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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Knock Me a Kiss
WBTT's production is directed by Chuck Smith and features several actors who have appeared in other productions of the play, although not always in the same roles, so it has great credentials. All of the action swirls around Emerald Rose Sullivan as Yolande. Sullivan is giving a fine performance, catching the character's flirtatiousness with boyfriend Jimmy Lunceford, played by Joel Patrick King, and a more serious side, brought out by future husband Countee Cullen, played by Ethan Henry. Both men are fine; Mr. King catches the swagger of the up and coming band leader, and Mr. Henry portrays a conflicted man who, unsure of himself socially, finds the best of himself through Yolande. E-Mani Cadet brings the gravitas required in his portrayal of one of the founders of the NAACP, father figure to an entire race. Makeba Henry is Nina Du Bois, brought down by an unspecified mental illness but still able to summon motherly strength when it is needed by her daughter. LaNisa Frederick as Yolande's confidant Lenora, sure of herself sexually in ways her friend is not and super sassy, almost steals the show. I have said it before and I will say it again, top notch performances from an entire cast always come from a fine director. Chuck Smith has lived with this play for 15 years now and knows it inside out—but nothing about his work suggests boredom. The costumes by Cristy Owen and scenic design by Steve Patmagrian represent some of the finest work I have seen at WBTT. The clothes are all very much of the period, late 1920s—early '30s. The outfits are perfectly matched to the characters, with fine quality suits for W.E.B. Du Bois and flashier ones for Jimmy Lunceford. And there is a gorgeous wardrobe for Yolande, who is Daddy's princess, with stylish finery when she is headed out with Jimmy, and more subdued attire with Countee. W.E.B.'s living room features flocked wallpaper or a representation of it, which a wealthy man of that period might very well have had. Fine lighting by Michael Pasquini completes the technical side of things. All of WBTT's regulars, including Juanita Munford as stage manager, James E. Dedge II (minus his bass) as production manager, and Annette Breazeale as property master, make sure the show goes off without a hitch. The January-February slot in WBTT's season has usually been reserved for a non-musical production. In past years they have featured important dramatic works: A Raisin in the Sun in 2012, Jitney in 2013, and The Whipping Man in 2014. It is a nice change of pace to feature a lighter play, albeit one with meat on its bones, which leaves the audience with some things to think about and learn. Knock Me a Kiss, presented by West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, through February 8, 2015, at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota, Florida, 366-1505. For more information, visit www.wbttsrq.org. Next up at WBTT is Jazz Hot Mamas, which will play February 25 through April 4, 2015 (the entire regularly scheduled run was sold out before Knock Me a Kiss even opened, so they added an additional week of performances). There are limited tickets available for the extension, so if you want to see this fabulously talented theater company in action, call now for tickets. Cast (in order of appearance):
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