|
Don’t Make Me Over
(In Tribute to Dionne Warwick)
Written & Directed by Jackie Taylor
Musical Director Jimmy Tillman
At Black Ensemble Theater
4520 N. Beacon
Chicago, IL
Call 773-769-4451, tickets $35
Friday & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
Through October, 2006
Smooth, tuneful tribute to Dionne Warwick at Black Ensemble
Continuing the “Season of Woman,” Black Ensemble offers one of their finest productions to date with Don’t Make Me Over (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick). Using her familiar formula that has a narrator, Ms. Divine (the feisty Jeniel M. Smith) tells Warwick’s story through short antidotes and summaries of her musical achievements, Jackie Taylor allows this tribute to shines through the songs. Yes, it is about Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach & Hal David collaboration that produced many fabulous songs in the 1960’s and 80’s.
We meet Dionne Warwick’s gospel singing family – mother, Lee Warwick (Jacqual Thomas), sister, Dee Dee (Marquecia Jordan) and cousin Cissy Huston (Toi Overton) as they outline how Dionne came from a successful, affluent gospel sing family that saw her placing college ahead of performing in the early days. They land the gospel inspired tunes nicely. Led by Jeniel M. Smith’s narration and deft singing, we hear three stylish performers who land Warwick’s song book wonderfully.
Paulette Bruce, Carrie and Alexis J. Rogers are a treat all as Dionne Warwick. These terrific voices don’t imitate Warwick, rather they sing in her style. Tunes like “Always Something There to Remind Me,” “Window Of The World,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Message to Michael” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” are so smoothly sung and Jimmy Tillman’s band never sounded so fluid that this tribute goes right to the heart. It was like being at a Dionne Warwick concert. Hearing her hits from the 60’s brought back fond memories for me.
The production featured a cute dance number with “Walk On By.” The show also plays as a tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David, whose polished songs and smooth arrangements made the Dionne Warwick collaboration work to produce some of the greatest tunes of the 60’s and 80’s. Classy style, flowing harmonies and memorable lyrics flow from Warwick’s strong disciplined voice.
Act two covers her come back after her ten year Bacharach-David breakup with “Then Came You.” Jackie Taylor adds her own up-tempo tune, “Keep on Movin” to the mix. The emotional ballad, “I Know I’ll Never Love This Way Again” stirred us. She re-united with Burt and Hal with “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” and “Alfie” in the 80’s. We cherish these quality songs.
The tribute ends with an emotional rendition (with the entire company) of the AIDS fund raising song Warwick got many of the pop stars to join her in “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Let me say that Dionne Warwick fans will be in heaven with this production and teens will enjoy this introduction to many of the classiest songs of the 60’s & 80’s. Jimmy Tillman’s band and the singers were so smooth that Bacharach & David’s song book stands out. Kudos to Jackie Taylor for this tribute to one of the best ever singers.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2006
|
