June by Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler, which highlights the men of Motown. September will bring to the stage Turn Out the Lights (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass); the season concludes in November of 2007 with A Tribute to the Black Crooner. All performances will be at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon in Chicago.

"Last season we showcased phenomenal African American women- now it's the men's turn," said Taylor. "These World Premiere productions focus on a few of the male legends whose visions empower and inspire generations of people."

Three of the productions scheduled for this season are a result of the Black Ensemble New Playwright's Initiative that debuted in 2003: Memphis Soul Stew (The Story of Stax Records), I Gotcha, and A Tribute to the Black Crooner. The Initiative was formed to nurture emerging playwrights as they develop their talents and provide a forum to see their works produced.

Black Ensemble Theater Company 2007 Season

Memphis Soul Stew (The Story of Stax Records)
Previews begin Saturday, February 10, 2007
Written by David Barr
Directed by Jackie Taylor
Just in time for Stax Records' 50th Anniversary in 2007, the great music of Johnny Taylor, the incredible sounds of the Staple Singers, and the style changing music of Rufus Thomas and other soul artists of the Stax era are depicted here in this David Barr original, written specifically for the Black Ensemble Theater.

I Gotcha
Previews begin April 7, 2007
Written by Joe Plummer
Directed by Reuben Echoles
The great Joe Tex wrote "Skinny Legs and All," "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It," "Show Me," "Hold On To What You Got" and a dozen more hit songs. I Gotcha depicts the genius of the man and the history of his music.

Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler
Previews begin June 23, 2007
Written and Directed by Jackie Taylor
This story highlights the men of Motown during its most prolific era- the 1960's. Featured artists include The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

Turn Out the Lights: The Story of Teddy Pendergrass
Previews begin September 8, 2007
Written and Directed by Jackie Taylor
One of the greatest love balladeers in the world, this insightful musical venture will help us to understand the soul of Teddy Pendergrass.

A Tribute to the Black Crooner
Previews begin November 17, 2007
Directed by Reuben Echoles
Phenomenal voices, phenomenal men, phenomenal human beings - all of these attributes and more will be highlighted in this tribute to the great Black crooners. This tribute celebrates the life and music of Billie Eckstein, Nat King Cole, Roy Hamilton, Chuck Jackson and Johnny Mathis - just to name a few.