BET Theater Celebrates 50 Years Of Excellence With “The Jackie Wilson Story”
By Cate Rees-Hessel
Jackie Taylor’s Black Ensemble Theater opened their 50th anniversary season with an exceedingly excellent production of “The Jackie Wilson Story”. Brilliantly written and directed by the legendary Ms. Taylor herself, this poignant story is intense and honest, depicting the often controversial man who loved to sing his music. The tale makes no judgements but truthfully chronicles Wilson’s drinking, womanizing, and his lack of business sense. The play goes on to show his positive attributes: his strong friendship with Elvis Presley, his pain regarding the death of his son, his love for his mother and best friend, and his courage to stand up against the organized crime that his first record label Brunswick was involved with. A heart attack left Wilson in a coma from which he never recovered – the show also handles this with compassion and dignity.
The entire cast is absolutely wonderful. BET favorite Rhonda Preston, as Jackie’s mother Eliza Mae Wilson, gives a marvelous performance. Her mother’s love shines through, her characterization genuine. Rhonda’s singing voice is exquisite and her stage presence shines. Destin Warner, in the role of Wilson’s long suffering best friend BB, delivers a flawless depiction – his sincerity and realistic openness tugs on the audiences heartstrings and makes his character completely loveable.
Britt Edwards, as Jackie’s first wife Freda, is amazing – her resolve to get a divorce to end the pain of her husband’s abusive behavior and infidelity is refreshing. A tiny foot stomp in the first act speaks volumes about the woman she portrays. Vincent Jordan gives a very creditable performance, slick and authentic. And Jaitee Thomas’ Jackie Wilson is superb – his uncanny resemblance to the title character, sweet moves and sounds makes one believe Wilson has been brought back to life on the BET stage.
This musical is both entertaining and thought provoking, vocals vibrantly strong. I especially loved “He’s a Rebel” and “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”. The moving set is elegant in its simplicity, and the costumes are absolutely the best, classic and fashionable.
Happy 50th anniversary, Black Ensemble Theater – thank you for five decades of theatrical excellence; we look forward to the next 50 years. Before the last “Lonely Teardrops” fall April 26th, get yourself to www.blackensembletheater.org for tickets or more information. We dedicate this review to a fabulous Black Ensemble actor who recently relocated out of Illinois, the very talented Trequon Tate…
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