Mercury's 'Women of Soul' is so rousing, it raises the roof

While we’re all grateful that Mercury Theater Chicago saved itself from pandemic closure, it might be prudent of them to get some structural engineers in there to check things out, because as long as the powerhouse revue Women of Soul is playing there, the rafters don’t stand a chance.

Not that it’s a total surprise they’re serving up a whiz-bang, high-octane celebration of female soul icons, Black and blue-eyed. The title is short, sweet, to the point. The artists represented are right there on the poster: Gladys, Whitney, Dionne, and so on. (No last names necessary.) And this is technically a revival engagement, having first played at Black Ensemble Theater in fall 2018 (our review of which can be found here.)

From the purest pop whistle tones to the earthiest blues howls; from the uplift of the club to the exaltation of the spirit; writer-director Daryl D. Brooks and music director Robert Reddrick blaze a century-long trail of joy, sweat, tears, and millions upon millions of 45s. He’d be nothing, though, without his women. In alphabetical order, those would be: Cynthia F. Carter, Robyn K. DaSilva, Hannah Efsits, Jerica Exum, Colleen Perry, Rhonda Preston, Jessica Brook Seals, and Aeriel Williams. Brilliant impersonators, every one of them (aided and abetted by Rueben D. Echoles’s costumes and wigs), who also bring just enough of an individual touch to mark them as talents to follow. Talents for whom to fashion original material, perhaps.

And talents to revel in, as long as they haven’t blown off Mercury's roof.

Women of Soul plays through March 6th at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport. For tickets or more information, please call (773) 325-1700 or click here.

Photo by Brett Beiner.