Due to popular demand the "Excitement" will last a bit longer. The Black Ensemble Theatre's production of "The Jackie Wilson Story" has been extended through March 18.

The show stopping musical written and directed byJackie Taylor chronicles the rise and fall of the legendary soul singer Jackie Wilson who fans bestowed with the moniker, "Mr. Excitement."

The talented Kevin Roston Jr. brings Wilson to life performing many of his chart-topping hits, including: "(Your Love Keeps Liftin' Me) Higher & Higher," "To Be Loved," "Danny Boy," and "Doggin' Me Around." Roston is joined by Dawn Bless, RaShawn Thompson, Melanie McCullough, Trinity Murdock, Carrie, Lawrence Williams, Lyle Miller, Rueben Echols and Robin Beamen.

Since opening nationwide in 2000, "The Jackie Wilson Story" has been a huge success and included a national tour in 2002 which culminated at the famous Apollo Theater in New York.

Editor's Note: For tickets and more information on show times log on to www.blackensembletheatre.org or call the box office at (773) 769-4451. The Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4520 N. Beacon Street. Chicago, IL 60640.

OTHER THEATRE NEWS

LORETTA DEVINE TO STAR IN STAGE PLAY "MY BROTHER'S KEEPER"

"Prolific writer and director Don B. Welch has done it again. After the overwhelming national success of "The Bachelorette Party", "The Divorce" and "The Bachelor Party," he returns to the Los Angeles main stage with what some may deem, his most controversial and stirring piece yet, "My Brother's Keeper" (MBK).

"My Brother's Keeper" will run at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, in Los Angeles, March 30--March 31.

The all-star cast is led by Emmy Award winner and five-time NAACP Image Award winner,Loretta Devine, eight-time NAACP Image Award nominee, Vanessa Bell Calloway, NAACP Image Award winner, Vanessa Williams, Popular television actors, Flex Alexander, ("One on One") Chico Benymon,("Half & Half"), Ernest L. Thomas ("Everybody Hates Chris") and supermodel/actor, Jason Olive ("Tyler Perry's For Better Or Worse) and R&B star "Shanice Wilson" who will perform "live" on stage.

The story surrounds two blood brothers ("Skylar & Storm") who own and operate the family business--Legends nightspot in L.A. Recent events and unforeseen circumstances pit brother against brother in what may be the battle of their lives. "Will lies, lust, greed, betrayal, and the success of "Legends" be the downfall of this family dynasty?

Actors, Vincent M. Ward, Tasia Sherel, Azur-De, Amy Holland Pennell, Theresa Ford, Ky Ziegler, Kristy Flores, Leland White & Todd Anthony round out the powerhouse cast.

Writer-director, Don B. Welch is hoping "MBK" will follow the success of his nationally known productions, "The Bachelorette Party" and The Bachelor Party, which has been turned into a hot national selling novel and DVD film.

Editor's Note: Tickets for "My Brother's Keeper" are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, the Ebell Box office and Inglewood Tickets at 310-671-6400. Picture of Kevin Roston Jr. courtesy of Danny Nicholas.