Sarasota's WBTT announces two-show summer season

   Sarasota’s Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has announced a two-show summer season featuring a couple of returning WBTT favorites.
   The first show is called “Black Is the Color of My Voice.” It’s a one-woman show written by and starring Apphia Campbell, a founding member of WBTT who has gone on to perform all over the world. It opens June 10 and runs until June 22.
   The second is “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul,” which was a hit for the theater in

Apphia Campbell

2011. It features Sheldon Roden. That one runs July 16-Aug. 10.
   “Black is the Color of My Voice,” is fictional story about a jazz singer reflecting on her life, and it’s “loosely inspired” on the story of Nina Simone. Campbell first performed it in China, and it has also had a New York run.
   Tickets are $21.50 for “Black Is the Color of My Voice” and $29.50 for the Marvin Gaye show. Call 941-366-1505, or go to wbttroupe.com.

WBTT showcases troupe members in solo performances

   Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is launching a new series called the Young Artist Program that offers company a members a chance to show off their talents in solo performances.
   The series gets going tonight (April 29) with a performance by Alyssa White. Next up is Michael Mendez on May 13.

White and Mendez in a previous WBTT show

   WBTT hasn't given details of what to expect from these first two concerts, but it's not like an open-mic night for troupe members. Anyone who wants to perform submits a proposal, and artistic director Nate Jacobs and board members have to approve it. Then the artists work with Jacobs to develop the show. So it's reasonable to expect really strong, polished evenings.
   White is one of the youngest members of WBTT, still in her teens, but she was selected to perform in the Harlem Apollo Theater's "Best of the Best" show in 2011.
   Both shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. For tickets to White's performance this evening, call 941-306-6477. For tickets to Mendez' show on May 13, call 941-957-1088. You may also be able to get tickets at the door.
   WBTT is at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-366-1505 or visit www.wbtttroupe.org.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe buys Sarasota theater

  After 14 years, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe finally has a place it can call home. WBTT announced Monday that it has purchased the site where it has been performing for the past three years. It's two buildings, totaling almost 28,000 square feet, on two acres at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota.

   WBTT has been using just a third of one building until now. A statement from the company says the second building will be used for set construction, rehearsals and storage for costumes and scenery. Eventually the combined space will also house educational programs and administrative offices.

Nate Jacobs of WBTT

The company has been producing plays at that site for the past three years. Before that, it performed wherever it could find available space.

   "In four short years, we have gone from living season-to-season and not knowing what tomorrow would bring, to having one place to call home and being able to own it," said Nate Jacobs, WBTT's founder and artistic director. "WBTT can now grow its roots among the giants in the Sarasota cultural community.”

   The next production at WBTT is "It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues," a musical revue that traces the development of the blues in America, opens Friday and  runs through May 12. For more information on WBTT, visit the website at www.wbttroupe.org, follow on Facebook or call 941-366-1505.

Motley Crue's Vince Neil at Manatee's Ribfest

   So, last week, when the people from Gulfcoast Rhythm & Ribfest announced the headliners for this year's event, they talked about Fantasia, the Lee Boys and Foghat (with only the drummer remaining from the original lineup). Now all of a sudden their website is touting Vince Neil of Motley Crue. Vince Neil definitely trumps faux Foghat in the classic rock department, so it's surprising that they didn't make a bigger deal out his addition to the lineup.

Vince Neil will perform at Ribfest April 13

   Other acts new to the lineup since last week's announcement are locals Boss Hawg Band, blues players Doug Deming & Dennis Gruenling with the Jewel Tones, bluesy rockers the Mitch Clark Band, reggae band Trinity 7, the cast of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Soul Crooners 2," and soul singer Urban Mystic.
  Ribfest is set for April 12-14 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. Neil performs at 8:30 p.m. April 13. Fantasia winds up Ribfest at 7 p.m. April 14.
 The complete schedule is here: www.gulfcoastribfest.com/entertainment
  You can read more here: www.bradenton.com/2013/03/14/4434823/foghat-and-fantasia-set-for-manatee.html#storylink=misearch

"Whipping Man" highlights season for Sarasota's WBTT

  One of the most effective plays of recent years is "The Whipping Man" by University of South Florida graduate Matthew Lopez. The harrowing and unusual look at Civil War-era slavery is one of the highlights of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's recently announced 2013-14 season.

   The season is titled "Rhythms of Change," and it's designed to take audiences on a journey through American culture from 1865 to 1965.
   Lopez's 2011 drama has been widely produced all over the country in its short life, including a memorable production by Tampa's erstwhile Gorilla Theater last year.
    "The Whipping Man" is the second show of the season, opening Jan. 2 and running one month. It's the only non-musical of the season. The season opener is "Purlie," the Jim Crow-era musical co-written by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell, with music by Gary Geld. It runs Nov. 13-Dec. 15.

Lena Horne

   Next up is "Harry and Lena," Feb. 19-March 23. It's a tribute to Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne.
   "Bubbling Brown Sugar" closes out the season, April 9-May 11. It's a revue that celebrates the music set in the Harlem Renaissance, including exuberant tunes by Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.
Details: 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Tickets: $80 for season tickets; tickets for individual shows on sale Sept. 1. Information: 941-366-1505, www.wbttsrq.org.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/10/4426754/wbtt-annnouces-2013-14-season.html