My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Sarasota, FL 34236

Upcoming Shows

Sophisticated Ladies

Sophisticated Ladies

Oct 14 – Nov 22, 2026

“Sophisticated Ladies” is a Tony Award-winning theatrical journey through Duke Ellington’s music. The musical will immerse audiences in elegance and timeless style. Featuring hits including “It...

A Motown Christmas

A Motown Christmas

Dec 2 – Jan 3, 2027

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's holiday show will be “A Motown Christmas,” a seasonal gift that folds the warmth of the season into the irresistible groove of...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Jan 13 – Feb 21, 2027

Playful, seductive and richly imaginative, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a beloved Shakespeare comedy, drawing audiences into a world where desire, illusion and mischief collide....

BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical

BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical

Mar 3 – Apr 11, 2027

“BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical” is a high-energy, ensemble-driven celebration framed through the shared experience of women navigating a rapidly changing world. The show celebrates...

Stevie: A Stevie Wonder Revue

Stevie: A Stevie Wonder Revue

Apr 21 – May 30, 2027

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 2026-2027 MainStage season will close with “Stevie: A Stevie Wonder Revue,” a new musical revue celebrating the best hits of the iconic...



Review: LADY DISDAIN at Asolo Repertory Theatre


by Shanti M Kennedy - June 15, 2026

'LADY DISDAIN', the Rolling World Premiere, by Lauren Gunderson is a romantic comedy play that cleverly infuses a modern and feminist twist into Shakespeare's classic 'Much Ado About Nothing.' The setting is a vibrant audio book recording studio, where the delightful drama unfolds between the feudin...

Review: HONKY TONK ANGEL'S at Florida Studio Theatre


by Shanti M Kennedy - May 31, 2026

'HONKY TONK ANGELS' is simply a delightful and heartwarming production that cleverly weaves together a mix of old and new songs. Even if you're not typically a fan of country music, you'll find yourself thoroughly entertained by this show. It's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and have you l...

Review: WHO IS EARTHA MAE? at Urbanite Theatre


by Shanti M Kennedy - May 30, 2026

What did our critic think of WHO IS EARTHA MAE? at Urbanite Theatre?...

Review: LEAVING ON A JET PLANE at Florida Studio Theatre


by Shanti M Kennedy - May 20, 2026

This delightful cabaret is a musical time machine, whisking audiences away to the golden era of the 1960s with its favorite tunes that evoke a sense of innocent nostalgia. It's a surefire hit that is guaranteed to bring smiles to faces and melodies to hearts. Immerse yourself in the folk songs of ye...

Review: MARIE AND ROSETTA at Asolo Repertory Theatre


by Shanti M Kennedy - May 12, 2026

Asolo's new presentation of 'MARIE AND ROSETTA' is a delightful celebration of the powerhouse women who shaped musical history. The story takes us back to a funeral home in Mississippi in 1946, where Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as 'The Godmother of Rock & Roll', and Marie Knight come together for a...

Review: LIES, SPELLS & OLD WIVES TALES at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe


by Shanti - April 24, 2026

In a jubilant tribute to the influential women in our lives - our Mothers, Grandmothers, and Aunties - WBTT proudly introduces a fresh production by its very own founder and creative visionary, Nate Jacobs. Alongside his brother Michael, Nate has crafted an engaging and lively play comprising vignet...

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Asolo Repertory Theatre


by Shanti - April 21, 2026

This show is an absolute must-see, an experience that will leave you awestruck and surely remain a cherished memory for years to come. Don't miss out on the magic of 'FIDDLER ON THE ROOF' - it's a theatrical gem! Tickets are still available for Matinee and Evening shows at https://asolorep.org/....

Review: THE MUSIC MAN at Van Wezel


by Shanti - April 15, 2026

From the very first moment the lights went down, this production of Meredith Willson's beloved classic made it clear it was going to be something special. The opening scene set the tone immediately — the ensemble cast moved in perfect synchrony, their bodies swaying and jolting in unison to conjur...

Review: NEIL BERG'S 100 YEARS OF HOLLYWOOD at Van Wezel


by Shanti - April 13, 2026

Neil Berg, is a man of many hats in the entertainment world! From dazzling Hollywood to the grand stages of Broadway, he effortlessly dons the role of musician, composer, lyricist, and producer....

Review: BIRTHDAY CANDLES at Florida Studio Theatre


by Shanti - April 06, 2026

FST’s Main stage theater production of BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidle is like a rollercoaster ride through a century of life in just 90 minutes! Follow Ernestine Ashworth from age 17 to 107 as she bakes her way through love, loss, and the pursuit of purpose. This play is a delicious blend of magi...

Past Shows

Black Nativity

Dec 1 – Dec 30, 2025

Black Nativity, performed by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, is a powerful celebration of African American culture and faith. This musical adaptation features traditional spirituals...

