{"id":4028,"date":"2026-09-24T05:03:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T05:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/you-cant-fake-funk-september\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T05:03:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T05:03:55","slug":"you-cant-fake-funk-september","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/you-cant-fake-funk-september\/","title":{"rendered":"When To See You Can&#8217;t Fake The Funk in September 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music is a 28-song revue tracing funk from James Brown through Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth, Wind &amp; Fire, running September 5\u2013October 25, 2026 at Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago.<\/li>\n<li>The production features a live nine-piece band, specific cast portrayals of funk legends, and a two-act structure lasting about two hours and ten minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Standard tickets are $69, with a $59 rate for seniors 65+ and ages 17 and under; a 5-Play Card package offers savings for repeat attendees.<\/li>\n<li>Performances follow a weekend schedule with Friday 7 PM, Saturday 2 PM and 7 PM, and Sunday 2 PM shows, plus select Sunday evening performances.<\/li>\n<li>OnesToWatch Live will continue covering funk\u2019s living legacy and the artists carrying the tradition forward in 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Get Tickets For Upcoming Performances<\/h2>\n<p>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk tickets are available online, by phone, and at the Black Ensemble Theater box office. Use the direct links below for fast purchase.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-w0y&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Get Tickets To You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Upcoming September 2026 Ticket Links<\/h2>\n<p>The following dates have ticketing available. The full run extends beyond these dates through October 25, 2026. Below are the upcoming performances with direct ticket links.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday, September 25, 2026<\/strong><br \/>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk<br \/>Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-w0y&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Get Tickets For Friday, September 25<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Saturday, September 26, 2026<\/strong><br \/>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk<br \/>Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-wPZ&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Get Tickets For Saturday, September 26, 2 PM<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-wPv&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Get Tickets For Saturday, September 26, 7 PM<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday, September 27, 2026<\/strong><br \/>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk<br \/>Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago, IL<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-wPe&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Get Tickets For Sunday, September 27<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Note: <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoreader.com\/performing-arts\/theater\/theater-review\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-revival-black-ensemble-theater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Sunday, September 27 also carries an additional 7:00 PM performance<\/a>, along with select other Sunday evenings throughout the run (October 11 and October 25).<\/p>\n<h2>Full September And October 2026 Performance Calendar<\/h2>\n<p>The production began previews on <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyherald.com\/20260901\/theater\/spotlight-comedy-classic-the-front-page-heralds-northlights-evanston-homecoming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 PM, with additional previews September 6 at 2:00 PM, September 11 at 7:00 PM, and September 12 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM<\/a>. The opening for You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzcenterstage.buzznews.net\/dance\/dance-reviews\/itemlist\/tag\/You+Cant+Fake+the+FunkA+Journey+Through+Funk+Music.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Those preview and opening dates have now passed. The remaining performances follow this weekly pattern:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fridays at 7:00 PM<\/li>\n<li>Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM<\/li>\n<li>Sundays at 2:00 PM, with select 7:00 PM Sunday performances on September 27, October 11, and October 25<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The run closes October 25, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">For You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music at Black Ensemble Theater, there are no performances on Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m., or Sunday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What The Show Delivers: Production Overview<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzcenterstage.com\/theatre\/now-playing\/item\/6615-black-ensemble-theater-continues-its-50th-anniversary-season-with-the-revival-of-musical-revue-you-can-t-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-september-5-october-25-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Daryl D. Brooks\u2019s You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk was originally staged in 2019 and revived in 2026<\/a> as part of Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s 50th-anniversary season of greatest hits. <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoreader.com\/performing-arts\/theater\/theater-review\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-revival-black-ensemble-theater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Black Ensemble Theater bills its 2026 production of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music, running September 5\u2013October 25, 2026, as a world premiere<\/a>, even though the show reworks Brooks\u2019s 2019 concept. