Black Ensemble Theater: HITT Records Review
Jaitee Thomas, Britt Edwards, Michael Lunder
Black Ensemble Theater Presents HITT RECORDS Review - Nothin’ But Hits Here
TLDR: Framed in the Hitt brothers record store, the two brothers share their vast musical knowledge with their nephew and various customers. As they share the history of artists and albums, the store turns into a stage and we’re treated to song samplings from these various artists spanning decades of musical history.
Dennis Dent, Lyle Miller, Vincent Jordan
Black Ensemble Theater Is Playing Only the Hits
The energy is already electric walking into the Black Ensemble Theater. Recognizable songs are playing in the preshow from Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.” It adds to the music theme of the afternoon and gets us in the mood for more.
“Welcome to Hitt Records, if it's not a hit, we don't have it!”
With a name like Hitt, it only makes sense that you would open a music store. Set here in Chicago, the two Hitt brothers, Charles and James, have curated the best selection of vintage records, but only the hits! This is their signature greeting they chime in together every time a customer walks through the door. Most smile and say thanks then head over to the racks and racks of records lining the store. But every once in a while, someone comes in looking for a specific sound.
We’ve got a guy going to a party and looking for a record that needs to hit that sweet spot of being just obscure enough to be cool, but still recognizable. There’s a DJ who's booked for an oldies gig and needs some good recommendations. And then there’s a woman looking for that one record that is going to spark a nostalgic trip.
Each customer is greeted with an offer to help in any way and we can tell these shop owners are ready to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and boost your musicality cred along the way.
Class Is In Session
With each request, one of the brothers gets a chance to share some music education with not only the customer, but also bring their next generation nephew into the fold to appreciate all the music that inspired his favorite artists today.
We get a lesson in disco - how it was written off as just a “subculture” rather than a movement and the furious backlash that happened at the Disco Demolition night at Comiskey Park. They tell us all about the drama with The Temptations switching front men. And we get a lesson on one of the first Black and queer musicians to hit the charts.
There’s some good natured ribbing as they teach their nephew how to work in the shop. He even catches the helpfulness bug and rushes to help a customer find the girl group record she’s been searching for, eager to show off his newfound knowledge.
Dennis Dent, Destin Warner, Vincent Jordan, Lyle Miller (front)
Class Dismissed, Time to Party
As a brother pulls a record from the shelf, the matching album pops up on the side video screens and once he’s finished his explanation, we’re in for a show. The stage rotates, the shop fades away and is replaced by one or more of the ensemble members embodying that artist ready to sing that hit. Qiana McNary plays disco divas from Cheryl Lynn to Gloria Gaynor. DeVaughn Loman has audience members raising their fists in solidarity as he performs a Bob Marley medley. And Lyle Miller has everyone doing the Mashed Potato and clapping their hands with his rendition of “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett.
At the end of the day as the shop closes up, we feel like we’ve been taken through a short, but thorough history lesson of music hits. But the fun doesn’t stop when the shop sign turns to “Close.” The ensemble comes back out for a few last numbers for the final concert where even the brothers join in the party.
Michael Lunder and ensemble members
The After Party Thoughts
Expect a musical revue more so than a theater performance with Hitt Records. We get to enjoy hearing these hit songs performed live framed by placing it in a day in the life scene of these brothers and nephew working their shop. We fall into a rhythm pretty easily where a customer comes in asking for a recommendation, we get the artist and their history, and then a performance of one of their hit songs. Aside from it being pretty formulaic, the two hour showtime feels like the perfect amount of time to enjoy these classics with some jokes and lessons along the way.
RECOMMENDED
Lyle Miller and ensemble members
When
Now through January 26, 2025
Where
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center
4450 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
Runtime: 2hrs, including intermission
Tickets
$56.50+
Tickets can be purchased through the Black Ensemble Theater website
Photos
Alan Davis
Qiana C. McNary, Vincent Jordan
CAST
Vincent Jordan (James Hitt)
Dennis Dent (Charles Hitt)
Destin Warner (Vincent)
Lyle Miller (Ensemble)
Rhonda Preston (Ensemble)
Michael Lunder (Ensemble)
Qiana McNary (Ensemble)
Dwight Neal (Ensemble)
Trequon Tate (Ensemble)
Jaitee Thomas (Ensemble)
Britt Edwards (Ensemble)
DeVaughn Loman (Ensemble)
CREATIVE
Jackie Taylor (Executive Director/CEO)
Daryl D. Brooks (Writer/Director)
Robert Reddrick (Music Director/Drummer/Arranger)
Adam Sherrod (Keys)
Myron Cherry (Drums)
Oscar Brown Jr. (Bass/Band Leader)
Eric Troy Sr. (Piano)
Charles “Chip” Dubose (Guitar)
Dawon Washington (Saxophone)
Antwan Washington (Trumpet)
Bill McFarland (Trombone)
Denise Karczewski (Set/Light Designer)
Sean Alvarez (Sound Design)
JaVaughn Hannah (A2)
DJ Douglass (Projection Design)
Keith Ryan (Wig Design)
Cat Andrade (Stage Manager)
Evelyn Danner (Costume Designer)
Marquecia Jordan (Assistant Costume Designer)
Christopher Carter (Choreographer)
Harrison Orneals (Technical Director)
Isaac Ray (Vocal Arranger)
Rachel West (Master Electrician)