RogerEbert.com announces the premiere of THE BLACK WHITE LOVE PLAY (The Story of Chaz & Roger Ebert)

CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As film critic Roger Ebert told it, he was smitten with his wife, Chaz, before he even knew her name. Dining with fellow newspaper columnist Eppie Lederer (better known as Ann Landers), Roger contrived a reason to visit the table of the mocha-skinned attorney -- to say hello to an acquaintance, he explained as he excused himself.

He returned with Chaz's phone number. "You sly dog," Lederer said.

So began their epic love story, captured in the musical The Black White Love Play (The Story of Chaz & Roger Ebert), conceived, written and produced by Black Ensemble Theater founder and CEO Jackie Taylor.

The Black White Love Play
September 26 – November 15, 2015
Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark St.
Valet parking is available

The official press opening is Sunday, October 4, at 3 p.m., and will be followed by a reception with Mrs. Ebert.

The Black White Love Play follows the Eberts' romance from their courtship, to their marriage, to Roger's 10-year cancer battle. Roger frequently penned odes to Chaz in his blog and called her the angel at his side.

How can I begin to tell you about Chaz? She fills my horizon, she is the great fact of my life, she has my love, she saved me from the fate of living out my life alone ... and when it was necessary she forced me to want to live. She was always there believing I could do it, and her love was like a wind forcing me back from the grave. (Excerpt from Roger's Journal on RogerEbert.com)

Together, they crossed boundaries and defied social conventions at a time, not long ago, when interracial couples drew sideways glances, even for a well-respected public figure like Roger Ebert.

"When I think about some of the romantic things he said, they still make my heart go pitter-patter," Chaz wrote in her blog July 18, their wedding anniversary.  

To capture the essence of their 20-plus years' romance, Taylor drew from Roger's biopic "Life Itself" and interviews with Chaz. The performance borrows a device from ancient Greece – where the chorus narrates the action via poetry, song and dance.

"Ancient Greek theater was based on a celebration of the Greek gods," Taylor explains. "I chose this form because in this story we are honoring love, and love is the greatest of the gods."

The song list includes some of the couple's favorites, including the song from the first dance at their wedding and an excerpt from the first Lyric Opera performance they saw together, "Tosca."

"I am honored that Jackie wants to share our story," Chaz said. "When Roger died, many friends told me that our love was a life force for them, too. Maybe that's because he always focused on compassion and what unites us."

The cast stars Rashada Dawan as Chaz Ebert and Kevin Pollack as Roger Ebert. The Chorus, members of which play multiple roles, includes Evelyn Danner, Rueben Echoles, Porsche King, Robbin Major, Jhardon Milton, Matthew Payne, Jessica Seals, Kyle Smith, Sally Staats and Qween Wicks.

B roll from The Black White Love Play is available for television and radio outlets featuring a number from the show and a scene.

Media contact for Chaz Ebert: Robin Beaman | [email protected] | 312-208-1212 or Shawn Taylor | [email protected] | 312-371-6260.

The Black Ensemble Theater
Founded in 1976 by producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects through the theater arts. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed more than 5,000 artists. For more information, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151002/273507

SOURCE Chaz Ebert