The Sensational Soulful Sixties
Written & Directed by Jackie Taylor
At Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago
The Sensational Soulful Sixties is spectacular entertainment
Playing in running repertory with Doo Wop Shoo Bop, The Sensational Soulful Sixties move from the smooth Doo Wop sound into the heights and essence of “soul.” From Sam Cook’s “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” and “Cupid,” to mega-hits like “My Guy,” “Respect,” to even Rashawn Thompson’s channeling Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life,” we hear what “soul” is all about. We realize that soul is universal, as tunes like “Mack The Knife” and “What kind of Fool Am I” can become soulful in the hands of Elle Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis, Jr.
We hear a medley of Smokey Robinson tunes like “Oooh Baby Baby” and “Mickey’s Monkey.” Motown get its share with a Supremes medley: “Where did Our Love Go” and “Stop in the Name of Love.” The Temptations do “Get Ready” and “My Girl.”
We enjoy “At Last,” “Neither One of Us,” and Otis Redding’s “Settin’ On The Dock Of The Bay.” The soulful enjoyment soars with “Higher & Higher,” and Jackie Taylor created four toe-tapping tunes to celebrate the “Soulfulness” of the 60’s. The cast mostly does both shows as their high energy and vocal chops deliver an amazingly fun show. The cast has as much fun as we do as the audience goes wild several times during this “Soulful” book of great R & B tunes.
The Sensational Soulful Sixties has 40 of the greatest soul tunes that are sung with craft and spirit. This show is among my favorite Black Ensemble productions! It is the quintessential Black Ensemble show that demonstrates the quality and positive spirit of music to reach our souls!
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2016
For more info checkout The Sensational Soulful Sixties page at theatreinchicago.com
At Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, call773-769-4451, www.blackensemble.org, tickets $55 – $65, Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 8pm, in running repertory with Doo Wop Shoo Bop, running time is 2 hours, 25 minutes with intermission, through March 19, 2016