Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Warwick is just a third of BET’s latest attraction, “That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti,” but the memory came flooding back. We regulars at BET also have seen a prior Patti LaBelle show: “A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle” (2018), and, come to think of it, this is also not the first time the relationship between Gladys Knight and her Pips has been probed on this stage, either."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and writer-director Daryl D. Brooks knows exactly what levers to pull in That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti. (Last names, as if we need them: Knight, Warwick, LaBelle.) Way back in 1986, the three divas were featured in an HBO special, Sisters in the Name of Love, and though Brooks's show is set in contemporary times, sisterhood and love are definitely in the air."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Highly Recommended
"...Daryl Brooks has done it again, brilliantly weaving an enthralling narrative reminiscent of his remarkable work "Time Machine" with his latest creation, "That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne, and Patti." Written and directed by Brooks, this captivating play spotlights three legendary musical icons-Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight-who unite in Las Vegas for an unforgettable performance. As they talk backstage, their memories of their 50-year historical friendship begin to unfold, inviting the audience to listen in as they reflect on their sisterly bond, individual journeys, the complex relationships with the men in their lives, and the highs and lows of friendship, and family, that have shaped their careers and lives over the decades."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Jackie Taylor and Black Ensemble Theater have done it again! "That's What Friends Are For", cleverly written and smoothly directed by Daryl D. Brooks, is a marvel! Highly energetic and engaging, this musical production features the songs of Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, and Patti Labelle, and their fifty-year friendship. Rose Marie Simmons stars as Gladys Knight, Sybil Walker as Dionne Warwick, and Tamara Batiest as Patti Labelle."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...Three talented divas gather in a theater greenroom to relax and catch up with each other before their Las Vegas concert. Enjoying attention from the hotel staff, along with every luxury the lodging can offer, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Dionne Warwick have reunited for an evening of the brand of musical splendor that only these celebrities can provide. The three icons of pop and soul warm up for their concert with a few familiar songs and a lifetime of shared memories, continually reminding us, as they will throughout the show,“What the World Needs Now.”"
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Also adding to the production's luster, Tanji Harper's choreography included a dash of smooth sophisticated elegance to the steps she devised for the Spinners and Ms. Knight's faithful Pips. Complemented by Keith Ryan's polished costume designs, That's What Friends Are For's visual pleasures ideally framed a night of marvelous music."
Splash Magazine
- Highly Recommended
"...In a dazzling celebration of friendship and music, The Black Ensemble Theater presents "That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne, and Patti," a vibrant homage to the legendary divas. Written and directed by the talented Daryl D. Brooks, the show opens with the iconic trio preparing for a Las Vegas residency and soon transports the audience into a rich tapestry of nostalgia."
