Grandma’s Jukebox
Black Ensemble (BE) visionary leader and founder Jackie Taylor has opened her doors to bringing in yet another young talent to co-direct its 2022 Season of Excellence: The Season of Healing & Joy, with Associate Director Michelle Renee Bester, the writer, and director of Grandma's Jukebox. This refreshing and delightful production by Michelle Renee Bester, a Millikin University graduate, calls this one of the most vulnerable pieces she has penned. Paying homage to her grandmother, Bester's story message about family, love, and overcoming generational curses through healing will have you joyously in tears as you sing and dance to the music.
Bester, whose mentor is the incredibly talented Daryl D. Brooks, started her theater career at Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, IL. The actress, Michelle Bester, seen on Chicago Fire, Electric Dreams, and The Red Line, play "NUmbers" was featured in the Black Playwrights Initiative (BPI) 12th annual SEX IN THE SUMMER IN THE CITY series.
GrandMa's Jukebox is a spirited story about Grandma B, who has passed, leaving four adopted adults her inheritance. She was the inspiration and backbone of their family, and with no one to guide them forward, they felt lost. The play starts with the four gathering at the home of Grandma B, where they're presented with eulogy letters that each must read aloud, highlighting one particular gift as a memory of her love for them. She has accumulated substantial assets, which she has decided to divide equally; however, they have to undergo counseling sessions before receiving her final gift. But something strange happens when one of them hears music from the broken Jukebox, signifying that the spirit of Grandma B. lives on, helping them understand and accept the power of healing.
GrandMa's Jukebox's storyline of four adults' lives blended through the love of Grandma B provided the audience with an outstanding performance. Adding the emotional aspect of parental violence, mental abuse, self-esteem issues, and a person struggling to find employment due to a felony, infused with BE's usual brilliance of combining many tunes from different eras, Grandma's Jukebox is a musical gem.
You could feel a new exuberance of life in the cast. With a solid dialogue balance with Black Ensemble's usually soulful singing, GrandMa's Jukebox is one of the best new plays coming out of BE Theater.
The cast of Jessica Brooke Seals, Aeriel Williams, Vincent Jordan, J. Michael Wright, and Blake Reasoner, thrilled the audience with their singing of songs from Mary Mary, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Jazzmine Sullivan, Mary J. Blige, and Sly and the Family Stone. However, one of the best parts of the play was when Bester got on stage. After the performance, she released her overflowing pride and thanks to those in the audience, which was heart-warming. Bester's Grandma's Jukebox is sure to be one of many hit productions written by this talented writer.
By bringing in Michelle Renee Bester, under the leadership of Producing Managing Director/Equity Stage Manager Daryl Brooks, Black Ensemble seems to be heading in a new positive direction. In addition, founder & CEO of Black Ensemble Theater Jackie Taylor's willingness to bring in young talented directors while staying true to her pledge to eradicating racism; while providing educational outreach programs shows her commitment to continuing BE's agenda.
Taylor's legacy already etched in Chicago's theatrical stone becomes worldwide if BE continuously opens its door to the brightest African-American actors, directors, and playwrights. Brooks and Bester can be the start of exceptional plays under her leadership.
Let's Play Theatrical Review, Highly Recommends, Grandma's Jukebox at Black Ensemble Theater.
Black Ensemble Theater
Grandma's Jukebox
Written and Directed by Michelle Renee Bester
May 29- June 26, 2022
