Sheldon Epps Revives ‘Play On!’ in Chicago

Thirty years ago, Sheldon Epps had a fresh idea. He wanted to blend Duke Ellington’s music with the story of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and set it in 1930s Harlem. This vision aimed to highlight Black excellence, artistry, and joy. According to Epps, Harlem’s magic during that era was undeniable, and he believed it could be revived.

At the time Epps served as an associate artistic director at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It was there that “Play On!” first premiered in the fall of 1996. The following spring, the show moved to Broadway with notable actors like Tonya Pinkins and André De Shields. Cheryl L. West, known for works like “Holiday Heart,” penned the book for the musical. Despite respectable reviews and Tony Award nominations for Pinkins and De Shields, the production struggled to draw audiences and closed after 61 performances.

By 1998, Epps revisited the show. He approached Robert Falls, the artistic director of Goodman Theatre, and proposed a Chicago production. Falls, captivated by the show’s cast recording, welcomed the idea. This Chicago version featured both Pinkins and De Shields, and introduced Paul Oakley Stovall. The production was a success, with critic Richard Christiansen labeling it a “summer-long smash.”

After its Chicago triumph, “Play On!” faded into the background. Epps went on to lead the Pasadena Playhouse for two decades, concluding his tenure in 2017 to return to freelance directing. Now “Play On!” is back in Chicago at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Epps envisions potential future runs in London’s West End and Broadway.

This new Chicago production includes a 16-member cast, with half from Chicago, and features a six-piece band playing Ellington classics. The play’s return follows a successful UK tour in 2024 under Michael Buffong’s direction. Interest resurged among U.S. audiences, influenced by conversations Epps had with Barbara Gaines before her retirement as Chicago Shakespeare’s artistic director. Gaines praised the show, celebrating its themes of love, joy, and music.

For this staging, Epps enhanced the Shakespearean elements and deepened the choreography, crafted by Edgar Godineaux. “It’s more challenging now,” he noted. Epps, who also worked as a TV director on shows like “Frasier” and “Girlfriends,” carefully chooses his projects today. His recent Chicago work includes “Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical,” which played at the Studebaker Theater in 2022.

Epps enjoys working in Chicago, driven by passion rather than financial needs. “I love working in Chicago. And while I don’t have to work for the money, I do like to do something that ignites my passion. That’s true of this show, even after all these years.”

Play On!

Runs from Sept. 11 to Oct. 18 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; visit www.chicagoshakes.com