Celebrating its tenth year of bringing cultural diversity to Gulf Coast Florida's arts, entertainment and allied educational scene, Westcoast Black Theater Troupe presents music that definitively broke down racial barriers. Blending soul music, pop and rock, the "sound" became known as Motown, derived from Motor City, nickname for Detroit. That was where Motown Records, founded 1959 under songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr., brought together black artists and led in disseminating their works.
Just as Gordy not only recorded distinctive artists and groups but also spearheaded their development for live performances globally, so Nate Jacobs locally organized WBTT. Now, his Motown 60s Revue replicates the sounds of that breakthrough era and often the styles of its star performers. In the beginning, Motown music came off the streets where then-unknown artists sang and danced and from whence they auditioned, then got a break. Musicians here and now in Sarasota do their similar thing to one side of the largest room of the Art Center.
By a lamppost in the center of a 3/4 circular "stage" with branch aisles, surrounded by rows of watchers and listeners, three WBTT women come casually "Dancin' in the Streets." After a hit solo by Naarai Jacobs with backup, originally by Diana Ross and the Supremes, she, Lynette White, and Jnana Wilson offer Marvelettes' airs. Nate Jacobs wants, like Smokey Robinson, to "Shop Around" before he ends up with the right girl. Ayanna Goldwire flirts, yet her praise of "My Guy" is sophisticated. Jeff Atkins warns all to "Get Ready" for his tempting ways, and from among the guys (later to each have his own numbers) jaunty slant-capped Chris Robins is introduced like the youngest one of the Jackson Five. Leon Pitts II with "This Old Heart of Mine" defies age with vigorous dance moves.
After Pips stand-ins provide support for Nisi Weaver singing Gladys Knight's "Everybody Needs Love," Sheldon Roden seems to answer with "Baby I Need Your Loving." Again like Diana Ross, Jnana Wilson vocalizes "Reflections" followed by Charles Manning with a Four Tops hit. "Up Tight" ends the music, appreciated but unnecessarily and unfortunately over-amped, in and from the streets.
To give a second-act Outdoor Concert, Troupers appear duded up in coloful satin sheaths and rhinestone jewelry and, for the males, tuxedos. From a barrage of now-familiar hits by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Four Tops, Supremes, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, standouts include Jnana Wilson's soulful "Where Did Our Love Go" and Leon Pitts' energetic "Shake Me, Wake Me."
Like the young Michael Jackson, Chris Eisenburg delivers a show-stopping "I'll Be There." Almost as popular are Stevie Wonder solos, notably Nate Jacobs' "For Once in My Life," and Tammi Terrell favorites done as duets.
The beat goes on and up on the show's way out. "Shout" brings company and a clapping audience stomping to their feet for a generations-binding, diversely devoted finale, as hard to end as Motown's influence.
