PicksInSix Review: Women of Soul - Mercury Theater Chicago
Superstars Shine In “Women of Soul”
Guest Contributor | Ronald Keaton
So there is a kind of celebration going on right now at the Mercury Theater on Southport Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood—one of talent and accomplishment and camaraderie. Director/writer Daryl D. Brooks has brought a tribute to soul music and, specifically, the women in that world who shared it, appropriately entitled “Women of Soul.” Indeed, the Mercury Theater itself becomes a marvelous venue with its double staircase onstage and multi-level performance areas, designed by Angela Weber Miller, which elegantly disguises the excellent four-piece musical ensemble conducted by percussionist Robert Reddrick.
But the real focus here is properly on many of those great performers who offered their wares to the world, who are known and often recognized by one name: Aretha. Whitney. Tina. Diana. And the talent in this company is strong, steadfast and absolutely knows how to plant its collective feet and become the artistic tool needed to get it all across. Everyone in the nine-person ensemble has plenty of opportunity to shine. To wit…
Robin da Silva begins the proceedings with a loving nod to Gladys Knight and “Midnight Train to Georgia,” while later in the evening, doing an inspiring Mahalia Jackson tribute of two songs, “Trouble Of The World” and “How I Got Over.” Cynthia Carter displays a wide versatility in doing everything from Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog,” “I’ll Take You There” by Mavis Staples, and the Gloria Gaynor anthem “I Will Survive.” Jessica Brooke Seals gave a stylish bent to the Dionne Warwick hit “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and then shook things up with a little Etta James and “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
Then there’s Hannah Efsits deftly doing Teena Marie’s “Lovergirl” and then a duet with the only male onstage, Dwight Neal, and his Rick James in a fun version of “Fire And Desire.” Jerica Exum skillfully sings both Whitney Houston (“I Have Nothing”) and a Mariah Carey medley. And Aerial Williams captured wonderfully the flavor of the soul diva in the Diana Ross classic “I’m Coming Out,” Janet Jackson’s “Control,” Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine” and Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff.”
There was still more. Here’s what Rhonda Preston was given to do: Evelyn “Champagne” King’s “Shame,” Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be An Everlasting Love,” a lovely surprise in Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love,” and the Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men.” Colleen Perry was stalwart and fun in doing both Janis Joplin’s legendary “Piece of My Heart” and the Adele hit “Rolling In The Deep.”
And yes, there were other wonderful songs throughout the evening from the catalogues of Jill Scott and Amy Winehouse, and a full-throated finale devoted to the Queen Of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, from the entire cast. Along the way, we learn tidbits of fascinating history about each artist, which is fun for a history buff like me. And let it not be forgotten that the new artistic director of the Mercury Theater, Christopher Chase Carter, deserves credit in his focus on the positives of our melting-pot culture with both “Sister Act” and now “Women of Soul,” which plays through March 6.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | RONALD KEATON received an Equity Jeff Award for the performance of his one-man show CHURCHILL www.solochicagotheatre.com
PHOTO|Brett Beiner Photography
MERCURY THEATER CHICAGO
presents
WOMEN OF SOUL
through March 6, 2022
3745 N Southport Avenue
(773) 360 - 7365
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