Theater Review: Soul Man

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe ends its 2017-2018 season on a high and colorful note with Soul Man. This original and brand new musical is the brainchild of WBTT’s founder and Artistic Director, Nate Jacobs.

Jacobs is no stranger to the soul music genre; he has produced several other WBTT productions with similar themes including Soul Crooners, Soul Crooners 2, and Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul.

Soul Man highlights the artists of the 1960s and the many hurdles African-Americans faced during that era.

Some of that decade’s events include social injustice, bad police relations, the Civil Rights Movement, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassinations and of course, the ongoing Vietnam War.

Songs such as A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke, What’s Going Onby Marvin Gaye, andSay It Loud by James Brown were the soundtracks of those trying times.

"America was in a turbulent place in the early 1960s and the times were reflected in the music of prominent soul and R&B singers," said Jacobs in a press release. "But these artists helped to soothe our jittery and unsettled nation through their music. For me, Soul Man serves to celebrate the work of artists who wove an important musical genre in this country’s tapestry and pays homage to the voices that helped to define a generation."

The show begins with WBTT dancer and now front-and-center actor, Derric Gobourne, Jr. in an MC Hammer-esque get-up with the shiny parachute pants to boot. Gobourne plays Breezy Weezy–a young, confident rapper who doesn’t think the music of the past has any bearing in today’s culture.

Little does he know, he is about to be schooled by a sassy radio DJ named Diamond, played by WBTT vet, Ariel Blue. The no-nonsense having, afro-wearing disc jockey isn’t going to allow this kid to disrespect and ignore the greats of those days.

Cue the Soul Men.

Although black female entertainers were just as visible in those days, this particular show focuses on the male perspective. The five actors known as the "Soul Men 1-5“ shined the entire evening. Michael Mendez, Raleigh Mosely, II, Leon Pitts, II, Sheldon Rhoden and Henry L. Washington play these talented and charming men.

Their individual vocals and collective harmonies were strong despite challenging dance routines choreographed by Donald Frison. The men didn’t come to play any games and their efforts showed as sweat dripped from their faces onto their silky, colorful shirts.

Some of the song highlights are Mustang Sally, Say It Loud, Shotgun, Chain Gang and When A Man Loves A Woman. There are songs like The Olympics’ Hully Gully, I wasn’t entirely familiar with but after hearing them, I feel were nice additions.

The WBTT live house band, led by bassist and Resident Music Director, Jay Dodge, brings the steady stream of soul. Dodge has been with the WBTT since 2008. The musicians have great chemistry and the music sounds authentic. Other band members include Tanmart Selby (Aux Keys), Todd Bellamy (Piano), Willie Thompson (Guitar) and Donald "Snoopy“ Watts (Drums).

The set is a definite highlight during this show. The house band is centered in the middle of the stage, giving you a great view of their musicianship. The performers utilize the space very well and it looked spacious from my point of view. Hats off to Michael Newton-Brown, the show’s scenic designer.

Michael Pasquini’s stage lights is another element that brings life to this show. They are bright, colorful and set the tone for an energetic experience.

The costuming really brings this production to another level. There is a wardrobe change between the first and second act and the men take their coolness up a notch with fancy dress suits. Major kudos to the show’s costumer, Adrienne Pitts.

Together, all of these details make for an excellent production. It’s nice to look around the audience and see so many smiling faces and people singing along. It makes me wonder where they were when they first heard these songs and if they reacted to them differently back then.

Soul Man may be nostalgic for those who grew up in this era, but for those who didn’t, it offers a fresh way to appreciate the times that came before us.

Visit the WBTT website for schedule and ticket information.