Syncopated Avenue

Syncopated Avenue

Apr 16 – May 25, 2025

Closing Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 2024-2025 season is a brand-new world premiere musical, “Syncopated Avenue.” (Created, adapted and directed by WBTT Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs.)...

Five Guys Named Moe

Five Guys Named Moe

Mar 5 – Apr 6, 2025

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents “Five Guys Named Moe,” with book by Clarke Peters and lyrics and music by Louis Jordan and others. (Directed by Jim...

Fences

Fences

Jan 15 – Feb 23, 2025

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's dramatic offering for the 2024-2025 season is “Fences,” written by renowned American playwright August Wilson. (WBTT Resident Director Chuck Smith will...

How I Learned What I Learned

Feb 9 – Feb 16, 2025

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents a limited run of How I Learned What I Learned, featuring award-winning actor and playwright Wali Jamal. This one-man show...

A Motown Christmas

A Motown Christmas

Nov 27 – Jan 5, 2025

During the holiday season, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents its Christmas card to the community, the exuberant musical revue, “A Motown Christmas.” (Created, adapted and...

Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition

Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition

Oct 9 – Nov 17, 2024

Opening Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 2024-2025 theatre season is “Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition.” (Created, adapted and directed by Nate Jacobs.) The “Soul Crooners” productions...

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Sep 10

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has announced its 2024-2025 Board of Trustees, with Doris A. Johnson continuing as Board Chair and new members Charles W. Brown...

Float Like a Butterfly

Jul 29 – Aug 3, 2024

Float Like a Butterfly is a poignant one-act play that honors the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. Written by Michael Jacobs, this production features...

From Birmingham to Broadway

Jul 29 – Aug 3, 2024

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents a compelling performance collaboration titled From Birmingham to Broadway at the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This...

Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition

Jul 25 – Aug 3, 2024

Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition is an original musical revue celebrating the iconic soul and R&B artists and hit songs of the late 1960s through...

Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake

Jun 12 – Jun 23, 2024

This summer, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to present "Coconut Cake," written by Melda Beaty. The comedy tells the story of four retirees who...

Ruby

Ruby

Feb 28 – Apr 7, 2024

After two painful delays due to COVID-19, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to finally bring to the stage the world-premiere musical, “Ruby.” The show...

Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue

Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue

Apr 19 – May 28, 2023

Closing the season is Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue. Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller was an American jazz pianist, composer, singer and comedic entertainer. His...

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls

Feb 22 – Apr 9, 2023

Next up is a sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music: "Dreamgirls" chronicles one fictional Motown group's rise from obscurity to superstardom....

Flyin' West

Flyin' West

Jan 4 – Feb 12, 2023

Originally scheduled for the 2019-2020 season a show that WBTT had previously offered as a staged reading is Flyin West by Pearl Cleage. In the...

Black Nativity

Black Nativity

Nov 30 – Dec 23, 2022

During the holiday seasonback by popular demandWBTT presents Langston Hughes Black Nativity. This production is a celebration of the Nativity story with gospel, blues, spiritual,...

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls

Oct 5 – Nov 20, 2022

Opening WBTT's 2022-2023 theatre season is Guys and Dolls, the 1950 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical. A fun, quirky musical comedy, Guys and Dolls debuted...

One-Act Plays

One-Act Plays

May 4 – May 29, 2022

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will close its 2021-2022 season with two world-premiere one-act plays, under the auspices of its New Playwrights Series. These plays, From...

Videos


Lady Disdain in Sarasota Lady Disdain
Asolo Repertory Theatre (6/06-6/27)
Begin Again Badge in Sarasota Begin Again Badge
Cooke Theatre (6/11-6/21)
Larger Than Life: The Definitive Boy Band Tribute in Sarasota Larger Than Life: The Definitive Boy Band Tribute
Manatee Performing Arts Center (1/26-1/26)
Comedy Lottery in Sarasota Comedy Lottery
Florida Studio Theatre (7/11-7/25)
Old Time Sailors in Sarasota Old Time Sailors
Manatee Performing Arts Center (11/17-11/17)
Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey in Sarasota Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey
Florida Studio Theatre (5/12-7/12)
Come From Away in Sarasota Come From Away
Manatee Performing Arts Center (1/21-1/31)
BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical in Sarasota BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (3/03-4/11)
All Shook Up! Elvis Tribute Dining Cruise with Allan Coffin Aboard the Barbara Lee in Sanford, FL in Sarasota All Shook Up! Elvis Tribute Dining Cruise with Allan Coffin Aboard the Barbara Lee in Sanford, FL
St Johns Rivership Company (6/25-6/25)
Dog Mom in Sarasota Dog Mom
Florida Studio Theatre (6/24-7/26)