Written and Directed by Joel P.E. King

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is pleased to present the touring production, Real Life, which was written and directed — and for this run, stars — occasional WBTT artist Joel P. E. King. Real Life, a two-act "hip-hopera" with sizzling song and dance, has been described as Rent meets In the Heights; it's a transformational story that explores the attitudes of urban living. The main character, Ray, has a test of faith as he is forced to choose his morality over a sensationalized street nature that may lead to his demise.

cast and creative:

Ariel Blue (Aunt T/Church Lady Ensemble)

Zachary Clark (Theo)

Kayla Fisch (Rita/Reporter/Police)

Herman GordoN (Preacher/Mr. Johnson)

Lucretia Johnson (Principal Dancer/Woman #3)

Byron Keaton (Champagne/Detective)

Terry L’s Kendrick (Willie Funk/G-Dog)

Joel P. E. King (Ray)

Allie Mays (Tina)

Raleigh Mosely (Scottie/Lil’ Big Ray)

Amber Myers (Kid)

Blaque Pearl (Candy/Woman #2)

Carvas Pickens (Tez/Raheem/Detective)

Felecia Rogers (Church Lady #1)

Carol Saxton (Gran)

London Upshaw (Lil’ Ray)

Alyssa White (Charlette/Woman #1/Church Lady #2)

Henry Washington (Youngblood/Judge)

JOEL P.E. KING (Director, Playwright)

Presented and Directed by Nate Jacobs

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is proud to present a special celebration of the life and legacy of the Queen of Soul, featuring popular WBTT songbirds Naarai Jacobs and Teresa Stanley. The evening showcases many of Ms. Franklin’s best-loved songs and recognizes her remarkable achievements. WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs narrates the tribute. Songs include “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools” and many more. Robert Henderson is the music director and pianist, with James E. “Jay” Dodge II on bass, Willie Thompson on guitar, Etienne “EJ” Porter on drums and Liston Gregory on auxiliary keys. 

cast and creative:

Naarai Jacobs (Featured Vocalist)

Teresa Stanley (Featured Vocalist)

Ariel Blue (Backup Singer)

Samone Hicks (Backup Singer)                                                                       

Nate Jacobs (Backup Singer)

NATE JACOBS (Presenter and Director)

ROBERT HENDERSON (Music Director)

Music and Lyrics by Nate Jacobs
Book by Nate Jacobs and Joey James
Directed by Nate Jacobs

Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane is a rousing, family-friendly musical comedy that features original music by Nate Jacobs and book by Nate Jacobs and Joey James. Storylines feature fairytale characters such as Jack (of giant beanstalk fame), Snow White, Prince Charming, Goldilocks, and the three pigs, as they become entangled in new adventures. 

The cast includes a number of WBTT favorites, including Ariel Blue, Ashley D. Brooks, Earley Dean, Cherise James and Henry Washington. Talented young dancers Derric Gobourne, Jr., Joshua Thompson and Topaz von Wood are featured as well. Serving as musical director and bassist is James E. “Jay” Dodge II; other musicians include Todd Bellamy on piano; Tanmart Selby on auxiliary keys and Trevoris Scott on drums.

cast and creative:

Ariel Blue (Drucella)

Ashley Brooks (Fairytalette 2: Shaquale)

Earley Dean (Prince Charming)

Derric Gobourne Jr.   (Piggalet/Bear 1)

Cherise James (Fairytalette 3: Tiffany)

Joey James (Wolfie)

Jai Shanae (Snow White)

Fred Taylor (Jimmy D/Bear 3)

Joshua Thompson (Wiggalet/Bear 2)

Alitash Tofesse (GoldilocksGoldilocks)

Samuel Waite                   (Jack)

Henry Washington (Dwarf/Ensemble)

Alyssa White (Fairytalette 3: Tiffany (understudy)

Khalifa White (Fairytalette 1: Florine)

Topaz  von  Wood (Fairy/Ensemble/Cloverbell)

Nate Jacobs and Joey James (Playwrights)

NATE JACOBS (Music and Lyrics)

By Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown

October 12 – November 19, 2016

“Ease on Down the Road” to this magical, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Loosely based on the original Wizard of Oz story, this version is a big, splashy, soulful rock happening as seen through the African-American lens. The marvelous Motown sound and fast-paced action will have you believing that anything is possible.

CAST AND CREATIVE

ARIEL BLUE (Addaperle)

ASHLEY D. BROOKS (Munchkin, Crow, Poppy)

E. MANI CADET (Lion)

JEFFERY CASON, JR. (Yellow Brick Road, Soldier Messenger, Ensemble)

EARLEY DEAN* (Preacher, Ensemble)

CHAZ COFFIN (Munchkin, Yellow Brick Road, Kalidah, Field Mouse, Lord High Underling, Ensemble)

TARRA CONNER JONES (Aunt Em, Evillene, Citizen of Oz)

MARCUS DAVIS (Dance Captain, Yellow Brick Road, Gatekeeper, Ensemble)

DONALD FRISON (Yellow Brick Road, Winged Monkey, Ensemble)

JOEY JAMES (Scarecrow)

MICHAEL MENDEZ (Uncle Henry/The Wiz)

NEYCE PIERRE (Kalidah, Citizen of Oz, Glinda)

LEON S. PITTS, II (Tinman)

TRAVIS RAY (Munchkin, Field Mouse, Emerald City Citizen)

KHADIJAH ROLLE (Dorothy)

CHAKARA ROSA (Tornado, Crow, Kalidah, Poppy)

KHADIJA “KAT” SALLET (Munchkin, Crow, Poppy)

JOSHUA THOMPSON (Dancer)

KENNEY M. GREEN (Director)

JOHN BRONSTON (Music Director/Arranger)