If you’ve ever been to one of Black Ensemble Theater’s signature jukebox musicals, you’ll know to expect a warm, inclusive and celebratory atmosphere with bite-sized musical history lessons that are easy on the ears. “Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People” follows in this vein, but here, writer and director Jackie Taylor goes the extra mile to emphasize the message that “we are all one.”
Coined in the mid-1960s, “blue-eyed soul” referred to white artists singing in the traditionally African American genres of soul and R&B. As the popularity of these musical styles grew, radio stations began to integrate their playlists, DJs and staff to appeal to both Black and white listeners.
While this history could be read simply as an example of white people appropriating Black art, Taylor embraces the music of singers from the Righteous Brothers to Mariah Carey, and her all-Black cast and band perform beloved classics and lesser-known oldies with gusto.
On a set that evokes a Greek amphitheater (designed by Denise Karczewski), Rhonda Preston presides as the Voice, an emcee and spiritual guide who leads the audience on a journey through musical history. The show is framed as a concert at a venue called the Oracle, “a musical home where we celebrate life.”
Six actors portray the Essences, or attributes that connect all people: Mind (Vincent Jordan), Intellect (Taryn Welch), Humanity (Tia Jemison), Passion (Britt Edwards), Spirit (Dwight Neal at the performance I saw) and Soul (Direoce Junirs).
Raeven Carroll, Dennis Dent and Trequon Tate round out the cast as the Historians, or musicians who are hired as backup singers at the Oracle and try to make sense of the concert’s blue-eyed/brown-eyed theme throughout the show. When the Historians define blue-eyed soul as “Black music sung by white people” or “white people singing Black music,” the Voice contradicts them, promising to reveal the correct answer in time.
Beginning in the early years of blue-eyed soul with groups such as Rare Earth — the first successful all-white band signed by Motown Records — members of the ensemble share brief biographical details about the artists before performing one of their hits (or, in the case of Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones, an entire medley). Music director Robert Reddrick leads an onstage band that includes Adam Sherrod (piano), Oscar Brown Jr. (guitar) and Walter Harrington (bass).
The show takes a broad view of soul, with a detour into country music that charts its roots in blues and acknowledges the influence of Black artists from Ray Charles and Tina Turner to Beyoncé and Lil Nas X. As long as a musician sings “soulful music,” their songs are welcome in this performance, the Voice says as she introduces Carroll and Edwards’ rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” written by Dolly Parton and famously covered by Whitney Houston. The King of Rock and Roll also makes an appearance, as do genre-blending pop stars such as Christina Aguilera.
As the show nears its end, the Voice ties up the entire package with a generous bow. It doesn’t matter whether someone has blue eyes or brown eyes, she says. Mind, intellect, humanity, passion, spirit and soul bring us together. There’s no room for jealousy or negative energy on this stage. We are all one.
Emily McClanathan is a freelance critic.
Review: “Blue Eyed Soul Sung by Brown Eyed People” (3 stars)
When: Through Nov. 10
Where: Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.
Running time: 2 hours
Tickets: $56.50-$66.50 at blackensembletheater.org
