“We Are All One” – extended to November 24th…
By Cate Rees-Hessel
I am always impressed with Jackie Taylor’s Black Ensemble productions – this company’s musicals are innovative and well done. Their latest show is one of the very greatest I have seen to date here. “Blue Eyed Soul, Sung by Brown Eyed People/We Are All One” is simply the best. The set is simplistic yet classy, the costumes absolutely stunning, with just enough glitz, especially on the women’s footwear. I completely loved the very upbeat music.
The cast is fabulous, including BET favorites Rhonda Preston as “Voice” and understudy Dwight Neal as “Spirit” (the role normally played by the very talented LaRon Jones). It was a pleasure to see both of these stellar artists back on the stage. In her first major Black Ensemble role as “Intellect” is the charming Taryn Welch – she delivers a very strong characterization. Jeff Award winner Vincent Jordan as “Mind” once again gives an energetic and magnificent performance. Petite powerhouse Britt Edwards is completely passionate in her portrayal of “Passion”. “Humanity” is brought to life by the lovely Tia Jemison, and “Soul” is given substance by Direoce Junirs. The three prodigious historians Trequon Tate, Raeven Carrol, and Dennis Dent, are all wonderfully portrayed.
What’s a musical without formidable instrumentalists? Robert Reddrick, Adam Sherrod, Oscar Brown Jr., and Walter Harrington all keep the lively music flowing with songs by Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Sir Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Mariah Carey, The Bee-Gees, Michael Bolton, Hall and Oates, the Doobie Brothers, and Carole Bayer Sager, to name a few. Strong vocals on popular songs such as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, “I Will Always Love You”, “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Green, Green Grass of Home” “She’s a Lady”, “You’re My World”, “I Want to Know What Love Is”, “The Biggest Part of Me”, “Fly Like An Eagle”, and more make for a fabulous night of theatrical excellence. I especially enjoyed an original song by Jackie Taylor entitled “Let the Negative Energy Be Gone”.
This musical masterpiece of blue-eyed soul masterfully sung by skillful brown eyed people is a must-see show. The clear and proficient message that “we are all one”, part of God’s beautiful and brilliant rainbow, was most apparent, and a balm for even the most weary souls. You don’t have to go to Gilead for this medicine but it’s only running until November 10th, so get your groove on and go to www.blackensembletheater.org.
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