Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/121369
Sarasota News Leader April 12, 2013 Page 96 IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES OPENS APRIL 12 Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) opens its fourth show of the 2012-13 main season, It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, on Friday, April 12. The show will run until Sunday, May 12. Directing the show is WBTT veteran Harry Bryce, his seventh production with the company. "Bryce has been developing visionary works as a director, choreographer, writer and arts educator for more than 30 years," the release says. In 1997, he founded the Memphis Black Repertory Theatre and served as producing artistic director for five seasons, during which time he garnered 17 theater awards, the release adds. "This show is guaranteed to cure the blues, not give them to you," says Founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs in a news release. "For starters, the Broadway production was nominated for four Tony Awards and three Drama Desk awards. Add to that the talented cast and director we have pulled together for our The cast members are a combination of version and we know it's going to be a real Troupe members and new talent. Audiences will recognize Tsadok Porter, Ariel Blue and crowd pleaser," he adds. Earley Dean, all Troupe members, the release It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues takes a journotes. Donald Frison, previously in Five Guys ney through time, tracing the evolution of the blues from African chants through Southern Named Moe, returns to the WBTT stage, as does Horace Smith, seen in spirituals "to the Jitney earlier this season. electrifying songs of postwar Chicago Whitney Mignon Reed, JL nightclubs," the reCash Sr. and Greg lease adds. "The show Burke are new to captures the heart and WBTT productions. soul of this musical genre." Tickets, which are $29.50, may be purIn celebrating the hischased online at tory of the Blues, it also wbttsrq.org or by callpays homage to the many artists who ing the box office have contributed at 366-1505. Perforto the music's evomances are Tuesday lution, including through Saturday at Ethel Waters, Jel8 p.m. and Sundays at ly Roll Morton, The cast of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's It B.B. King and Ain't Nothing But the Blues includes (from left) Ari- 2 p.m. The WBTT theater is located at 1646 Koko Taylor, the el Blue, Horace Smith, Tsadok Porter, Whitney Mignon Reed and Earley Dean Wilson. 10th Way in Sarasota. release notes.