Anyone still undecided on whether to see this musical biodrama, whether in Memphis or when it winds up its tour at New York's Apollo Theater April 4-13, 2003 should know that: Wouldn't you rather see it now?
1) the premiere production ran for nearly two years,
2) Melba Moore has joined the cast, and two new songs written just for her have been added to the score,
3) Chester Gregory II, who created the title role and has played it with nary a day off since, is the most exciting and charismatic new artist since Jackie Wilson himself,
4) even in a Taj Mahal-sized room like the New Regal, Jackie Taylor's direction keeps the action close and audience-intimate -- the real-life Wilson was an incorrigible skirt-chaser, so ladies in the front rows should prepare for flirtatious advances in the course of the show,
5) any vulgarity is kept well within PG-13 limits, and the book blends biographical and historical material to emerge as both educational and entertaining,
6) the touring show's scenery and sound hook-ups were a little sputtery opening night but should be operating smoothly by its next stop,
7) songs performed in the show include hits like "Lonely Teardrops" and "Higher And Higher," in addition to less-known numbers like "Reet Petite," "To Be Loved," "Doggin' Me Around" and (believe it or not) "Danny Boy",
8) Whether he wants it or not, Gregory is destined for stardom, and some enterprising producer likewise likely to move this show to a permanent site for a longer run at double the Apollo ticket price.
Opened:
January 21, 2003
Ended:
January 26, 2003
Country:
USA
State:
Illinois
City:
Chicago
Company/Producers:
Black Ensemble Theater
Theater Type:
Regional; off-loop
Theater:
New Regal Theater
Theater Address:
1645 East 79th St.
Phone:
(312) 932-9953
Running Time:
2 hrs
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Jackie Taylor
Review:
Cast:
Chester Gregory II (Jackie Wilson), Melba Moore (Eliza Mae Wilson), Katrina Tate (Freda Wilson), Robert Thomas (Carl Davis), Lyle Miller (Sam Cooke, etc.), Valarie Tekosky (Etta James, etc.), Rueben Echoles (BB), Eva D. (LaVern Baker, etc.), Tony Duwon (Billy Ward, etc.), Direoce Junirs (William Davis, etc.), Joe Plummer (Roquel Davis)
Technical:
Musical direction: Jimmy Tillman; Musical arrangements: George Paco Patterson; Choreography: Eva D.; Set: Robert Martin; Costumes: Virgil C. Sanner & Kanika Dago; Lighting: Denise Karczewski; Sound: Ron White.
Critic:
Mary Shen Barnidge
Date Reviewed:
February 2003
