In “Grandma’s Jukebox,” director/playwright Michelle Renee Bester creates a dual celebration. On the one hand, the Black Ensemble Theater production running through June 26 packs some 15 songs from a wealth of genres into the 90-minute staging. From gospel to Motown to disco to “Thriller”-era Michael Jackson and beyond, Bester delivers a grand tribute to the almighty powers of timeless, groundbreaking tunes that have endured across generations.
On the other hand, Bester didn’t title her piece simply “Jukebox.” While the titular grandmother is only seen as a framed photo, she’s also celebrated throughout, the music coming in the context of four cousins reminiscing, grieving and paying homage to their beloved matriarch.
