by Katori Hall

After giving a prophetic speech during the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to his hotel room. He orders coffee from room service that is delivered by a mysterious woman with a much greater mission. With vivid theatrical imagination and powerful, often humorous dialogue, the playwright fictionalizes the last night of Dr. King’s life and gives us a window into his hopes, vulnerabilities, and fears. 

Contains adult language and content

 “… as audacious as it is inventive . . .”   Associated Press

THE MOUNTAINTOP is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

cast and creative:

Abdul-Khaliq  Murtadha*  (Dr. Martin Luther King  Jr).

Emerald Rose Sullivan* (Camae)

Understudies:

Ariel Blue (Camae)

Brian L. Boyd (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

CHUCK SMITH (Director)

Katori Hall (Playwright)

WORLD PREMIERE
As the 1960s Civil Rights movement unfolded, black music evolved from the controlled Motown performances to fiery cross rhythms sound—a little gospel, a lot of soul. The passionate soloists, such as James Brown, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, added energetic movements and unique vocalizations that inspired many future performers. Soul Man will feature some of WBTT’s most popular male performers.

cast and creative:

Ariel Blue (Diamond)

Derric Gobourne Jr . (Breezy)

Michael Mendez* (Soulman 2)

Raleigh Mosely II (Soulman 4)

Leon S. Pitts II* (Soulman 3)

Sheldon Rhoden* (Soulman 1)

Henry Washington (Soulman 5)

by Lanie Robertson

It’s 1959 and legendary musical performer Billie Holiday appears in a small Philadelphia bar for one of her final performances. Audiences get more than expected. She sings a dozen of her beloved classics, like “God Bless the Child,” “Strange Fruit,” and “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” and interlaces them with salty, sometimes funny, stories that reveal a riveting portrait of one of the greatest jazz/blues vocalists of all time.

Contains strong adult language and content

"searing portrait of a woman whose art was triumphant."  On Stage

“Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

cast and creative:

Levi Barcourt* (Jimmy Power)

JoAnna Ford *(Understudy)

Melba Moore* (Billie Holiday)

KATORI HALL (Playwright)

CHUCK SMITH (Director)

Created and adapted by Nate Jacobs

World Premiere

Broadway musicals have charmed the world for decades. This summer, WBTT salutes that genre with an original revue by Nate Jacobs. Sing along with your favorite songs from award-winning shows and breakthrough roles that helped launch the careers of such Black artists as Melba Moore in Purlie, Ben Vereen in Pippin, Jennifer Holliday in Dreamgirls, and Nell Carter in Ain’t Misbehavin’. It’s Broadway, WBTT style…electrifying!

CAST AND CREATIVE

SYREETA S. BANKS

ARIEL BLUE

BRIAN L. BOYD

KEENAN CARVER

JOANNA FORD

DONALD FRISON (Ensemble/Choreographer)

DERRIC GOBOURNE JR. (Ensemble)

CHERISE JAMES

MICHAEL MENDEZ

RALEIGH MOSELY II

LEON S. PITTS, II

JOSHUA THOMPSON (Ensemble)

TOPAZ VON WOOD (Ensemble)

LATERRY BUTLER, B.A., CAGO (Music Director/Pianist/ Music Arranger)