NATE JACOBS,
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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'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),
Carmilla Harris (Dot Holloway, Dolores Mohawk)
Joel Patrick King* (Charles Cook, Highway QCs, Soul Stirrers #2)
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
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 15th 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.
Cast
CHARLES WESTLEY LATTIMORE JR.*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
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 15th 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.
August 21 - September 1, 2013
Back by popular demand!!!
WBTT once again presents the multi-talented De’zhon Fields as the incomparable Sammy Davis Jr. This musical revue features all the hits Sammy made famous, including “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “Candy Man.” For the past ten years, Mr. Fields has traveled worldwide showcasing his homage to the superstar known as “Mr. Entertainment.” Get out of the warm summer air and into the cool nightclub-like atmosphere with this hot! hot! hot! entertainer.
“Dazzling with talent and bedazzled with Davis’ signature diamonds, Fields casts a magnificent glow as star of the show”
Observer Group
“Fields bears a striking resemblance to Davis both physically and in his singing, and capitalizes on that gift with a nightclub-style show that will be a walk down memory lane”
Herald Tribune
Cast
Theatre Location
1012 N. Orange Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34236
Mailing Address
1012 N. Orange Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34236
All Rights Reserved.