Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce that Soul Crooners 2, a companion piece to its previously sold out Soul Crooners, will open on Friday, February 22nd in the Troupe's theater at 1646 10th Way in Sarasota. Highlighting the soul music of the 70s, the all-male cast will offer up a wonderful musical revue of some of this era's classic hits. Nate Jacobs, founding artistic director of WBTT, has written and adapted the show, much like the first, but with an entire new group of musical favorites. Shows are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $29.50 and can be purchased online at wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505. The show runs until March 24.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce three new Trustees have been added to their board of Directors. Marvin Albert, George Kole and Lois L. Watson have all joined an already active and enthusiastic group of community leaders devoted to helping WBTT continue to reach goals that secure its future, both financially and artistically.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce that its second play for this season, August Wilson's Jitney, opened on Friday, January 4, 2013 and runs until Sunday, February 3. All performances take place in the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Theater at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Times are Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Ticket price is $29.50. Reservations may be made online at www.wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce that founding Troupe member Teresa Stanley has just been cast in the role of Justice/Mother for the Broadway production on Rock of Ages at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street, NYC. Stanley will appear in the January 21st performance. It is a role she played on the first national Rock of Ages tour. Stanley will be replacing the current cast member.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce the opening of its first 2012-13 show, Nate Jacobs 50s Jukebox Revue. Conceived and directed by founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, this original revue is an exciting new musical that gives homage to the heyday of rock 'n' roll. The show opened on Friday, November 16th and runs through Sunday, December 16th. All performances are held at the WBTT theater at 1646 10th Way in Sarasota. Times are 8:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday with 2:00 pm matinees on Sunday. Tickets are $28 and may be purchased online at www.wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505.

Blackbird Takes flight at WBTT

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce the details of its 2012 season finale, Blackbird, The Story of Josephine Baker. The play is an original musical born from a longtime collaboration between Tony-nominated Playwright Sherman Yellen and award-winning composer and conductor, the late Wally Harper. The play follows six years of Josephine Baker’s life, 1919 to 1925, during which time she emerged from an unschooled, ghetto teenager street dancing in East St. Louis, to the beginning of her legendary career in Paris where she was instrumental in introducing the Jazz Age.

2012 - 2013 Season Includes November Opener and Longer Runs

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to announce its lineup for the 2012-2013 season which will offer more ticket availability and an earlier schedule beginning in November. With three out of four shows featuring music from different eras, the 'Rock, Swing and Sway' theme is aptly named. The shows include three musical revues, two of which are being written by Founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, and an August Wilson drama. Each production will run for five weeks as opposed to the previous four-week runs. Season opener, on November 16th, will be Nate Jacobs' 50s Jukebox Revue, followed by August Wilson's Jitney, a new Soul Crooners 2, and closing with the Tony-nominated It Ain't Nothin'But the Blues. Subscription prices are still $75 for four shows and can be purchased online. Individual tickets will be available later this fall and will remain priced at $28 each.