Steadstyle Chicago
	October 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	The Message is in the Music Black Ensemble Theater is unique in that many of the stories they tell are written by Artistic Director/Founder Jackie Taylor, who manages to find some of the most extraordinary voices in Chicago for each production.  The scripts are not the most important part of what she brings to an audience, but they do tell a story.  The current production is titled "The Message is in The Music (God is a Black Man Named Ricky)" that takes us on a trip to heaven and allows us to watch as Lucifer has a face-off with God, the fight between good and evil, love and hate. Yes, it is an old story and one that will always be retold, but Ms.Taylor puts it together with a cast of powerful singers (who can truly move as well), using 27 songs to tell the tale.  Music from John Lennon, Curtis Mayfield, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and others fill the small, intimate theater on Beacon Street, which is soon to be replaced with a brand new state of the art facility.  Songs like "Let It Be", "Tell Me What I Say", "Imagine", "People Get Ready" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water".  There is also a great octette of musicians that make this building rock.  They feel the music and play it as it should be played! Ms. Taylor knows how to utilize the small stage to perfection and the amazing choreography by Rueben Echoles makes this tiny stage seem to have no boundaries with his steps.  This production is sizzling hot with great arrangements to the music by Robert Reddrick that bring a new flavor to the sound with some jazzy arrangements and some very Gospel sounds.  One could not ask for better voices than those that are assembled on this stage.  Often I hear that when big shows are seeking talent for their productions where African American characters exist, that there is not enough talent around.  Well somebody tell these producers to get in touch with Jackie, because she knows how and where to find them.  Ain't no doubt about it! The cast for this show sparkles with talent.  Angels Dawn Bless and Rhonda Preston will knock your socks off.  Trinity P. Murdock is a powerful Trinity, Michael T. Bartlett Jr. really moves as Demon Dwight, Carrie as Demon Doubt and her soul-sister Kylah Frye as Demon Fear are wonderful to watch, Corey Andre Wright does a cameo as Curtis Mayfield, and the marvelous France Jean-Baptise plays SHE (this is the name for God's woman as he is often referred to as HE).  The roles of Lucifer (Donald Barnes) and God (Rick Stone) are superbly cast.  I can't think of anyone who could do these roles other than these two men.  Each has a powerful characterization and each one can belt it out with the best. While the story line is not the strong point to the show, they do get us to think about faith and hope, trust and doubt as well as our fear.  Right now our country is going through some tough times.  Could it be the work of the Devil?  Is Evil lurking around every corner just waiting to grab us?  Well, I suggest that you forget about all that stuff and hop on over to the Black Ensemble Theater located at 4520 N. Beacon (just South of Wilson Avenue and East of Clark Street) for a wonderful two hours plus of great music! Forget about your troubles and the world around us for two plus hours and just tap your feet, clap your hands and smile that friendly smile while being entertained by the wonderful cast of "The Message is in The Music (God is a Black Man Named Ricky)".  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at  8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $45 and are available by calling 773-769-4451 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  To learn more checkout www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.