Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...The book may be thin, but Taylor's gift for zingers comes through. The dialogue is also decidedly saltier than some past Black Ensemble offerings, but nothing here is shocking. It's a smooth, seductive, date-night ride."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Set in the fictional town of Love, Illinois, Jackie Taylor's latest jukebox musical punctuates slice-of-life scenes about romance with kick-ass cover versions of golden-oldie love songs. It's the music, not Taylor's predictable book, that make this show fly."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...This emphasis on text doesn't exclude music, though—and who better to sing about love than Luther Vandross, whose many contributions to the score include the anthemic "Any Love" and the reverent "Dance With My Father" (performed with deep-felt poignancy by the remarkably light-on-his-feet Vasily Deris). Katrina V. Miller makes a charming and sassy Ms. Katie, Lawrence Williams does a nice Al Green impression on the C&W classic, "For the Good Times," and Aeriel Williams' balletic pas seul lends visual interest to the lulling "First Time Ever," but what pulls us in at the top of the first act is an "All The Man I Need," belted forth by Jenny Lamb with a full-bodied intensity hitherto reined in by tiny cabaret rooms. Valentine's Day may be over, but if spring turns your fancy to thoughts turn to you-know-what, this is your show."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...All of these storylines are simple and affecting, but the real star of the show is the music, performed by a live band and the powerhouse voices of the actors. Every performer here shines, though some brighter than others. Boyd and Deris each bring the house down with their divine renditions of these hits."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...But in spite of these assets—including an uplifting, inclusive, all-you-need-is-love message—the show is numbingly formulaic. The two acts proceed identically: A series of two-person scenes, each ending in a plaintive solo, culminates in an evening at the town’s Diversity Club, where we’re treated to more solos and a raucous group number. Basically, it’s one belted ballad after another; after a while the songs come to seem interchangeable, and the show grows repetitive and, ultimately, wearisome."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Featuring a terrific collection of strong voices, especially from Zachary Boyd, Donald Barnes, Aerial Williams, and Vasily Deris, this Black Ensemble production has a deep emotional core and a load of heart. Tunes such as “Wait for Love,” “The Way We Were,” “You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman, ” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Fools Fall in Love,” “For the Good Times,” and “Power of Love” make for a silky smooth mood altering romantic nostalgic trip back to your first love. There is story and dance here that both examines relationships and celebrates love and romance. Love wins and is deftly expressed by this fine cast of singers each having their moments to stir the audience by emotionally landing the steamy song book selected by Jackie Taylor. It is the music that makes this show sizzle."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...During this 2 1/2 hour show , with a 15 minute intermission, and 20 fabulous songs, we get to watch these characters deal with the ups and downs of life; from mixed relationships of white and black, rich versus poor and even man with man in small town America. As it turns out, as in most of Ms Taylor’s non-biographical stories, everyone ends up with the person they should be withand those that do not end up where they had hoped to be, end up wiser than they were before. As I said earlier, we didn’t need a story in order to get our money’s worth! 20 songs performed by this cast is well worth the price of a ticket, but Jackie Taylor always wants her audiences to head home witha story to cling to as well as a memorable theater experience. With Black Ensemble Theater, you can count on it!"
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...Bringing down the house is belting phenom Vasily Deris whose “Never Too Much” and “Dance With My Father” had the audience forming a fan club on the spot. As they celebrate their good times at the town’s well-named Diversity Club, the troupe come together triumphantly in the raucous “Bad Boy Having a Party” and Taylor’s own signature creation “Love, Illinois.”"
