Reviving ‘Play On!’ in Chicago

Three decades ago, director Sheldon Epps envisioned a unique production combining Duke Ellington’s music with the plot of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, set in 1930s Harlem. Epps intended this to highlight Black excellence and joy, centered around Harlem’s vibrant cultural landscape. Originally debuting at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Play On! moved to Broadway in 1996 and featured notable actors Tonya Pinkins and André De Shields.

Cheryl L. West, known for works like Holiday Heart, wrote the musical’s book. Despite favorable reviews and Tony nominations for Pinkins and De Shields, the show struggled to capture an audience, closing after 61 performances. Undeterred, Epps collaborated with Goodman Theatre’s artistic director, Robert Falls, for a Chicago production in 1998, revitalizing the musical.

In a surprise phone call, Epps proposed the new production to Falls who gladly accepted. This version featured original cast members and introduced Paul Oakley Stovall. Chicago Tribune critic Richard Christiansen praised the revived show, calling it a “summer-long smash,” granting it renewed momentum.

The musical faded from the spotlight again until Epps concluded a 20-year tenure at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2017. Now, Chicago welcomes Play On! back, this time at Chicago Shakespeare Theater with Epps directing once more. Following a successful 2024 UK tour directed by Michael Buffong, interest resurged, paving the way for its Chicago return.

The current production features 16 cast members, including locals, and a live band performing Ellington’s classics. Epps incorporated more Shakespearean elements and enhanced choreography by Edgar Godineaux. He remarked on the increased complexity of this rendition, attributing it to his seasoned theatrical and television career, including directing Frasier and Girlfriends.

Epps expressed his love for working in Chicago and a passion for projects that inspire him. His recent Chicago work was the 2022 production of Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical at the Studebaker Theater, eyeing a Broadway future post-COVID.

The show is more than a project for Epps; it’s a manifestation of enduring passion. Play On! runs from September 11 to October 18, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier.