The Black Rep
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Black Rep excels in delivering high-quality, culturally significant live theatrical productions featuring excellent casts, impressive sets, and strong vocal performances. While their live shows receive glowing reviews for artistic merit, there are significant and recurring issues with organizational communication and reliability regarding educational classes, making enrollment a challenging and potentially disappointing experience for parents and children.
Key Highlights
- ✓High-quality live theatrical productions with creative scenery, impressive sets, top-notch lighting, and props.
- ✓Excellent, phenomenal, and impressive performers with strong singing abilities.
- ✓Polite and helpful staff providing good front-of-house service during live performances.
- ✓Offers unique concessions like 'delicious Chicago popcorn' (though not for consumption in the theater).
- ✓Focuses on culturally relevant programming, including acclaimed August Wilson plays.
Standout Features
- ⭐High production value in stage sets, lighting, props, and costumes (e.g., 1920s costumes).
- ⭐Talented and professional cast consistently receives praise for their performances.
- ⭐Variety of theatrical genres, including musicals ('Blues in the Night') and intense dramas ('King Headley II').
- ⭐Friendly and helpful staff visible during performances.
- ⭐Specific focus on Black artists and stories, appealing to parents seeking culturally aligned experiences for their children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**For Live Shows:** Plan for potentially long durations (up to 3 hours total) and late endings (shows starting at 8 pm may end at 11 pm), especially if attending with children or if you have travel plans.
- →**For Live Shows:** Do not bring outside food or drinks, and be prepared that purchased concessions like popcorn cannot be consumed inside the theater.
- →**For Live Shows:** Leave cameras and filming devices at home, as photography and videography are strictly prohibited during performances.
- →**For Classes:** Exercise extreme caution when enrolling in classes. Attempt to secure direct, confirmed communication (beyond online sign-ups or voicemails) before promising enrollment to your child due to severe reported unresponsiveness and unreliability.
- →**For Class Enrollment:** Consider alternatives for theater classes if prompt communication and reliable scheduling are priorities, as this organization has significant issues in this area.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Severe communication issues for classes: no response to online sign-ups, full voicemail, and no callbacks reported over several weeks.
- ⚠Unreliable class scheduling: classes advertised to begin on March 1st did not start, leading to child disappointment.
- ⚠Long show durations (up to 2 hours 45 minutes plus intermission, totaling almost 3 hours) and late start times (e.g., 8 pm ending at 11 pm) may be unsuitable for younger children or families with early bedtimes.
- ⚠Reported organizational professionalism issues, including being removed from social media pages and receiving 'the runaround' at headquarters by a former collaborator, indicating potential internal management problems.
- ⚠Strict rules during performances: no eating in the theater and no camera or filming allowed.
Price & Value
No specific ticket or class prices are mentioned in the reviews. The value for live performances appears high given the praise for production quality and cast talent. However, the value for classes is extremely low due to significant communication failures and class unreliability, which can lead to wasted time and disappointment for parents and children.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility features are mentioned for The Black Rep as an organization.
- •One performance was at 'Edison Theater at WashU', which may have its own venue-specific accessibility features, but this is not tied to The Black Rep's general operations.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No eating is allowed inside the theater for live performances.
- •Concessions, such as 'delicious Chicago popcorn', are available, implying designated areas for consumption.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking is provided in the reviews.
- •One review mentions a performance at 'Edison Theater at WashU', which may involve university parking options, but this is not indicative of The Black Rep's usual parking situation if they operate from other venues.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No information about crowd levels is mentioned in the reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features related to the venue or children's programs are mentioned.
- •Rules against cameras/filming are standard for live performances to protect intellectual property and performers.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Relying on online sign-ups or voicemail for class enrollment or inquiries, as communication is reportedly poor and unreliable.
- • Bringing young children to evening performances with late start times and long durations, as shows can end as late as 11 pm.
- • Expecting to eat or drink inside the main performance venue, as this is prohibited.
- • If you prioritize consistent and professional communication from an organization, especially concerning children's programs.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Raisin The Musical
In 1950s South Side Chicago, Mama Lena dreams of a new life in a better neighborhood while her family members have their own ideas. Jazz, gospel, and pop make for a musical treat in this Tony Award-winning adaptation of the Lorraine Hansberry play, A Raisin in the Sun.
Sophisticated Ladies Luncheon
2024
Recent Reviews
Jamal Williams
7 months agoThe scenery was very creative. The sets took me back in time. The costumes were from the 20s. The performers were excellent. The singing was impressive. The staff that greeted me were polite and helpful. They remained that wall from beginning to end. I purchased some Chicago popcorn, and it was delicious. A word of caution. You can't eat in the theater. There is no camera or filming allowed for this live performance. Blues in the Night is the 1st show of the season. I plan to go back to see another show. Perhaps it will be the comedy performance that's next.
Bee Victoria
2 months agoMy daughter is interested in theater. My mother and aunt attended as children and recommended this place. I signed up for classes online 3 weeks ago, I haven't got a response. Classes were to begin March 1. I called and left a message. Called again last week and voicemail is full. Still no callback or info about class. Sad, I've been telling my 7 yr old for a whole month she was starting theater in March and now she will not. We will have to send her to other theater classes where she will be a minority. I wanted her with black teachers and peers.
roeshell robinson
9 months agoWe traveled from Memphis to see King Headley II at the Edison Theater at WashU. It was awesome!!! The cast was phenomenal! We have seen several plays by August Wilson but this was the best one! The stage set, the lighting, and props were top notch. The play was 2 hours and 45 minutes long with a 15 minute intermission. It started at 8 pm so we didn’t get out until 11pm. It would be nice if they started at 7pm since the show was almost 3 hours. Other than that, it was a great show with an excellent cast. You have to plan to see at least one show and I guarantee that you will enjoy it.
A K
3 months agoI’m not sure what happened with this organization, but it has become clear that they want nothing to do with me. What did I do? I genuinely have no idea. I’ve tried to follow their Facebook page, only to be removed multiple times. I’ve visited their headquarters, only to be given the runaround. Despite this, I’ve worked with the Black Rep on several occasions and remained supportive even when they couldn’t afford to pay. That’s okay—I’ll continue producing my own productions, where everyone is welcome! I truly wish the Black Rep the best. However, if you see me in person, don’t avoid me only to speak ill of me behind my back. If I’ve done something wrong, let’s have an open conversation. Best wishes, Adrian
Laura Moore
a month agoSuperb, simply superb live theatre.