**** Recommended Black Ensemble’s latest show, That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne & Patti, written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks, features the music of three musical icons. Although the plot is thin, the music is fabulous. 4 Spotlights
Gladys Knight (Rose Marie Simmons), Dionne Warwick (Sybyl Walker) and Patti LaBelle (Tamara Batiest) have been invited to do a concert together in Las Vegas.
Luther (Dwight Neal), the concierge, and his assistant Janet (Michaela Dukes), are scurrying around to get everything ready. Three oversized easy chairs with side tables are placed in front of three dressing room doors. Off to the side there’s a large table filled with drinks and snacks. As the ladies arrived, Luther effusively welcomed them.
Sitting backstage, waiting for their sound check, the ladies reminisced about their lives and careers, leading to songs either sung by them or by their younger selves – Young Gladys (Michaela Dukes), Young Dionne (Bri Buckley) and Young Patti (Courtney “CO.” Driver).
Gladys talked about her relationship with the Pips, who were all relatives (including her brother, Bubba), as well as her split with them. She had a lot to say about the love of her life, William McDowell. She sang many of her hits with and without the Pips (Jaitee Thomas, Dennis Dent and Trequon Tate), including I Heard It Through the Grapevine, I’ve Got To Use My Imagination, Neither One of Us, If I Were Your Woman, You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, Midnight Train to Georgia, Superwoman
Dionne talked about her long association with Burt Bacharach (Michael J. Santos) and the reason she sued him. She sang many of the songs he wrote for her including Don’t Make Me Over, What the World Needs Now, A House Is Not A Home, Then Came You, I Know I’ll Never Love This Way Again and of course, That’s What Friends Are For.
Patti talked mostly about her career. While singing some of LaBelle’s hits, Tamara Batiest even kicked off her shoes! Her hits include If Only You Knew, Ain’t No Way, You Are My Friend, If Only For One Night, and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, as well as a tribute to Aretha Franklin with Respect and Think.
The show also included the Spinners (Dwight Neal, Jaitee Thomas, Dennis Dent and Trequon Tate) singing Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.
As I’ve said before, the music is always outstanding at Black Ensemble Theatre. The wonderful musicians include Robert Reddrick (Musical Director/Drums), Oscar Brown Jr. (Guitar), Walter Harrington (Bass), Adam Sherrod (Keys), Myron Cherry (Drums Understudy).
That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne & Patti runs through July 27th at Black Ensemble Theatre Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago. Valet parking ($13, cash only) is available. Running time is just under two hours with an intermission. Performances are Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 & 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. There will not be a performance on July 4th. Tickets range from $57.50-$67.50 (fees included). FYI (773) 769-4451 or www.blackensemble.org
