Press Releases

: February 13, 2018

‘The Command Season’ to feature Raisin (The Musical), Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul, The Amen Corner, and Love Sung in the Key of Aretha, holiday offering Black Nativity and summer show Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has announced its 2018-2019 season, with the theme “The Command Season.” In addition to four regular-season shows, which are included in the WBTT subscription, the schedule includes a summer offering and a special holiday show, both available outside of the subscription. Running from October 2018 through the end of April 2019, the regular season shows are Raisin (The Musical), Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul, The Amen Corner, and Love Sung in the Key of Aretha. The holiday show is Black Nativity, which will have a run of just four performances at the Sarasota Opera House. There will be a 2018 summer show, the family-friendly production Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane, with original book and music by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs.

: January 31, 2018

‘An Intimate Evening with Melba Moore’ takes place February 5

SARASOTA, FL – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to continue its 2017-2018 "WBTT Voices" program with its second program of the season. On Monday, February 5 at 8:00 p.m., WBTT presents “An Intimate Evening with Melba Moore.” During this program, the Tony Award-winner will discuss her legendary career and performance in WBTT’s upcoming production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” in a conversation facilitated by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs and Sarasota Herald-Tribune arts editor and theater critic Jay Handelman; she will also sing a couple of musical numbers.

: January 4, 2018

Organization receives grant from Division of Cultural Affairs for its free ‘WBTT Voices’ program

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe was honored by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs with a Diversity and Inclusion Award for its ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in Sarasota and Manatee counties. WBTT will receive its award, along with other honorees, at a special ceremony on January 24th in Tallahassee.

: December 27, 2017

Powerful show by Katori Hall offers fictional account of the final night of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life

SARASOTA, FL – On the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offers a look at the man behind the public persona in a show written by Memphis native Katori Hall, titled The Mountaintop. This is the first production by WBTT to address the life and legacy of the civil rights icon.

: December 20, 2017

WBTT to celebrate and honor Dr. King’s legacy during 50th anniversary year of his assassination with expanded program

SARASOTA, FL – On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites the community to celebrate his rich legacy during a community-wide program. The event, titled “Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” will feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance.

: December 11, 2017

Jubilee Theatre in Fort Worth is performing original Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe show, ‘A Motown Christmas’

SARASOTA, FL – Right now, there are two sold-out productions of A Motown Christmas taking place in the U.S. Here at home, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe – whose founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs created and adapted the show – has a sold-out run at its 10th Way location in Sarasota. Meanwhile, in Fort Worth, Tex., the Jubilee Theatre is also performing the show to capacity audiences through December 24th.

: November 20, 2017

Spirited holiday offering to feature the season's favorites plus long-lost treasures from the biggest stars of Motown

SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites the community to ring in the holidays with its musical revue, A Motown Christmas. The production was created by WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs and had its world premiere in 2015. The show features some favorite traditional carols as well as many original Christmas songs written and recorded by Motown's most celebrated artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.