Jackie Taylor's Black Ensemble Theater Company will mark its 30th anniversary by launching two world-premiere productions: Those Sensational Soulful Sixties and Don't Shed a Tear ( The Story of Billie Holiday ) .
Those Sensational Soulful Sixties—which started running at The Black Orchid, 230 W. North, on Oct. 14—will take audiences back with hits originally sung by Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and many others. Taylor wrote and will direct the production.
Don't Shed a Tear will begin Nov. 4 at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon. The play, written by Taylor and Dawn Bless Mitchell, chronicles the traumatic life of jazz legend Holiday. Among the songs that will be performed are Strange Fruit and God Bless the Child.
Tickets are $40. Call the theater box office at 773-769-4451 or Ticketmaster at 312-902-1500 for more info. Also, see www.ticketmaster.com .
To learn more about the company, see www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.
