Bell Biv DeVoe and Bobby Brown as RBRM extend New Edition’s branches in Arie Crown sell out

The groundswell of attention surrounding New Edition and all its various offshoots after the group’s biopic shattered viewing records on Black Entertainment Television hasn’t been higher thus far this century. The fact that 2018 also aligns with the its 40th anniversary only adds to the clamoring for a full-fledged reunion between Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill, but unfortunately, that never materialized when members couldn’t get on the same page either schedule-wise or otherwise.

Just the fact the guys are still alive after at least a hundred lifetimes’ worth of drama is a miracle and this debut RBRM tour places equal emphasis on redemption as it does the series of songs that will forever live in the hearts of their steadfast fans.

But rather than sit on the sidelines and let all the headlines drift way, at least Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike got their act together to form the new supergroup RBRM (aptly described as the latest branch of the famed boy band), which was enough to sell out Chicago’s sizable Arie Crown Theater right up to the most distant balcony. When they eventually took the stage with a full band, DJ and dance crew after more than an hour of hype, the guys dove straight into the mega-hits, alternating between collaborative versions Brown’s “My Prerogative” and “Don’t Be Cruel” with Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Do Me” and “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?”

There was no questioning their collective chemistry, but as is customary, members also broke away for solo segments that favored old school selections, despite BBD dropping the 2017 long player “Three Stripes” and Brown having cued up the new single “Like Bobby.” Naturally, the peppering but by no means exhaustive exploration of New Edition earned tremendous cheers, especially the soulful ballad “Jealous Girl,” the sugary “Mr. Telephone Man” and the mature “Hit Me Off.”

Given that RBRM just began, the foursome briefly admitted confusion over where they were in the show and occasionally seemed to be deciding what to do on the fly. There was no stopping their collective force once they got back on track, but there’s definitely fine-tuning to be done and the roughly 80-minutes offered, though satisfying, didn’t feel like quite enough (with NE’s “Cool It Now,” “If It Isn’t Love,” a complete “Can Your Stand The Rain” or Brown’s “On Our Own” from “Ghostbusters II” as a fraction of the several suggestions that could be added).

At least they didn’t leave without all the essential ballads, Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison” and Brown’s “Every Little Step,” which the BBD guys said was rumored to have been written for New Edition, but offered to join the solo star anyway, who was more than happy to benefit from the help. But as everyone indicated (and “The Bobby Brown Story” further articulated), just the fact he and all the guys are still alive after at least a hundred lifetimes’ worth of drama is a miracle and this debut RBRM tour places equal emphasis on redemption as it does the series of songs that will forever live in the hearts of their steadfast fans.

For additional information on RBRM, visit Facebook.com/OfficialRBRM/.

For a list of upcoming shows at Arie Crown Theater, visit ArieCrown.com.