Season to feature ‘Broadway in Black,’ ‘Ruby,’ ‘Pipeline,’ and ‘Smokey Joe’s Café,’ plus holiday offering, ‘Black Nativity’

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has announced its 21st anniversary 2020-2021 season. In addition to four regular-season shows, the schedule includes a special holiday show, available outside of the subscription. Running from October 7, 2020 through June 6, 2021, the regular season shows are “Broadway in Black,” “Ruby,” “Pipeline” and “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The holiday show is “Black Nativity.”

'Your Arms Too Short to Box with God' is now closed; WBTT will monitor coronavirus situation to inform decisions on remainder of season schedule

SARASOTA, FL – Due to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations advising the cancellation or postponement of gatherings of more than 50 people in the face of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe officials have closed the current production of "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God." The show was slated to run through April 5; the organization – which has committed to paying the "Your Arms Too Short" artists, band and crew through the scheduled end of the run – faces a potential financial loss of $50,000 for each week that the theatre remains closed.

Popular young Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe artist Derric Gobourne Jr. to present ‘The Greatest Entertainer’ on March 15 & 16

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to present the seventh year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows. The first Young Artist showcases of the 2019-2020 season, featuring popular WBTT artist Derric Gobourne Jr., take place Sunday, March 15 (this show is sold out) and Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Broadway musical – a retelling of the Book of Matthew – is a soaring celebration in song and dance

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe continues its subscription season with Vinnette Carroll’s “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.” This Broadway musical – originally staged in 1976 – bears the subtitle “A Soaring Celebration in Song and Dance.” The energetic retelling of the Biblical Book of Matthew, featuring music and lyrics by Alex Bradford and Micki Grant, tells the story of Jesus, his apostles, and the women who inspired, followed and consoled him. From parables to miracles, from crucifixion to resurrection, it’s a tale of love, betrayal and redemption, told through rousing gospel music.

Free community event, ‘Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, A Walk to Respect,’ to explore ideologies of and relationship between famous historical figures

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to collaborate with The Patterson Foundation to offer three free staged readings of a new one-act play – written by award-winning playwright and educator Beth Duda, who will also direct – "Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, A Walk to Respect."

MLK Day celebrations to feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe again invites the community to celebrate the rich legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during two inspirational performances. The production, titled “MLK: Celebrating His Legacy in Spoken Word and Song,” will feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance. The celebrations take place on Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Booker High School VPA Theatre (3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota).

Broadway musical, set in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, is written by Tony/Pulitzer/Academy Award-winner Tony Kushner

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to open its subscription season – and present the very first production in its newly renovated theater – with the Broadway musical, “Caroline, or Change.” The show, which ran on and off-Broadway as well as in London, features book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and score by Jeanine Tesori.