Black Ensemble Theater Announces an Open Run for ALL IN LOVE IS FAIR

The Black Ensemble Theater World Premiere of "All In Love Is Fair" opened this past March to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. This unique take on traditional love stories, is produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor and choreographed by Rueben Echoles. "All In Love Is Fair" features an incredible ensemble cast as well as music from renowned artists such as Luther Vandross, Brook Benton, James Ingram, Gladys Knight and Roberta Flack. The show kicked off the 2011 Season at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon Street, and is now on an open run.

"All In Love Is Fair" is set in Love, Illinois, a small fictitious town located on the southernmost tip of Illinois. This town is populated by an eclectic group of characters who have learned to live together. Everyone in Love, Illinois loves someone, but as the story unfolds, each relationship reveals a different meaning when it comes to loving oneself, how to love one another and how to love fellow man. "All In Love Is Fair" is a musical comedy, full of dance, great music and a whole lot of love that will uplift, inspire and ignite the fire that lives within.

"Black Ensemble Theater is known for its successful formulaic productions; however ‘All Is Fair In Love' is not a tribute to an individual, but a story defining the meaning of who we love and how we love as human beings," states Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Artistic Director Jackie Taylor. "Love is a universality that all human beings can relate to and this is a story that will resonate beyond our racial identity and speak to everyone, while utilizing the beautiful language of music."

Rhonda Preston stars alongside Zachary Boyd as Renea and Zeland, an older couple experiencing a mid-life crisis. The cast of "All In Love Is Fair" also includes Katrina Miller (Katie), Lyle Miller (Lee), Vasily Deris (Venie), Carrie (Cara), Lawrence Williams (Lewis), Aeriel Williams (Athena), Jenny Lamb (Jenean), Daryl Brooks (Cortez), Dawn Bless (Diedra), Dwight Neal (Dorian) and Donald Barnes (Doug).

Musical Director Robert Reddrick is joined by a four-piece orchestra that includes Tracy Baker (bass), HerBert Walker (guitar), and Mark Moutrop (piano).

In addition to directing, Taylor is also the costume designer and is joined on the production team by Lyle Miller (vocal coach), Denise Karczewski (lighting design), Carl Ulaszek (set design) and Victoria Cammon (stage manager).

Performance Schedule & Tickets
Through May 29, performances for "All In Love Is Fair" are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. After that performances will only be held on Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $47.50 on Saturdays and Sundays. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups. Tickets, including group tickets, are available by calling the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office at 773-769-4451, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. All performances will take place at The Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon Street.

The Black Ensemble Theater
The Black Ensemble Theater Company was founded in 1976 by Jackie Taylor, who has written and directed more than 100 productions for the company. In addition to its main stage productions, the Black Ensemble Theater Company produces ‘Plays with a Purpose,' a series of original youth-oriented musicals, designed to teach students positive life lessons and values, as well as several community-based programs that use theater arts to enhance and enrich the lives of countless youth, students and families.

Black Ensemble Theater is in the final stages of its capital campaign to build a new home for the company, the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center. Of the $19 million needed for the project $16 million has been raised to date and the Black Ensemble Theater just broke ground this past September.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts. For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

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