Photos provided by Aaron Reese Boseman

The endurance of Earth, Wind & Fire’s iconic catalogue more than speaks for itself a half-century since getting off the ground right here in Chicago, though chances are the backstory isn’t as commonly known for these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees with six standard Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement, plus a plethora of other honors from similarly esteemed organizations too numerous to mention.

Thankfully, Black Ensemble Theater’s “Reasons: A Tribute To Earth, Wind & Fire,” which starts the “2023 Season Of Excellence: Rejuvenation,” doesn’t only dive into the group’s funky and soulful songbook, but given an absorbing script by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks, reveals all the marvelous elements that make them tick.

His vision comes to further fruition thanks to just as phenomenal of a cast, starring Christian Denzel Bufford (Mature Maurice White), Rashun Carter (Ramsey Lewis and Verdine White), RJ Griffith (Young Maurice White), Miciah Lathan (Ensemble), Gregory Stewart Jr. (Philip Bailey), Rhonda Preston (Ms. Robinson), Dwight Neal (Dr. Adams), Trequon Tate (Booker T.), Tommy Thurston (Phil Collins/Drill Sergeant/Clive Davis/Leonard Chess/Ensemble), Keya Trammell (Mother Dear) and Yajaira Velez (Ensemble).

Of course, the one and only Maurice White is the groundbreaker who orchestrated the monumental journey and “Reasons” vividly documents a constantly challenging but loving upbringing, juggling odd jobs with musical aspirations, transforming into a professional session player for Chess Records, who bravely negotiates for better financial benefits, and eventually, earns a sizeable salary while keeping the jazzy beat for a Madison Square Garden-bound Ramsey Lewis Trio.

However, a growing desire to rewrite the rule book finds White voluntarily leaving the latter to form Earth, Wind & Fire, named ever so cleverly after aspects of a customized astrological chart, who went from battling record labels, to taking total creative control and complete ownership of his recordings, which was practically unheard of in those days, especially for Black artists.

But as the lengthy list of hits indicates, brought to life by an exceptional band, superb lead singing by both Bufford and Griffith, along with the fantastic falsetto of Stewart Jr., EWF ultimately rose above racism to build bridges as one of the world’s best-selling acts to ever assemble under any genre.

“Boogie Wonderland,” “Fantasy,” “That’s The Way Of The World,” “Shining Star,” “Sing-A-Song” and “September” are a mere few of the many to make the exceptional playlist, plus there are several bonuses surrounding the era, including Lewis & EWF’s “Sun Goddess,” White’s production of Deniece Williams’ “Free,” opening act The Emotions’ “Best Of My Love” and Bailey’s collaboration with Phil Collins on “Easy Lover.”

In between the grooves, there are lots of bittersweet interactions and incidents, yet despite some life-altering setbacks, Earth, Wind & Fire burns brightly to this very day and the Black Ensemble’s already extended, regularly sold out run could easily be bound for Broadway.

“Reasons: A Tribute To Earth, Wind & Fire” continues at the Black Ensemble Theater through Sunday, April 30. For additional details, visit BlackEnsembleTheater.org.

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