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackensembletheater.org\/copy-of-board-of-directors-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">In April 2026, Daryl D. Brooks was promoted to Artistic Director of Black Ensemble Theater<\/a>, succeeding founder Jackie Taylor in that artistic role while Taylor remains with the theater as Founder and CEO.<\/p>\n<p>The revue runs approximately <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">two hours and ten minutes across two acts<\/a>. Dwight Neal leads the cast as Dr. Funk, a narrator who guides the audience through funk\u2019s golden age from the Civil Rights Movement through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. He first played the role in the 2019 production.<\/p>\n<h2>Setlist And The Canon: 28 Songs Across Funk\u2019s Defining Era<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoreader.com\/performing-arts\/theater\/theater-review\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-revival-black-ensemble-theater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">The Black Ensemble Theater revue You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music opens with James Brown<\/a>, beginning its chronological survey of 28 funk songs with his work. The show traces Brown\u2019s evolution from 1958\u2019s \u201cPlease, Please, Please\u201d to 1967\u2019s \u201cCold Sweat,\u201d often cited as the first true funk song. <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">The 28-song program spans legends including George Clinton, Sly Stone, James Brown, The O\u2019Jays, Earth, Wind &amp; Fire, The Gap Band, Rick James, and Curtis Mayfield.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Specific songs performed in You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk include <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">\u201cDance to the Music,\u201d \u201cSkin Tight,\u201d \u201cBrick House,\u201d \u201cSeptember,\u201d \u201cShaft,\u201d \u201cGive Up the Funk,\u201d \u201cLove Rollercoaster,\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s Groove,\u201d \u201cYou Dropped the Bomb on Me,\u201d \u201cWord Up,\u201d \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be With You,\u201d \u201cCar Wash,\u201d \u201cCandy,\u201d \u201cBustin\u2019 Out,\u201d \u201cAtomic Dog,\u201d and the grand finale \u201cFlashlight!\u201d<\/a> The first act closes with Earth, Wind &amp; Fire\u2019s \u201cSeptember.\u201d These songs are brought to life by an ensemble cast portraying specific funk legends.<\/p>\n<h2>Cast As Funk Icons<\/h2>\n<p>The ensemble cast portrays named funk artists rather than generic characters. <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Darrow Richmond plays James Brown in Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk<\/a>, and Brandon Lavell plays Bootsy Collins. <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Jaitee Thomas plays Rick James in the ensemble cast of Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Vincent Jordan plays Maurice White of Earth, Wind &amp; Fire in the ensemble cast of Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music<\/a>. Darren Patin plays Larry Blackmon, and Johnathon Lee plays Sly Stone.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Dwight Neal plays Dr. Funk, the narrator, in Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s \u201cYou Can\u2019t Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music)\u201d and also portrays George Clinton.<\/a> Britt Edwards, Jordan Taylor, and Miciah Lathan perform as The Mary Jane Girls. Lathan also takes on Chaka Khan, and Taylor portrays Gwen Dickey, who sang \u201cCar Wash.\u201d Understudies are Blake Reasoner and Kentrell Dawson.<\/p>\n<h2>The Live Band<\/h2>\n<p>Music Director <a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Robert Reddrick leads the band on drums, with Adam Sherod (keys), Oscar Brown (guitar), Charles \u201cChip\u201d DuBose (guitar), Walter Harrington (bass), Mark Allen Felton (sax), Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Bill McFarland (trombone), and Myron Cherry (drum understudy).<\/a> The live instrumentation is central to the production\u2019s sound and feel. Funk\u2019s groove-first ensemble approach, where the bassist locks with the kick drum and the rhythm guitar\u2019s offbeat chop creates tension, depends on musicians reacting in real time. Recorded backing tracks cannot fully reproduce that interaction.<\/p>\n<h2>Creative Team And The Mothership Homage<\/h2>\n<p>The creative team extends beyond Brooks as writer and director. It includes <a href=\"http:\/\/buzzcenterstage.com\/theatre\/upcoming-theatre\/item\/6615-black-ensemble-theater-continues-its-50th-anniversary-season-with-the-revival-of-musical-revue-you-can-t-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-september-5-october-25-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Denise Karczewski (set and lighting design), Bob Kuhn (costumes), Dawn Bless (wigs), Christopher Chase Carter (choreography), Robin DaSilva (vocal arranger), and Qiana McNary as associate director, along with Jackie Taylor (producer), Robert Reddrick (music director), Sean Alvarez (sound designer), DJ Douglass (projection designer), Harrison Orneals (technical director), Kristi Martens (stage manager), and Cat Andrade (assistant stage manager).