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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Bubbling Brown Sugar
The conceit of the show is that three older black entertainers take two younger couples on a whirlwind musical tour of Harlem of a bygone era. Even younger people represent the earlier incarnations of the elders. Toss in some "time traveling" and you have a bit of a mess, plot wise. WBTT has not fielded an age appropriate cast to delineate the different generations properly so we are left with what the company has always done best: flood the theater with very exciting musical talent and let the audience enjoy. The authors of the show did not always make the most focused musical choices; Steven Foster's "Long Long Ago" and "Some of These Days" really do not fit in with the theme of music from the world of black entertainers. It might have been better if artistic director Nate Jacobs had put together a homegrown revue, one tailored to his cast's talents. The glory of this production is indeed the cast. Horace Smith as John Sage, one of the elder entertainers, makes a glorious return to Sarasota after appearing in two productions last year. He dominates, as his character should, and although a bit younger than the character, he is closer to being age appropriate than almost anyone else. Opposite him as Irene is Ariel Blue, rightly a company favorite. If not for the script, which tells us her character is of a certain age looking back over her accomplishments, she partners Mr. Smith beautifully (in spite of being young enough to be his daughter). Their performance of "Honeysuckle Rose" in the first act made me drool for a production of "Ain't Misbehavin'" with him in the Ken Page role and her in the Nell Carter role. Earley Dean as Checkers Clark is utterly too young for the role as written, which does not prevent him from tearing up the stage in "Jim, Jam, Jumpin Jive" and "Pray for the Lights to Go Out." In a conversation after the performance, a gentleman suggested that Mr. Dean would make a terrific Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess, a role that has become very hard to cast. The way he commands the stage with his dancing reminds me of Cab Calloway's dancing at its best. Donald Frison, choreographer and as Jim, and Kristen Wilson as Ella are the black couple learning about the past. She solos on "I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good)," an audience pleaser. Denae DeShazer and Brian F. Finnerty, who played together in Manatee Players' Young Frankenstein, are the white couple opposite them. Ms. DeShazer is always a big asset, and Mr. Finnerty is a strong singer and surprisingly good dancer, but he still hasn't outgrown the baby pudginess. Tsadok Porter as Young Irene scores strongly with "Solitude" and "Sweet Georgia Brown." Two of WBTT's very young standout talents, Christopher Eisenberg and Alyssa White, play various cameo parts. They share a featured number when he, playing a man very much down on his luck, sings "I'm Gonna Tell God All My Troubles" and she, playing a gospel singer, sings "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." While they sing the numbers well, with barely 35 years between them, they are unable to fully bring out the emotional depth. It is interesting that Christopher, who made multiple appearances on "America's Got Talent" at age 13, is having his voice settle into a Billy Eckstine type baritone. He told me afterwards that he retains his falsetto croon as well. If he chooses to pursue an entertainment career, I see big success ahead of him. In multiple small roles Nerlynn Etienne, Wellington Fordham, Derric Gobourne, Jr., and Adrienne Pitts all add depth to the overall production. The direction by Harry Bryce, who has strongly directed many shows for WBTT in the past, is ok. He does what he can with the script and casting issues discussed above. Dialogue is delivered crisply and the overall pace is kept lively. Donald Frison's choreography is vividly energetic and stylistically appropriate for the periods the show covers. He receives excellent dancing from his entire cast. The WBTT family technical people all continue their excellent work. The band, led by Laterry Butler from keyboard, and featuring Marcus Thompson on auxiliary keyboard, Tony Benade on woodwinds, and Brian Sheperd on drums and percussion keep things lively. Bubbling Brown Sugar presented by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way, Sarasota, Florida, 366-1505. Through May 11, 2014. For more information, visit www.wbttsrq.org. Cast (in alphabetic order): Director: Harry Bryce
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