'The BlackWhite Love Play' tells of Roger, Chaz Ebert romance

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The love story of Roger Ebert and his wife, Chaz, stars onstage in "The BlackWhite Love Play" at Black Ensemble Theatre.

"The BlackWhite Love Play" is set to music.

"Roger and Chaz, they didn't sing in public but they sang in private all the time, they would sing to each other," writer/director Jackie Taylor said. "It was easy to incorporate music into the story because music was a great part of their life. It's blues, it's jazz, it's opera, it's Marvin Gay, Stevie Wonder."

Rashada Dawan is Chaz and Kevin Pollack is Roger in the world premiere of the play.

"As great as Roger is, to have a companion like Chaz fuel you, people should understand that balance of what makes the magic happen," Rashada Dawan said. "She's a legend in her own right, she really is."

"The second act I can't talk. I can understand how hard it was for him when he was going through the cancer. It's expression and emotion. I can feel the pain he went through and the struggle and I try to do my best to show that to everyone," Pollack said.

Chaz Ebert saw the show and met with the performers.

"I'm feeling overwhelmed. It was so beautiful and it did bring back so much.

Rashada Dawan, who played me, I think she's a better me than I am!" Chaz Ebert said.