Black Love is…by heart, on fire, telling the truth, cellular, quiet, bass, thick, messy, deep, moisturized, intentional, album books, chicken and dumplings, soft, hardworking, past, present and forever.
Praize Productions, Inc. is here to remind us of our expansive and enduring love with their latest theatrical production, entitled “Black Love Reigns Supreme.” On May 3rd and 4th at the Logan Center for the arts, we will expand our sometimes limited perspective with vivid and palpable imagery, inspiring us to enliven and recall the spirit that is undeniably blacklove.
Tackling complex, socially-conscious issues is par for course for this multi award-winning, female-led organization. In their thirteenth season they don’t intend to tread lightly.
“Black Love Reigns Supreme” is like a big ole hug,” says Enneréssa LaNette, PPI’s passionate Executive Artistic Director. Featuring sixty dancers and seventy artists, the multi-disciplinary performance awakens our nostalgia by infusing spoken word, live music arranged by PPIs’ long time Music Director Dave Felton, diverse styles of dance and fully-immersive projection by projectionist Liviu Pasare, with video design by Miles Kelly.
Praize Productions presents "Black Love Reigns Supreme"
The interdisciplinary approach gives PPI the tools to further magnify our stories and the nuanced ways black people hold one another up. It will remind us that black love is more than a hashtag, a power couple, or a Netflix Category— it is a continuum and an integral way of life.
Longing for a more intimate venue than recent shows presented at the ten thousand-seat church, House of Hope for their first movie premiere “NINE” in 2022 and “Call Her By Name” in Millenium Park in 2023, “Black Love Reigns Supreme” finds itself leaning towards introspection, comfort and connection as PPI returns to their pre-pandemic home, the Logan Center for the Arts on Chicago’s South Side. “I miss the energy of the theater. It is important to structure your work but it is also important to know where to present the work.” elaborates LaNette.
Taking us on a Brown Sugar, neo-soul, fingersnappin’, Chicago late nineties kind of journey, “Black Love Reigns Supreme” brilliantly touches on three of the four Ancient Greek definitions of love: Eros, Philautia, and Agape, for a closer examination of the distinct ways we embrace one another.
“Wild Is the Wind” aligns with Eros, which emphasizes romantic love. An emotionally charged duet danced by Ben Marshall and Asja Stamps will steal your heart as they gracefully lift one another, as gently as they set one another down. “Wild Is the Wind” is one of three works choreographed by newly appointed Artistic Director William Gill, of Joel Hall Dancers.
This collaboration with Gill is special because he has touched the lives of all of the RIZE Pro Elite dancers, PPIs’ Professional Adult Company, at some point in their career. Additionally, he has worked closely with the guest male dancers in the show who hail from Hiplet Ballerinas, Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Centers’ professional company.
Praize Productions presents "Black Love Reigns Supreme"
Gill was also one of LaNette’s mentors during her tenure dancing with Joel Hall Dancers. His fierce choreographic debut with RIZE Pro-Elite in “Black Is the Color” at Ravinia in 2023 as part of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project laid some of the groundwork for “Black Love Reign Supreme” to ignite.
Gill shared his excitement for the works which also include “God Is A Woman,” a powerfully-built trio danced by Terri Woodall, Brandon Avery and Ben Marshall. In addition to the finale, he also choreographed “Every Word” danced by RIZE Pro Elite and guest dancers. During the company's rehearsal Gill reflected, “To see your choreography come alive, I ask myself, did I do that? This is truly the Baskin Robbins of negritude.”
“Wounded Black Man,” a spoken-word piece written and choreographed by LaNette, is brought to life by RIZE Pro Elite dancer Erica Wade with solo accompaniment by virtuoso saxophonist Isaiah Collier. Also an expression of Eros, this piece is soul-stirring, giving voice to and holding space for black men. Although this may feel like a slight departure from PPIs’ unapologetic female-centered nature, LaNette emphasizes that appreciating black men and others is a natural progression once you have learned how to properly love yourself.
As we journey through Philautia, described as self love, we are taken on an expressive passage of appreciation and acceptance. Danced to original poetry written by the PPI youth division, “Self Love” is a gorgeous work, envisioned by LaNette and Shana Cruzat. Reflective of PPIs’ signature impassioned style, the dancers undulate and perfect their technique with complete ownership over their bodies and subject matter.
Praize Productions presents "Black Love Reigns Supreme"
Closing out the first half, is “Love Like That” choreographed by Brandon Avery, Tashielle Cieara, Shanna Cruzat, Ennerèssa LaNette and Terri Woodall all Teaching artists from PPI’s Academy. This explosive hip-hop piece further amplifies Agape, which is gods’ unconditional love. Featuring a crunk collaboration between Movement Strengthen Balance, Dance With Me Productions, and PPI Youth Division, it is beautiful to see the three South Side dance organizations unite as one in this piece.
Although the dancers are diverse in age, they stand together in every movement and their blackness. “Part of black love is getting back to our roots, which is our community. This is what we stem from: a village raises a child. It’s not just about PPI. In all aspects of the show we are collaborative. We get out of the competition mindset and get back to sharing resources, when I have it, you have it.” says LaNette.
At the heart of black love are black relationships and since 2010, PPI has been pouring into the black community by investing in relationships with black artists, black children and supporting black businesses. In 2024, they have evolved into a full service not for profit organization balancing the tentacles of a performing arts academy, professional adult company, youth company, E.P.I.C Women of Color Conference and so much more. Additionally, they are members of the Obama Girls Opportunity Alliance and the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project. As their branches continue to reach wide, their roots grow deeper and at the center of it all is an endless love for our people.
LaNette concludes, “If I was to put my two cents in, after Agape (god’s love), the next highest love would be black love. We send shockwaves through the world. The power we have when we understand that makes us unstoppable. From start to finish, 'Black Love Reigns Supreme' is like a beautiful love letter. Bring your significant other, your best friend, bring your tissue because it’s one of those! I want this performance to bring marriages closer, sisters closer, families closer, bring us closer to our higher power. I want black people to leave the theater feeling so loved and celebrated. And I want them to take that love and bring it to their jobs, to their homes, to their families and let it permeate beyond the performance.”
"Black Love Reigns Supreme" is presented by Praize Productions Inc. and runs May 3-4 at the Reva and David Logan Center, 915 E 60th St. Showtimes are 7pm. Tickets are $45 at praizeproductions.com.
