Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...As penned and directed by BET newcomer Michelle Renee Bester, "Grandma's Jukebox" is not a biographical show about a celebratory musician, nor is it a loosely structured peg for the performance of iconic songs. Rather, it's a legit, original jukebox musical replete with dialogue scenes, fully-fledged characters and a dramatic through-line. It has its issues and contrivances but the end result is a touching 90 minutes at the theater in the company of some formidable talent and the usual stellar live band."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...In "Grandma's Jukebox," director/playwright Michelle Renee Bester creates a dual celebration. On the one hand, the Black Ensemble Theater production running through June 26 packs some 15 songs from a wealth of genres into the 90-minute staging. From gospel to Motown to disco to "Thriller"-era Michael Jackson and beyond, Bester delivers a grand tribute to the almighty powers of timeless, groundbreaking tunes that have endured across generations."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Unsurprisingly, the vocals in this show are absolutely amazing, as is the case with every Black Ensemble show. Other theaters may have amazing singers, but this theater has the corner on the market for those who can SANG. Every play doubles as a top-notch concert that is worth the price of admission alone, backed by the truly excellent band, led by Oscar Brown Jr."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...Black Ensemble (BE) visionary leader and founder Jackie Taylor has opened her doors to bringing in yet another young talent to co-direct its 2022 Season of Excellence: The Season of Healing & Joy, with Associate Director Michelle Renee Bester, the writer, and director of Grandma's Jukebox. This refreshing and delightful production by Michelle Renee Bester, a Millikin University graduate, calls this one of the most vulnerable pieces she has penned. Paying homage to her grandmother, Bester's story message about family, love, and overcoming generational curses through healing will have you joyously in tears as you sing and dance to the music."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"..."Grandma's Jukebox" is a charm! The point of this cute story is that a grandmother's legacy can live long beyond her death: not just in the characters' memories of her but in how they subsequently choose to lead their lives. The genre of this show is what's known as a "jukebox musical." The songs within it are all popular hits that have been previously recorded by major artists; these are then recreated and assembled around a story, invented at a later date."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...Michelle Renee Bester recently joined the Black Ensemble Theater (BET) as its newest associate director. Shoe both wrote and directed her world premiere production of "Grandma's Jukebox," making a terrific first impression. She also has assembled a gifted cast of five that is continually backed by a sensational band led by Oscar Brown, Jr. and cleverly laced the show with powerful renderings of 14 songs initially popularized by the likes of Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Sly and the Family Stone and others - and cleverly laced with powerful renderings of 14 songs initially popularized by the likes of Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Sly and the Family Stone and others."
Buzznews.net - Somewhat Recommended
"...The playwright's stated intention is to display ways for healing generational trauma, but the traumata explored were limited to the current generation. I think "Grandma's Jukebox" could have delved deeper into intergenerational trauma and recovery."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...I have been following Jackie Taylor's Black Ensemble Theater (BET) since their days on Beacon and then to the beautiful new home on Clark. Unlike the old days on Beacon, the A/C is much more reliable and the acoustics are on point. The latest production is Grandma's Jukebox, and like many BET productions before it is a rousing music-filled and unapologetically Black story. When I was growing up, it was a custom in Black households for the kids to put on a show for the adults at cookouts, family gatherings, and of course, in any talent show at church or school. Everybody had to dance, sing, or in my case-"say a little piece for the people, Katherine." Grandma's Jukebox is the story of a group of cousins all taken in by Grandma B and how she reaches out from beyond through a mystical jukebox that is not plugged in."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...In this heartwarming drama, we meet the four grandchildren grandma Betty raised. Each of them has an all too familiar story about how they ended up living with Grandma Betty. The eldest is Jessica (Jessica Seals), and she wants everyone to believe she has a perfect life, but they all know the truth. Christopher (Vincent Jordan) is the ex-felon trying to get his life together. Mikey (Blake Reasoner) finds happiness pursuing his acting and music, while P (Aeriel Williams) struggles to find her voice. She is the most affected by grandma Betty's death until the jukebox mysteriously turns on one day."
