BET Has Another Big “Hitt”
By Cate Rees-Hessel
“Hitt Records” starts the 2025 season at Chicago’s stellar Black Ensemble Theater. Brilliantly written and directed by the talented Daryl Brooks, this production showcases two brothers and a nephew that run a vintage record store. Music history is front and center in the plot of this fun and upbeat musical. The set is wonderful, realistic and inviting. I was ready to buy a CD, the store is so charming – it’s complete with concert flats, a Purple Rain Prince poster, and the moving platform which transitions to a concert stage seamlessly. I love the use of projections in the “windows” on both ends of the stage, depicting a city street, digital music effects, and album covers of the various artists. Costumes, as always, are colorful, glamorous, and realistic.
I can’t say enough good things about the cast or the music. BET favorites Dwight Neal and Rhonda Preston as always give magnificent performances. Rhonda is beautiful and has a lovely voice – her prowess on “We are Family” made me think of my own sisters, and her lead vocals on “Jump (For My Love)” are outstanding. Dwight’s rendition of “When a Man Loves Woman” had every female in the audience swooning; attired in a red velour track suit, Neal lights up the stage. He is extremely believable as Sylvester, and rocks the lead vocals on “Working My Way Back to You”.
Vincent Jordan gives a flawless performance as one of the Hitt brothers – he can play any role, any age realistically. His sibling is played by Dennis Dent, another fine actor with enormous stage presence. Bringing nephew Vincent to life and making an outstanding Black Ensemble debut is the skillful Dennis Warner. Other superb first time BET performances include the very accomplished Micheal Lunder and from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the polished DeVaughn Loman. Lyle Miller’s vocals are exemplary – he has graced the Black Ensemble stage in over fifty productions and is an audience favorite. The gorgeous Qiana McNary gives a high energy and very formidable performance – she especially brings the house down on “I Will Survive”.
Once again audiences can enjoy Trequon Tate’s sensational characterizations and stage presence. Britt Edwards and Jaitee Thomas each give notable turns, and are a pleasure to watch. I especially loved the disco portion of the show with an excellent rendition of “Last Dance” that surely has Donna Summer smiling from heaven. The cast even breaks the fourth wall with ease, bringing the fun into the audience. Rounding out the amazing cast is the very adept Breanna Young; and no review of this theatrical extravaganza would be complete without the mention of great BET musicians: Robert Reddrick, Adam Sherrod, Myron Cherry, Oscar Brown Jr., Eric Troy Sr., Charles “Chip” Dubose, Dawn and Antwan Washington, and Bill McFarland.
Don’t miss the fabulous vintage hits, including “In the Air Tonight”, “Land of a 1000 Dances”, “Stayin’ Alive”, “Love to Love You Baby”, “Treat Her Like a Lady”, “Rich Girl”, “Best of my Love”, “In the Midnight Hour”, “Best of my Love”, and “I’m So Excited”, plus many more; this show-stopping romp down memory lane is a must see for any music lover. Make sure you go before the brothers Hitt close up shop January 26th – for tickets or more information, please visit www.blackensembletheater.org.
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