In this Tony-Award winning Broadway show, Purlie, a self-taught preacher returns to his home in the Jim Crow South to reclaim his inheritance, save his community church and free the oppressed workers. The problem is that Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee, the domineering plantation owner, is unfairly holding Purlie's inheritance. With the help of Ol' Cap'n's son, Charlie, Purlie manages to outsmart the white-haired old-timer to win a victory for freedom.
We are delighted to once again present Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. This year’s version features new faces and voices, including some Stage of Discovery youth performers. This show is a celebration of the nativity story, with gospel, blues, spiritual and Christmas music paired with the poetry of Langston Hughes and the creativity of WBTT. Black Nativity will inspire hope, joy, and peace to you and yours!
Paradise Blue is a gripping drama by Dominique Morisseau, set in 1949 in Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood. Gifted trumpet player Blue contemplates selling Paradise, his once-vibrant jazz club to shake free of the demons of his past and better his life. But in selling his club, is he also selling his soul?
In 2017 Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe premiered How I Got Over at the National (now International) Black Theatre Festival to rave reviews. To celebrate the 2025-2026 Soul of a People season we are presenting How I Got Over on the WBTT main stage. This show features the gospel music you know and love as only WBTT can imagine it, accompanied by the sizzling live WBTT band. Traditional songs like “Travelin’ Shoes,” “Amazing Grace” and “When The Saints Go Marching In” are combined with more current ones such as “Elijah Rock,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” to bring you a show that’s sung from WBTT’s heart. Experience the joy and hope of gospel music in this high-energy, electrifying show. You haven’t seen gospel like this before!
