Director Daryl D. Brooks brings back his musical revue of Women of Soul to Mercury Theater Chicago, celebrating some of the top women of Soul that have graced the stage. First seen at The Black Ensemble Theater, Mercury has brought a few of BET’s ensemble members, including the band members, top singers, and some younger vocalists who will knock your socks off with their vocal talent. The performance also includes an upgrade with better staging and costumes. 

This two-hour concert honors greats like Gladys Knight, Mahalia Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Donna Summers, Etta James, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Tina Marie (with a bit of help from Rick James), Janis Joplin, Adele and ending with an ensemble celebration tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. 

We attended the Sunday afternoon show, and the audience was more subdued and laid-back than the enthusiastic crowd from the opening night; however, the singing was still fantastic. Starting with Robyn K. Dasilva, who had me in tears singing Mahalia Jackson’s “Trouble of The World.” I got the honor of speaking with Robyn afterward, telling her that my mother always played Mahalia’s music. And when my mother passed, I played one of Mahalia’s songs in her ear. Next, Cynthia F. Carter graced us with her powerful voice, singing “Big Mama” Thornton, the original singer of “You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog; pilfered and rerecorded by Elvis Presley. Next, the Soulful Rhonda Preston sang Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) and Evelyn “Champagne” King, “Shame.   

I’m old school to the core, and I’m sure I will hear some comments about this, but the night went to the young ladies, Jessica Brooks Seals, Aerial Williams, Jerica Exum, Hannah Efsits, and Colleen Perry, who demonstrated that they could hang with the vets. Jessica Brooks Seals was amazing singing Etta James’s “I’d Rather Go Blind.” I’ve always enjoyed Jessica singing, but babygirl has to nail that tempo in Betty Wright’s “Tonight is the Night.”   

Aeriel Williams’s grace and beauty rocked Diana Ross, “I’m Coming Out.” Jerica Exum nailed Whitney Houston’s; I Have Nothing & Mariah Carey’s Emotions, incredibly hitting the hit notes in both songs. And let’s not forget the fantastic voices of Hannah Efsits and Colleen Perry. Hannah was awesome as Tina Marie and Amy Winehouse’s, Valerie and Colleen nailed Adele and Janis Joplin’s, Pieces of My Heart. They allowed one man into the act, with Dwight Neal, who performs well as Rick James, but that 70’s jumpsuit he’s wearing needs some work.   

Women of Soul stays with the BET’s format of highlighting the famous singers’ lives, with great details about how they made it big and some of the struggles they endured. We got a glimpse of songs from Jill Scott, Anita Baker, Beyonce, Tina Turner, Gloria Gaynor, Rihanna, Mavis Staples, and Mary J. Blige. The Women of Soul ladies sang many other songs from these artists, not mentioned here, as I prefer that you get a ticket and enjoy the night with them; instead of naming all of the songs. 

I’m a product of the ’60s and 70’s music, so I enjoyed Women of Soul. However, one criticism is when I hear others singing these songs, I like the vocals to be as close to the original singer to get that feeling of “That’s My Jam,” which I didn’t feel with some of the songs. But that doesn’t take away the overall performance in this musical tribute. You will have a blast hearing these classic songs honoring some of the most remarkable women of Soul.  

Let’s Play Highly Recommends Women of Soul at Mercury Theater Chicago. 

Mercury Theater Chicago

Women of Soul

Written and Directed by Daryl D. Brooks

Musical Direction by Robert Reddrick

Playing Now – March 6, 2022

Running Time: 2 hrs including intermission

Tickets $35 – $80

https://www.mercurytheaterchicago.com/

https://fb.watch/b1wXSc6VZp/