Theater

Spotlight: BET premieres tuner ‘Elvis Presley Was a Black Man Named Joe’

Posted February 25, 2025 10:43 am

BET premiere

Black Ensemble Theater presents “Elvis Presley Was a Black Man Named Joe.” Written and directed by founder and artistic director Jackie Taylor, the musical is inspired by Taylor’s relationship with her brother, Joe, and their shared fascination with Elvis Presley. Dennis Dent plays Joe. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, and March 7-8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens March 9. $56.50-$66.50. (773) 769-4451 or blackensemble.org.

Theater fest promotes social change

Still Point Theatre Collective, an organization that uses theater as a tool for social justice, to inspire compassion and to reduce the stigmas associated with incarceration and disability, hosts its first Social Change Theater Festival at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture. Events include workshops, panel discussions and performances. 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Saturday, March 1; 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2; and 10:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday, March 3, at 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $15 per event; $50 per day; two-day pass $75; three-day pass $150. stillpointtheatrecollective.org.

Adam J. Hyde, left, Kamille Dawkins, Andrew Greiche, Wesley Hutchinson, Lynsy Folckomer and Maureen Azzun star in Strawdog Theatre Company’s premiere of “Much Ado About Nothing: The Ides Reunion Episode,” adapted from William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Courtesy of Kyle Hamman

'Much Ado' reimagined as reality TV

William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing,” about sparring would-be lovers, inspired Strawdog Theatre Company’s 21st-century remix “Much Ado About Nothing: The Ides Reunion Episode” by ensemble member Michael Dailey. Noah Elman directs the 50-minute version in which four lovers are locked in a house where they’re filming a reality TV show. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, March 5-26, at Burke’s Public House, 5401 N. Broadway, Chicago. $15-$20. strawdog.org.

‘Guys and Dolls’ returns

It’s always the right time for “Guys and Dolls,” Frank Loesser’s sparkling 1950 tuner about an endearing troupe of fast-talking, Runyonesque gamblers and their whipsmart female counterparts consisting of chorus girls and crusaders. Music Theater Works’ revival stars Jeffrey Charles as Sky Masterson, Cecilia Iole as Sarah Brown, Callan Roberts as Nathan Detroit and Kristin Brintnall as Miss Adelaide. Sasha Gerritson directs. Preview at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens March 7. $19.50-$106. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com.

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