Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Black Ensemble has long been about promoting optimism, community and feelings of togetherness. This particular show, which showcases this new North Side theater better than any show to date, goes one further. It makes the case that racial divisions in Chicagoland are totally absurd, especially when there's trouble abroad and songs within."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...But writer-directors Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles have strayed far from the obvious for the backdrop to their beguiling new show, "From Doo Wop to Hip Hop," now in a talent-packed world premiere at the Black Ensemble Theater. They've set their tale in a place called Unison Hills, a well-to-do, predominantly (but not exclusively) African-American gated community in what might be the western suburbs of Chicago - a place where the members of successful doo wop groups of years past intersect with younger musicians now trying to carve out careers of their own. And as it turns out, when push comes to shove they all can sing each other's music."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...In an era of slimmed-down, economical musicals, Black Ensemble Theater still consistently works with full bands and cast sizes in the double digits. And why shouldn't they? BET's all-out approach has yielded some of the brassiest, biggest-voiced, most unapologetically joyful productions in town. Written and directed by Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles, From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is no exception."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...So what is the gospel according to Jackie Taylor, the guiding force behind the nearly-four decades of this company's thriving history? Verily, that music has the power to cross the boundaries of race, age, gender and affections—when a member of a female trio reveals that her boyfriend is, in fact, a girlfriend, the news barely makes a ripple in the flow of goodwill. ("As long as you're happy with yourself, nothing else matters.") After a year steeped in partisan discord, isn't that the perfect accompaniment to our eager anticipation of spring?"
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Director Jackie Taylor and co-writer Rueben Echoles have placed their joyously assembled jukebox in a subdivision called Unison Hills: a pitch-perfect neighborhood where differences in race and culture are acknowledged and celebrated, not fought over. The residents, all of whom work in the music industry, first open their doors at the crack of dawn in a long-forgotten morning ritual, exchanging catchy pleasantries in an original number called "Welcome To Unison Hills." Unlike most suburbs, twentysomethings all the way up through sixtysomethings happily call this street their home. Here, the kids clock in hours at the recording studio making records while their parents, amidst their own personal quarrels, wish to relive their glory days singing "16 Candles" on a stoop."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...The song selection isn’t limited to the title’s genres, but most of the music (which includes a handful of original interstitial tunes by Taylor and Echoles) was originally performed by groups: the Drifters, the Shirelles, TLC, Black Eyed Peas. Though the performances are polished and technically unimpeachable, this slick production doesn’t pack the punch of previous BE offerings. Part of the reason the cast feels so distant surely has to do with the way they’re literally kept at a distance: Most of the time, they’re stationed far upstage at the row of Sesame Street–like front stoops that constitutes Dave Ferguson’s set. Things start to loosen up in the second act, when Meghan Murphy knocks the stuffing out of Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” and Taylor and Echoles dispense with narrative altogether, untethering the players from their stoops for an exuberant block party."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...As always at B.E.T., the music is the draw here, wonderfully shaped by Robert Reddrick and played to perfection by his smoking band and a terrifically talented ensemble; the script provides sweet support but nothing more. The most magic comes from group rousers, like a first act cross-over contest between the rappers and the crooners. The second act block party jam is a joyous fete that will persist in your memories for all the right reasons. Unison Hills earns its name as it wins out hearts."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is rounded out by a block party-featuring a lively Doo Wop Hip Hop medley-and I can only second Monty Montgomery's wish for it to be something that happened more frequently. In truth, whatever platitudes the show adopts regarding the inclusive powers of song are something of an afterthought. We don't need to be told what is clearly visible right in front of us. From Doo Wop to Hip Hop is its own best testament to the power of music to bring people together. Now if only we could all find our way to Unison Hills."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago has something that no other city can claim- Black Ensemble Theater- that special venue on the north side that Jackie Taylor, almost single handily has built from the ground up. This company has thrived and grown due to the energy and desire of this courageous woman who felt the need to bring the "Black" world of theater to the people of Chicago. By the way, this company has been attracting the "White" population for years and we see it continue to grow. In fact, to show the great diversity that this company brings to our culture, their newest production, a World Premiere, "From Doo Wop to Hip Hop" features four White performers and a script ( written by Ms Taylor and Associate director Rueben Echoles, that has diversity and tolerance as a part of the story."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Each of the 16 ensemble members has at least one solo and the singing grades out to 16 for 16, every performer knocking off at least one showstopper. BET artistic director Jackie Taylor has an unerring facility for identifying superb vocal talent and pairing the singers with numbers that thrill the ear. "From Doo Wop..." could cut a bunch of the storylines, but that would mean eliminating some people in the ensemble and there isn't a single vocalist I would cut."