<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagotheaterandarts.com\/2019\/07\/29\/a-funky-journey-at-bet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Denise Karczewski\u2019s set for Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s 2019 production of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk features a Mothership set piece that alludes to George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic\u2019s concerts<\/a>. It functions as a theatrical spaceship and time machine rather than a literal replica of the P-Funk stage prop, echoing the space-age possibilities of funk that Clinton embodied.<\/p>\n<h2>Ticket Pricing And Purchase Options<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzznews.net\/theatre\/itemlist\/tag\/You+Cant+Fake+the+Funk+A+Journey+Through+Funk+Music.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Standard tickets to You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk at Black Ensemble Theater are $69 with fees included<\/a>, per the theater\u2019s box office listing. Reduced pricing of $59 is available for seniors 65 and older and for ages 17 and under, with proof of age required.<\/p>\n<p>Black Ensemble Theater also offers a 5-Play Card digital ticket package for $280 including fees, a savings of $65 over regular ticket prices, valid for 18 months and active immediately after purchase, with a maximum of five tickets redeemable on a single show date. Tickets are also available by phone at (773) 769-4451 and at the box office at 4450 N. Clark Street.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-w0y&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Purchase Tickets Directly Online<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Venue Details And Neighborhood Context<\/h2>\n<p>Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pepperconstruction.com\/project\/black-ensemble-theatre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">4450 N. Clark Street opened in 2011 as the company\u2019s first permanent home. The Black Ensemble Cultural Center is a 50,000-square-foot facility that includes a 299-seat main stage<\/a>, and it sits in Chicago\u2019s Uptown neighborhood on the North Side. Valet parking is available for $15, cash only. <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20080925020216\/http:\/www.blackensembletheater.org\/about_BE.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located on Chicago\u2019s culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse North Side, specifically in the Uptown community.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A new 150-seat flexible Studio Theater is under construction on the second floor of the Black Ensemble Cultural Center at 4450 N. Clark St. as the second phase of Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s Free to BE Village development, with an expected fall 2026 opening.<\/p>\n<h2>50th Anniversary Season Context<\/h2>\n<p>Black Ensemble Theater was founded in 1976 by producer, playwright, and actress Jackie Taylor with a mission to eradicate racism and its damaging effects on society through theater arts and community engagement. The company has produced more than 100 productions, employed more than 5,000 artists, and serves more than 10,000 young people each year through its Educational Outreach Programs.<\/p>\n<p>The theater received a Special Equity Award at the 2025\u20132026 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Equity Theater, celebrating its 50-year legacy. The 50th Anniversary Season continues after <em>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk<\/em> with Jackie Taylor\u2019s <em>The Other Cinderella<\/em>, running December 12, 2026 through January 24, 2027.<\/p>\n<h2>Funk\u2019s Living Lineage: 2026 Artists Carrying The Tradition Forward<\/h2>\n<p>The canon <em>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk<\/em> stages functions as a living tradition. A Bass Culture Music Magazine feature by Dubmatix titled \u201cThe Sounds of New Funk: Keeping the Flame Alive\u201d argues that funk\u2019s late-1980s commercial decline was a dispersal. Musicians moved into studios, churches, music schools, and bedrooms, then returned from the early 2010s onward as artists who absorbed the tradition deeply enough to extend it into new territory. As Dubmatix writes: \u201cThey are not trying to revive something that died. They are continuing something that never stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Several contemporary acts demonstrate this continuity directly:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vulfpeck<\/strong> formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2011. The group built an audience largely through the Internet, including YouTube and a Spotify publicity stunt, and sold out Madison Square Garden on September 28, 2019, becoming one of the first headliners to do so without a manager or top record label. Bassist Joe Dart\u2019s playing has been compared to James Jamerson of the Motown Funk Brothers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio<\/strong> formed in Seattle in 2015. The trio\u2019s debut album <em>Close But No Cigar<\/em> charted at number one on the US Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Butcher Brown and Ghost-Note<\/strong> appear in a broader groove-band conversation. <a href=\"https:\/\/amsterdamnews.com\/news\/2026\/08\/13\/christian-mcbride-on-the-continuing-evolution-of-jazz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">In an August 2026 Amsterdam News interview, Christian McBride named Butcher Brown, Ghost-Note, the Nth Power, the Fearless Flyers, and many others as bands carrying forward the groove-band tradition<\/a> associated with Kool &amp; the Gang, War, and Earth, Wind &amp; Fire.