Photos: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Will Present World Premiere Musical Comedy LIES, SPELLS & OLD WIVES' TALES

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) will close its 2025-2026 “Soul Of A People” theatre season with “Lies, Spells & Old Wives’ Tales.” The brand new, world-premiere musical comedy runs from April 8 – May 17, 2026 in The Donelly Theatre of WBTT (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota). See photos of the cast.

This is a completely homegrown production, with original music composed by Nate Jacobs and orchestrated and arranged by Dan Sander-Wells, with the book by Michael Jacobs. Audiences will be taken on a fanciful journey featuring storytelling and fun music.

“Lies, Spells & Old Wives’ Tales” celebrates the spirit, identity, and cultural essence of a people. The concept for the show – an exploration of the sayings, values, tales and traditions that pass through generations orally, by way of the matriarchs, inspired by Jacobs’ own mother and grandmother – came to Nate a few years ago. He wrote it down on a Post-it note and stuck it to the bottom of his computer monitor. When WBTT selected the “Soul Of A People” theme for the 2025, 2026 season, though, he knew it was time to bring the idea to life.

“This is a show that’s full of laughter, beautiful memories, and the celebration of women and their ability to hold families together,” said Jacobs. “Many of our mothers, grandmothers and aunties didn’t go to college but they shared the wisdom that they could, from where they were. Younger people may not have the benefit of the wisdom of these older generations, as they pass on; here at WBTT, we are dedicated to being stewards of the unique culture and experience of American life so that they can live on.”

Nate Jacobs will direct; music director is John Bronston. The creative team includes: Nate Jacobs, music composer, with music supervised, arranged and orchestrated by Dan Sander-Wells; Roland Black, director of production/scenic designer; Annette Breazeale, properties designer; Austin Jacobs, projections designer; KaCie Ley, stage manager; Chris Warren Murry, assistant stage manager; Michael Pasquini, lighting designer; and Pla Rockland, costume designer.

Many of the artists who will appear on stage will be familiar to WBTT audiences, including some of WBTT’S most beloved talents like  Brian L. Boyd, Jazzmin Carson, Sieglinda Fox, Michael Mejia-Mendez, Raleigh Mosely II, Leon S. Pitts II, Patric Robinson and Ulric Alfred Taylor. Audiences will discover some new artists making their WBTT MainStage debut for this show as well.

Performances take place Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $54/adults, $24/students (25 and under) and active military, and $44/adults for preview shows (first three nights of the run). Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office (941-366-1505) for tickets.

Need more Sarasota Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...