OPENING: You Can’t Fake the Funk at Black Ensemble Theater July 20- September 8, 2019

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

You Can’t Fake the Funk 

at Black Ensemble Theater 

July 20- September 8, 2019 

Things are about to get funky in Uptown as Chicago's legendary Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2019 Season (Legends and Lessons) with You Can’t Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music), written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. ChiIL Mama can't wait to ChiIL on the “Mothership” in Chi, IL this weekend. I'll be out for the press opening Sunday, July 28th, so check back soon for my full review. I'm eager to catch BET's latest as funk's long been a favorite genre of ours here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. I've had the pleasure to shoot stills of George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic several times from the photo pits at music festivals and I've caught many funk bands live over the decades. 

You Can’t Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music) will be performed July 20- September 8, 2019 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. 

Hop on the “Mothership” as we journey back when Afro’s were big, bellbottoms were tight, and the music was out of sight. You Can’t Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music) guides us through a musical genre that is sure to have you groovin’ in your seats... Ya’ Digg? You Can’t Take the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music) will pay tribute to artists such as Sly and the Family Stone, Ohio Players, Earth Wind and Fire, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Rick James, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and Bootsy Collins, among others.

The cast includes Dwight Neal, Jayla Williams-Craig, Stewart Romeo, Blake Hawthorne, Lemond Hayes, Thera Wright, Vincent Jordan and Brandon Lavell.

The creative team includes Denise Karczewski and Bek Lambrecht (set design), Denise Karczewski (lighting design), David Samba (sound), Rueben Echoles (costume design), Chris Carter (choreographer) and Robert Reddrick (music director).

Tickets are available at www.blackensemble.org, (773) 769-4451 or at the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Please note the scheduling change: A Thursday matinee has been added in place of Thursday evening performances. Tickets for regular season performances are priced at $55 on Thursday and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups. Previews are priced at $45.

The Black Ensemble Theater will sell the Five Play Season Card which represent a $45.00 ticket price that can be used up to five times in the Season.  For more details or to purchase a Five Play Season Card contact the box office at 773-769-4451. 


Dates:                            
July 20 – September 8, 2019

Previews: July 20, 21, 26 and 27, 2019
Press Opening: Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.


Schedule:                        
Thursdays:        
2:00pm
*No show on August 8
                                    
Fridays:             
8:00 pm

Saturdays:             
3:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Sundays:                   
3:00 pm


Location:                         
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago
Valet parking is available.



Ticket prices:                  
$45 Previews

$55 on Thursdays and Saturday matinees;

$65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees

A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, and groups.

Box Office:                      
Buy online at  www.blackensemble.org or call (773) 769-4451



The Black Ensemble Theater  

Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists. 

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, visit  www.blackensemble.org or call 773-769-4451.