Arts and Entertainment Theater: WBTT's Got Spunk

SARASOTA – The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe packs a lot of fun into a humbly, small venue. Upon arrival, be prepared to be greeted by a lot of smiling faces that includes both staff and fellow theater attendees.

Sammy Blue and Deidra Grace Photo by Don Daly Photo

The sound of harmonica music plays as four actors enter the room and shake the audience’s hands. The two men and two women dressed in 1920s fashion dŽcor motion the crowd to clap their hands as they begin to sing a number.

Suddenly, there’s a quick turn in events; one of the men slaps a woman, who appears to be his wife. The music stops and the audience is silenced by the dark act. This was one of the exciting turns in a night that left the audience feeling many emotions.

Spunk, written by Zora Neal Hurston and directed by Jim Weaver, combines three different tales into one play. The stories take place in the late 1920s to early 1930s and feature the same actors in all three acts.

The first tale, Sweat, tells the story of an unhappily married couple on the verge of destruction. It is made obvious that the couple have been on the outs for some time. Both the husband, Sykes, and the wife, Delia, call each other names and voice their regrets of marrying each other in the first place.

Without revealing too much, the climax features a rattle snake bite and a mortal decision for one of the spouses.

Joel Patrick King Photo by Don Daly Photo

Yohance Myles and Candace C. Culcleasure play the married couple with authenticity. Their chemistry is rightfully disturbing as they convey a marriage that is surely doomed.

Mr. Myles is a Theater Professor and Film Asst. Professor at Jackson State University, located in Jackson, Miss. He is currently on the CW network series, Originals.

Ms. Culcleasure is a graduate of the Florida State University School of Music and has been in plays such as Show Boat and Big River.

The second tale, A Story in Harlem Slang, may lose you when it comes to the two main characters’ language. Thankfully, the WBTT defined the terms in a section specifically regarding the slang that’s used throughout all three stories in their playbill.

The 1930s-era story features Jelly, a pimp who loves the ladies and believes he can convince any woman to be his. He is then greeted by a rival, Sweet Back, who also thinks he can get any lady he wants.

The story is mostly the two men bragging about how many ladies they can get while vying for a certain woman’s attention.

Earley Dean Wilson, III, is a wonderful choice for Jelly; his thousand-watt smile shines as bright as the gold chain that hangs from his belt buckle. Jelly’s confidence is impossible to not notice; his purple and yellow suit was a highlight of the play. Wilson is a founding member of WBTT and is a graduate of FAMU.

Another highlight was Jelly’s back and forth banter with Sweet Back, played by Joel Patrick King. The actor held his own against his sly rival and gave the audience some of the play’s funniest moments. King is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and debuted in WBTT’s recent play, Knock Me A Kiss.

Deidra Grace and Sammy Blue Photo by Don Daly Photo

The final tale, The Gilded Six-Bits, also featured a story revolving around a marriage – this time, a happy one. Actor, Yohance Myles plays Joe and Candace C. Culcleasure plays Missie May. Once again, Myles and Culcleasure display real emotion during their scenes as a newlywed couple who are very much in love.

Everything seems right until a stranger named Slemmons comes to town. At first, he seems harmless until he makes a move on Missie May. His advances aren’t well received but his presence will eventually test the young couple’s relationship.

The music of Spunk was exceptionally good. There were solos from the show’s constant musician – Guitar Man, played by Sammy Blue. The blues musician has been performing for the past 40 years as a band member and a soloist. He was nicknamed the ”Crown Prince of the Blues“ by Muddy Waters. His talent and experience was obvious; you can hear his steel Gretsch guitar throughout the entire show and it really sets the tone.

Earley Dean Wilson III and Yohance Myles and Candace C. Culcleasure. Photo by Don Daly Photo

Another musical standout was the outstanding singer, Deidra Grace. Originally from Miami and a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Grace’s silky voice is hypnotizing. When you’re not distracted by her beautiful voice, you’ll be in awe of her fabulous dresses.

If I had one complaint, it would be the lack of volume in the stage mics; it was hard to hear the actors because the mics were hanging from the ceiling and it didn’t appear that they had individual microphones. At times, the actors’ speaking lines were hard to hear over the acoustic guitar.

Despite the sound issues, Spunk is an entertaining and thoughtful play that audiences will enjoy.

Spunk runs through May 17. Tickets are $29.50 and $16.50 for students. Call the box office at 941-366-1505 or visit website at www.westcoastblacktheatre.org. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is located at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota, Fla. 34236.