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ProHoeZak<\/strong> is a <a href=\"https:\/\/tidal.com\/artist\/3883174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Bay Area (East Palo Alto) producer who released the funk album <em>Skate Bounce and Beats<\/em> in 2026<\/a>, drawing directly on Parliament-Funkadelic and Zapp &amp; Roger\u2019s late-1970s and early-1980s electro-funk sounds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Main Squeeze<\/strong> is an Indiana University-formed quintet that has toured with <a href=\"https:\/\/correiodamanha.com.br\/cultura\/musica\/2026\/09\/319862-cravados-de-psicodelia-soul-e-funk.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">George Clinton &amp; The Parliament Funkadelic<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Main_Squeeze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">released their seventh studio album, <em>Panorama<\/em>, on January 9, 2025<\/a>, blending funk-rock with atmospheric synthesizers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rapsody<\/strong> connects hip-hop and funk lineages. Her 2026 album <em>God Gotta Afro &amp; Gold Hoops<\/em> includes the track <a href=\"https:\/\/sunneversetsonmusic.com\/2026-07-august-album-reviews-archive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">\u201cOMG! (Love to Sun Ra)\u201d featuring George Clinton<\/a>, a direct link to Parliament-Funkadelic\u2019s frontman and the same tradition the Black Ensemble revue celebrates.<\/p>\n<p>Readers can explore more emerging artists extending these lineages in real time in <a href=\"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/en\/blog\/the-top-30-artists-to-watch-in-2026\" target=\"_blank\">OnesToWatch\u2019s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Critical Reception And Additional Context<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026 production has drawn strong notices. <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoreader.com\/performing-arts\/theater\/theater-review\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-revival-black-ensemble-theater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Chicago Reader theater and dance editor Kerry Reid called it \u201ca booty-shaking, soul-satisfying journey that frees the ass so the mind can follow.\u201d<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Around the Town Chicago\u2019s review of You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music), written by Julia W. Rath, described the show as \u201cvibrant, energetic, and highly entertaining\u201d and \u201ca spectacular musical revue.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Julia W. Rath wrote that \u201cwhat makes \u2018You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk\u2019 truly special is how much heart it has. It feels like a genuine love letter to the artists who originally created these timeless songs.\u201d<\/a> Let\u2019s Play Theatrical Review also gave the production a highly favorable notice. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffawards.org\/sites\/default\/files\/assets\/images\/58th%20Anniversary%20Jeff%20Awards%20Equity%20Theater%20Nominations%20-%207-22-26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Black Ensemble Theater received 68 Jeff Award nominations and 14 Jeff Awards, and is nominated in seven categories in the 2025\u20132026 season.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Patterns And Takeaways For Attending<\/h2>\n<p>Several structural facts shape how to approach attending this production. The schedule centers on weekends, with Friday evenings, Saturday matinees and evenings, and Sunday matinees, plus a small number of added Sunday evening performances. The revue functions as canon: cast members portray specific artists by name, the band plays the original arrangements live, and the narrative arc moves chronologically through funk\u2019s development as a genre.<\/p>\n<p>The production also sits inside an institutional milestone, Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s 50th anniversary, which gives the revival additional cultural weight alongside its entertainment value. The funk lineage it stages remains active in 2026, with artists across multiple generations extending the tradition in clubs, theaters, and studios worldwide.<\/p>\n<h2>Practical Reader Guidance<\/h2>\n<p>As of September 23, 2026, the nearest upcoming performances of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk are on September 25, September 26, and September 27, 2026, with direct ticket links available. Saturday, September 26 offers two performances, which makes it the most flexible single-day option. Sunday, September 27 carries a standard 2:00 PM curtain and an additional 7:00 PM performance.<\/p>\n<p>Valet parking is available at the venue for $15 cash only. The box office at 4450 N. Clark Street and the phone line at (773) 769-4451 provide additional purchase channels. Attendees seeking reduced pricing should bring proof of age for the $59 senior or under-18 rate. Groups or repeat attendees may find the 5-Play Card ($280 for five tickets, valid 18 months) the most cost-effective option.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ticketmaster.evyy.net\/c\/6581772\/264167\/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fevent%2FZ7r9jZ1A7-wPe&amp;utm_medium=affiliate\" class=\"solid-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Reserve Seats For The Next Available Performance<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>FAQ<\/h2>\n<h2>When Does You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk Run At Black Ensemble Theater?<\/h2>\n<p>The production runs September 5 through October 25, 2026, at Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL. Previews began September 5, and the opening for You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk was Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM.<\/p>\n<h2>What Are The Regular Performance Times?