Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...But "The Marvelous Marvelettes" is somehow very touching, not least because it reveals the vulnerability and insecurity of so many young artists. When they first walked into the Motown studios with their chaperone (played here by Eretha McCullough), the young women who would become The Marvelettes were calling themselves The Casinyets (as in "can't sing yet"). Gordy smartly nixed that name but he also knew he had a blank canvas on which to paint his notions of a best-selling group."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Although this is largely an "all-girls" show - for which designer Ruthanne Swanson has devised scores of period-perfect costumes, including one terrific "trick" outfit - there is a terrific turn by handsome, golden-voiced Daniel Phillips as the soulful Jimmy Ruffin, singing "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted." Supplying accompaniment for the 15 or so hit songs in the show is a galvanic onstage band led by music director Robert Reddrick (on drums), Justin Dillard (keyboard), Herb Walker (guitar) and Danny O'Conner (bass)."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Williams's script frequently tells when it should show, giving us characters who sit around talking about their lives more than they live them, and while as lead singer Gladys Horton, Melanie McCullough's got the pipes and personality, she's never given much worth singing over. It's too bad, because with songs like "Please Mr. Postman" and "Heatwave," the show should really wow. Instead it wusses out."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Melanie McCullough, Alanna Taylor, Kylah Frye, Christina Harper and Katrina D. Richard make the transition from girlish exuberance to road-weary womanhood with an immediacy echoed by Rhonda Preston and Deanna Reed-Foster as their older counterparts. Lest they suffer the exhaustion that proved the undoing of the real-life Marvelettes, the score provides them rest periods with auxiliary scenes involving bickering record executives; a hankie-wringing performance of "What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted" by Daniel Phillips; and a rousing rendition of "Heat Wave" with Marquecia Jordon, flanked by techies Chloe and Amber Loren, standing in for Martha and The Vandellas. ( Hey—everybody sings at Black Ensemble!)"
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Black Ensemble Theater's newest production, THE MARVELOUS MARVELEETS took me right back to the year 1961. Motown at it's finest. The voices crescendo throughout the theater and a tangible energy left me wanting more. The Marvelous Marvelettes opens with two former group members Juanita Cowart (performed by Rhonda Preston) and Katherine Anderson (performed by Deanna Reed-Foster). The pair, now filled with the wisdom of experience, add candid moments that make the audience feel right at home. With a combination of reflection and laughter, the duo reminisces on their past years together and provides the audience a glimpse of one of Motown's most astonishing groups - The Marvelous Marvelettes."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...It's all here in this generous and seemingly inexhaustible, two-hour salute to the "other Supremes." Working with a more intimate band than usual (just four musicians), music director Robert Reddrick fully applies his time-traveling talent for authenticity to origins and fidelity to style. The rest is a roller coaster of exposition, with the young ladies fondly remembered by their older selves (Rhonda Preston and Deanna Reedd-Foster) and their much-motivating high school counselor (Ereatha McCullough)."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...The Marvelous Marvelettes is a well directed (by Rueben Echoles) and performed musical. The story is written decent enough to interweave the spirited songs that carry the show and everyone goes to see. The music is also well done and does not drown out the singer's voices. The vocal performances are all top-notch and full of Black Ensemble Theater's characteristic energy. It is a show for anyone that enjoys lively music and a must-see for fans of Motown."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...While the show has its definite faults, it is still a worthwhile and notable story to acknowledge and understand. The majority of the plot will go unspoiled for you patron saints of the theatre. Yet, for those unfamiliar with their story, The Marvelous Marvelettes does beg you to ask a few questions very early on in the performance. Will they continue on a path fueled with passion, but little money and greedy people? Or will they succumb to the pressures of life and give up a world they thought they wanted, for one they truly need? It’s up to you to go and find out."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...With all the hub-bub over the recent road company tour of "Motown,the Musical", we often forget about our Black Ensemble Theater, that treasure up in Uptown that brings us the stories of the world of music in the world of the African-American. Many of us, after seeing the "Motown" production became interested in the reality of what really took place during that time (the 1960′s) when Barry Gordy changed the world of music and that of the African-American performer/song writer). What we continue to find out is that those who became famous paid a very "dear" price for that fame. The current production at Black Ensemble shows us another part of the puzzle and how this man ,and the industry, changed the lives of some high school girls from Inkster,Michigan, who were known as "The Marvelous Marvelettes". While we all recall The "Supremes" as THE female group of the time, it was The Marvelous Marvelettes who paved their way into the spotlight and the heart of America."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The story of the Marvelettes is fascinating and, in many ways, not unlike most of the backstories of music’s best. “Dreamgirls,” for instance, which provides a fictional account behind the rise of the Supremes, is not that different from the history of the Marvelettes. It’s their own infectious music, however, plus a few additional Motown hits thrown in for good measure (such as “Heatwave” by Martha and the Vandellas), that give this show its joyful power. Like all of Jackie Taylor’s wonderful biographical revues, this musical provides its audiences with many welcome memories while exposing the little-known behind-the-scenes struggles and heartaches once hidden from the public. Any show that inspires audiences to sing, dance and clap their hands with joy is an unbridled good time."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"...The Marvelettes has a more bluesy sound than the typical processed Motown girl group and could have challenged the Supremes as queens of Motown but it didn't work out for them, possibly due to mishandling by the company. But the Marvelettes did accomplish a lot during their run through the 1960's and they deserve a tribute as enjoyable as the musical staging at the BET. The book difficulties haven't been entirely solved, though Williams's work is a considerable step forward. But there are no quibbles about the singing skills of the six talented young ladies that makes "The Marvelous Marvelettes" work so well."