Past Seasons - Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe -Live Theater

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

by August Wilson

January 13- February 20, 2016

It’s 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude “Ma” Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American.

Nate Jacobs Nate's Notes

"WBTT has made a commitment to produce every play by this Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright. Ma Rainey is particularly interesting because Wilson introduced blues music to help illuminate the complexity of the characters who face overwhelming obstacles in the burgeoning music industry. " -Nate Jacobs

VIDEO: See excerpts from Ma Rainey's Black Bottom!

CAST AND CREATIVE

DAVID ABOLAFIA (Irvin)

EARLEY DEAN (Sylvester)

KENNY DOZIER (Cutler)

ROBERT DOUGLAS (Levee)

STEPHEN EMERY (Policeman)

TARRA CONNER JONES (Ma Rainey)

PATRIC ROBINSON (Slow Drag)

EMERALD ROSE SULLIVAN (Dussie Mae)

HENRI WATKINS (Toledo)

TERRY WELLS (Sturdyvant)

CHUCK SMITH (Director)

Cotton Club Cabaret

Created and directed by Nate Jacobs

July 8 – August 9, 2015

The Joint is Jumpin’ once again as Westcoast Black Theatre reprises our electrifying original debut show from 2000, the Cotton Club Cabaret. We close out our 15^th anniversary year with this high spirited, high stepping musical revue featuring favorite songs from the greatest entertainers of the Harlem Renaissance era, such as Fats Waller, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, and Lena Horne. You’ll be transported back in time to the legendary premier nightclub of old Harlem, right here in Sarasota.

Written and Directed by Nate Jacobs
WORLD PREMIERE

March 2- April 9, 2016

Sam Cooke was born to sing. His distinctive voice and movie-star looks propelled him to superstardom across audiences. First a gospel singer, he then blended spirituality and sensuality, sophistication and soul to create such hits as You Send Me, Saturday Night, A Change is Gonna Come and Twistin’ the Night Away. His tragic death at age 33 cut short his career, but his influence in the music world lives on today. This original musical tells the fascinating story of one of the most popular black singers/songwriters of all time.

Nate Jacobs Nate's Notes

"Each season, WBTT performs at least one show that I conceive and direct. This year I chose to feature a musical icon who became the first African-American singer to control the rights to his own music. His background is interesting because most people recognize his songs, but few know his personal story." -Nate Jacobs

CAST AND CREATIVE

Ariel Blue (Mrs. Holloway, Mrs. Cook)

Ashley D. Brooks (Agnes Cook, Barbara Cooke),

Jeffery Cason, Jr. (Lee Richardson, Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #1 & #2, Church Deacon, L.C. Cook, Bobby Womack)

Carmilla Harris (Dot Holloway, Dolores Mohawk)

Joel Patrick King* (Charles Cook, Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #2)

Michael Mendez* (Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #1, R.H. Harris, Radio DJ, S.R. Crain, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Adler)

Rafael Petlock (Bob Keane, Ed Sullivan, Sol Julian, Jess Rand, Stagehand, Bartender)

Leon S. Pitts II (Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #1 & #2, Rev. Cook, Bumps Blackwell, Al)

Walter Price (Producer, Announcer, Rene Hall, Stan Ross)

Cecil E. Washington, Jr. * (Sam Cooke, Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #2)

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States