<\/h2>\n<p>For the 2026 revival of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk at Black Ensemble Theater, standard curtain times are Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM, with select Sunday 7:00 PM performances. Additional 7:00 PM Sunday performances are scheduled for September 27, October 11, and October 25. <a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">There are no performances on Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m., or Sunday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>How Can I Buy Tickets?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Tickets for You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk are available at blackensembletheater.org\/youcantfakethefunk, by calling the box office at (773) 769-4451, or in person at the Black Ensemble Theater box office at 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago.<\/a> The 5-Play Card package costs $280 for five tickets and is valid for 18 months.<\/p>\n<h2>What Music Is Performed In The Show?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s revival of Daryl D. Brooks\u2019s You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music) is a revue of 28 songs from funk\u2019s golden age, featuring works by George Clinton, Sly Stone, James Brown, The O\u2019Jays, Earth, Wind &amp; Fire, The Gap Band, Rick James, and Curtis Mayfield.<\/a> Specific songs include \u201cDance to the Music,\u201d \u201cGive Up the Funk,\u201d \u201cSeptember,\u201d \u201cFlashlight,\u201d \u201cBrick House,\u201d \u201cCar Wash,\u201d and \u201cBustin\u2019 Out,\u201d among many others. <a href=\"https:\/\/letsplaytheatricalreview.com\/blog\/you-cant-fake-the-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">The 2026 revival of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk at Black Ensemble Theater opens with \u201cOne Nation Under A Groove\u201d and closes with a theatrically performed \u201cFlashlight!\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Who Created The Production And Who Is In The Cast?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzcenterstage.com\/theatre\/now-playing\/item\/6615-black-ensemble-theater-continues-its-50th-anniversary-season-with-the-revival-of-musical-revue-you-can-t-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-september-5-october-25-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s 2026 revival of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music is written and directed by Artistic Director Daryl D. Brooks<\/a>, with Qiana McNary as associate director and Robert Reddrick as music director. The cast is led by Dwight Neal as Dr. Funk, with Vincent Jordan as Maurice White, Johnathon Lee as Sly Stone, Jaitee Thomas as Rick James, Darrow Richmond as James Brown, Brandon Lavell as Bootsy Collins, Darren Patin as Larry Blackmon, Miciah Lathan as Chaka Khan, and Jordan Taylor as Gwen Dickey, among others. <a href=\"https:\/\/aroundthetownchicago.com\/theatre-reviews\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk-music-reviewed-by-julia-w-rath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">The 2026 Black Ensemble Theater revival of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk is backed by a live band led by music director and drummer Robert Reddrick.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p><em>You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk<\/em> stages a living tradition. <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoreader.com\/performing-arts\/theater\/theater-review\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-revival-black-ensemble-theater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">The 28-song arc from James Brown\u2019s \u201cCold Sweat\u201d to Parliament\u2019s \u201cFlashlight\u201d is performed by a nine-piece live band inside Black Ensemble Theater\u2019s 50th Anniversary Season revival of You Can\u2019t Fake the Funk<\/a>, and it connects directly to the work of artists like Vulfpeck, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Butcher Brown, and ProHoeZak who are extending that same tradition in 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/tickets9.com\/events\/you-cant-fake-the-funk-a-journey-through-funk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noindex nofollow\">For You Can\u2019t Fake The Funk at Black Ensemble Theater, the September 25\u201327, 2026 weekend is the next available window with direct ticketing<\/a>, with performances listed on Fri 25 Sep, Sat 26 Sep, and Sun 27 Sep 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onestowatch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">OnesToWatch will continue to track the artists and productions that keep funk\u2019s story moving.<\/a><\/p>\n<section data-read-next=\"true\">\n<h2>Read Next<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/best-concerts-in-chicago-september\" target=\"_blank\">Top Concerts and Live Shows: September 11\u201330, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/best-concerts-boston-september\" target=\"_blank\">Best Boston Concerts In September 2026: OnesToWatch Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/best-concerts-montreal-september\" target=\"_blank\">Best Concerts to See in September 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/best-concerts-san-diego-september\" target=\"_blank\">The Best Concerts to See in September 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.onestowatch.com\/best-concerts-cleveland-september\" target=\"_blank\">The Best Cleveland Concerts to Catch in September 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You Can&#8217;t Fake The Funk plays Black Ensemble Theater this fall. Get the full schedule, cast details &amp; tickets on OnesToWatch Live.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":4027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4028\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onestowatch.com\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}