Chicago Tribune
- Recommended
"...If you’ve ever been to one of Black Ensemble Theater’s signature jukebox musicals, you’ll know to expect a warm, inclusive and celebratory atmosphere with bite-sized musical history lessons that are easy on the ears. “Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People” follows in this vein, but here, writer and director Jackie Taylor goes the extra mile to emphasize the message that “we are all one.”"
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Recommended
"...Seeing Preston's return to the BE stage was an exhilarating treat to seasoned BE ticketholders. Her presence within the Oracle evokes the nostalgia of joyful musical days at the Black Ensemble. She has provided outstanding performances, delighting BE audiences for many years, and deserves her flowers now. Vincent Jordan consistently delivers show-worthy singing as a leading man, showcasing his abilities as a regular at BE."
Around The Town Chicago
- Recommended
"...Jackie Taylor's "Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People" features singers with incredible voices, each one better than the next. This is a show about soulful popular songs composed by white songwriters or popularized by white recording artists, now being sung by an all-black cast. And the choice of music is great! Today's entertainers do an incredible job making each of these songs their own. I also liked hearing all of the information about the origin of the various songs and where they were once performed. As a whole, this production is fun, exciting, and uniquely enjoyable."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Recommended
"...Black Ensemble Theatre’s latest production, written and creatively staged by Artistic Director Jackie Taylor, is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, head-bopping singalong of memorable hits. Her informative and inspirational tribute really gets the audience “Groovin’” as the musical revue entertains and joins us all together through the universality of music."
Third Coast Review
- Somewhat Recommended
"...There is not a lot of certainty in today's world. The world may seem on 33 and 1/3 and you're on 33. There is one thing that I can count on when I watch a Black Ensemble Theater production—fantastic music! The latest from theater maven Jackie Taylor is Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People and it is straight out of the Baby Boomer generation. This show has all the songs that made it to the far end of the radio dial because the music and the singers had a special ingredient that transcended race or eye color. It was soul power sung from the gut and lettin' your backbone slip."
NewCity Chicago
- Recommended
"...This show is a trademark B.E.T. jukebox show—great band, many wonderful singers who give their all, and a book with an uplifting message—except that instead of broadcasting the all-too-true fact the work of Black artists was covered by white stars, “Blue Eyed Soul” lets a talented cast of Black performers put their twists on original works by non-Black artists."
