Rueben D. Echoles News

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 5 - June 17, 2018. The press opening is Sunday, May 13 at 3:00pm.

The Black Ensemble Theater and The DuSable Museum of African American History announce The Jackie Taylor Drama Series, presented for nine performances, April 7-22, 2018, at The DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, in the Illinois Black Legislators Auditorium.

Black Ensemble Theater's Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the 2018 Season featuring tributes to legendary artists Chuck Berry and Patti LaBelle, as well as the Blues (highlighting the music of some of the greatest Blues artists from Muddy Waters to B.B. King), Hip Hop music, and the Women of Soul. Performances will be held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

Black Ensemble Theater concludes the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr., written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks, with choreography by Rueben D. Echoles. Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr. will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, December 9, 2017 January 21, 2018.

Through the struggles, trials and tribulations of those who fought and fight against oppression and racism, The Black Renaissance is a musical and historical depiction of the African American experience in a racist America that will uplift, inspire and motivate all of us to create a world where racism cannot exist.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  The official press opening is Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 3:00pm. 

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor opens the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical My Brother's Keeper-The Story of The Nicholas Brothers, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. My Brother's Keeper (The Story of The Nicholas Brothers) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 11 - March 26, 2017.  

The Jackie Wilson Story returns to Chicago after an extremely successful opening in 2000 and remount in 2011, plus a national tour in 2002, which culminated at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City. This high-energy and touching story follows the career of one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.  

Black Ensemble Theater continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Jackie Wilson Story, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. The Jackie Wilson Story will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 30-September 4, 2016.  The official press opening is Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 3:00 pm.  Preview dates for the production are July 30-31 and August 5-6, 2016. 

What happens when you put Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Gladys Knight together in the same room for a day? Well you certainly get some great nostalgic music that's for sure. Originally presented in 2001, Dynamite Divas will also feature Divas from the past such as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone, December 12, 2015 - January 24, 2016.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. It's all about musical legends! 'Men Of Soul,' 'All Shook Up,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Million Dollar Quartet' and 'Bette' show showbiz as it was. Also on our boards: '[title of show],' 'Madame Pompadour' and 'Clue,' plus revisiting 'Eastland' and preparing to see the 'October Sky.'

The World Premiere of The Story of The Marvelettes, Written by Reginald Williams, Directed by Rueben D. Echoles, runs July 18 - September 7, 2014. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Marvelous Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Marvelous Marvelettes will be presented at the BlackEnsemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Story of The Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Story of The Marvelettes will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, today, July 18-September 7, 2014. The press opening is Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 3:00pm.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Story of The Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Story of The Marvelettes will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014. The press opening is Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 3:00pm.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Story of The Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Story of The Marvelettes will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014. The press opening is Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 3:00pm.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 17-June 29, 2014. Check out highlights of the show below!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago through June 29, 2014. In anticipation of opening night tonight, May 21, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below! production opens tonight, and

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the remainder of Black Ensemble's 2014 lineup, including One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks; The Story of the Marvelettes by Reginald Williams, directed by Rueben D. Echoles and At Last: A Tribute to Etta James, written and directed by Jackie Taylor. Black Ensemble is offering a free ticket to its music-filled, not-to-be-missed annual New Year's Eve celebration with the purchase of tickets to the remaining three shows of 2014. For tickets or more information, visit www.blackensemble.org or call (773) 769-4451.