First-rate Theater in the Second City: Black Ensemble Theater

Chicago theater has come into its own, and reporters at home and abroad are taking notice. The New York Times praised the diversity and unassuming attitude of the theater scene here. Charles Isherwood went so far as to call New York "the east side of Chicago." Similarly, the Guardian posted an article last month reminding Chicagoans that while rivaling New York theater shouldn't be a goal, it is an attainable one.

It's heartening that the arts scene here is gaining recognition in terms of both quality and quantity (with nearly 200 theaters in Chicagoland). Kris Vire of Time Out Chicago praised Black Ensemble Theater as representative of the city's brand of homegrown theater: "Consider also the uplifting portraits of African-American icons produced by the Uptown district's Black Ensemble Theatre, run by one-woman gale force Jackie Taylor..."

As apt as the metaphor is, it still might not convey the breadth of Taylor's achievements. After writing over 100 plays, her goal is still to use theater as a platform to bring together audiences of all races to celebrate similarities and differences. The result is the most ethnically diverse audience in the country: "BE’s audience demographics are 50 % African American, 40% Caucasian and 10% other races; and 70% female, 30% male." Demographics alone can't account for the power of her plays, however:

Her productions are not only highly educational but uplifting and spiritual. She uses her plays to cross cultural barriers bringing people of all colors and kinds into the theater to celebrate the human spirit. For 30 years she has successfully used theater as a communicator and facilitator to help eradicate the basis of racism, which is ignorance.

Just 29 years after its founding, Black Ensemble Theater was listed in the Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac 2005 as one of the top 25 theaters in the country. Seeing a Black Ensemble Theater production is a spiritual yet educational experience.

The company is The Beatles of theater: Black Ensemble Theater is somehow prolific, inspired and culturally relevant. As Black Ensemble Theater is in its 33rd season, the similarities end there. Their latest production, The Message Is In The Music (God Is A Black Man Named Ricky), does feature songs from the Fab Four. Other artists featured include Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and The Isley Brothers, The Temptations and Paul Simon.

Don't miss The Message is in The Music, scheduled for an open run at the Black Ensemble Theater. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.