Hedy Weiss: Theater Reviews
‘Hitt Records’ is an All-Around Hit Musical Not to Be Missed: Review
To get straight to the point: “Hitt Records,” the musical revue now receiving its world premiere at the Black Ensemble Theater, is an absolute knockout. And I urge you to head to the production that is only scheduled to run through Jan. 26 as soon as possible.
Written and directed with immense panache by Daryl D. Brooks (the Black Ensemble’s producing managing director), the show is exuberantly choreographed by Christopher Chase Carter, backed by music director Robert Reddrick, with an outstanding eight-piece band led by Oscar Brown Jr. The show is ideally performed by a multi-talented cast of 12. It serves as a wonderful reminder of the enduring pop song hits of the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. And in capturing the spirit of 28 hit songs from that era — all of which are performed with great panache — the show not only serves as a reminder of times past but can easily introduce theater-goers of a much younger generation to a slew of classics, each of which has a distinctive musical personality.
Before cheering the outstanding cast, a special round of applause must go to Denise Karczewski, the show’s set and lighting designer. Her immensely clever revolving stage is anchored in a well-stocked music shop. It then periodically revolves to serve as a flashy backdrop for the performance of classics by a slew of famous singers including the likes of Phil Collins, Bob Marley, the Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, the Temptations, The Pointer Sisters, The Staple Singers and many others. In addition, each song brings with it an exuberant dramatic edge. Meanwhile, the two serious storekeepers (and their helper, who is notably less than industrious) take care of business in a store packed with records, tapes and CDs.
The cast of “Hitt Records” at the Black Ensemble Theater. (Alan Davis)
The terrific members of the cast sing, dance, act and capture the vocal styles and attitudes of the famous artists renowned for many hit recordings. And they also bring to life the various stories and moods inherent in the lyrics and melodies of those songs. Applause for Lyle Miller, Dennis Dent, Michael Linder, Vincent Jordan, Rhonda Preston, Qiana C. McNary, DeVaughn Lomax, Dwight Neal, Trequon Tate, Jaitee Thomas, Britt Edwards and Destin Warner.
Remember: The show has quite a brief run at Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. For tickets, visit blackensembletheater.org or phone 773-769-4451. But here is one last serious thought: This terrific show (and all those who are already involved in its creation and performance) should be transferred to an off-Broadway theater. “Hitt Records” would definitely be a genuine “Hitt.”
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