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Rockin' Down Fairytale LaneOpening Date: July 25, 2018
Closing Date: Aug 12, 2018 Air date: May 26, 2020 Medium: online Where to watch: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (May 26 - June 21, 2020 only) |
Stage Production Notes
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane is a rousing, family-friendly musical comedy that puts a new spin on the stories of Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Snow White, Prince Charming, Goldilocks, and the Three Pigs as they become entangled in new adventures.
Based in Sarasota, Florida, The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is a not-for-profit organization founded by artistic director Nate Jacobs in 1999. The company’s mission is to “produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates the African American experience, attracts diverse audiences, supports and develops African American artists, and builds the self-esteem of African American youth.”
WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs first developed Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane in the late 1990s while overseeing the performing arts program at the Westcoast School for Human Development. In 2018, Jacobs expanded the musical into a full-length production with all original music. WBTT’s Education Director Joey James also contributed to the script.
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane was presented as part of WBTT’s 2017-18 season.
While some critics felt the musical ran a little long, reviewers appreciated Nate Jacobs’ fun original score, the sly humor, and the performances of the cast — notably the three Fairytalettes, Khalifa White, Ashley D. Brooks and Cherise James, and child actor Samuel Waite in the role of Jack.
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane is a rousing, family-friendly musical comedy that puts a new spin on the stories of Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Snow White, Prince Charming, Goldilocks, and the Three Pigs as they become entangled in new adventures.
Based in Sarasota, Florida, The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is a not-for-profit organization founded by artistic director Nate Jacobs in 1999. The company’s mission is to “produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates the African American experience, attracts diverse audiences, supports and develops African American artists, and builds the self-esteem of African American youth.”
WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs first developed Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane in the late 1990s while overseeing the performing arts program at the Westcoast School for Human Development. In 2018, Jacobs expanded the musical into a full-length production with all original music. WBTT’s Education Director Joey James also contributed to the script.
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane was presented as part of WBTT’s 2017-18 season.
While some critics felt the musical ran a little long, reviewers appreciated Nate Jacobs’ fun original score, the sly humor, and the performances of the cast — notably the three Fairytalettes, Khalifa White, Ashley D. Brooks and Cherise James, and child actor Samuel Waite in the role of Jack.
Filmed Production Notes
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane was filmed live on August 11, 2018 during its run at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe made Rockin Down Fairytale Lane available to stream through WBTT LIVE! for a limited time. Tickets to the stream were available for $15US per household. The stream was released on May 26, 2020, and was initially only available until June 8, but due to popular demand the stream was extended to June 21st.
WBTT also streamed their March production of Vinnette Carroll’s Your Arms Too Short to Box with God in April 2020.
Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane was filmed live on August 11, 2018 during its run at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe made Rockin Down Fairytale Lane available to stream through WBTT LIVE! for a limited time. Tickets to the stream were available for $15US per household. The stream was released on May 26, 2020, and was initially only available until June 8, but due to popular demand the stream was extended to June 21st.
WBTT also streamed their March production of Vinnette Carroll’s Your Arms Too Short to Box with God in April 2020.
Learn more about WBTT on episode 7 of the Filmed Live Musicals podcast with executive director Julie Leach. Available on all podcast apps.
Rockin' Down Fairytale Lane PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Donelly Theatre, Sarasota
Producer: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Book: Nate Jacobs & Joey James
Music & Lyrics: Nate Jacobs
Concept & Director: Nate Jacobs
Musical Director: James “Jay” Dodge II
Choreography: Donald Frison
Scenic Design: Annette Breazeale
Costume Design: Angela Franklin-Mayo
Lighting Design: Michael Pasquini
Stage Manager: Juanita Munford
Videography/Editor: Bill Wagy
Cast:
Khalifa White (Fairytalette 1: Florine), Ashley D. Brooks (Fairytalette 2: Shaquale), Cherise James (Fairytalette 3: Tiffany),
Samuel Waite (Jack), Renata Eastlick (Jack’s Mom/Goldilocks’ Mom/Witch), Jai Shanae (Snow White), Earley Dean (Prince Charming), Alitash Tafesse (Goldilocks), Derric Gobourne Jr. (Piggalet/Bear 1), Joshua Thompson (Wiggalet/Bear 2), Fred Taylor (Jimmy D/Bear 3), Joey James (Wolfie), Topaz von Wood (Fairy/Ensemble/Cloverbell), Ariel Blue (Drucella), Henry Washington (Dwarf/Ensemble)
Musicians:
James “Jay” Dodge II (Music Director/Bass), Todd Bellamy (Piano), Tanmart Selby (Auxiliary Keys), Trevoris Scott (Drums)
Theatre: Donelly Theatre, Sarasota
Producer: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Book: Nate Jacobs & Joey James
Music & Lyrics: Nate Jacobs
Concept & Director: Nate Jacobs
Musical Director: James “Jay” Dodge II
Choreography: Donald Frison
Scenic Design: Annette Breazeale
Costume Design: Angela Franklin-Mayo
Lighting Design: Michael Pasquini
Stage Manager: Juanita Munford
Videography/Editor: Bill Wagy
Cast:
Khalifa White (Fairytalette 1: Florine), Ashley D. Brooks (Fairytalette 2: Shaquale), Cherise James (Fairytalette 3: Tiffany),
Samuel Waite (Jack), Renata Eastlick (Jack’s Mom/Goldilocks’ Mom/Witch), Jai Shanae (Snow White), Earley Dean (Prince Charming), Alitash Tafesse (Goldilocks), Derric Gobourne Jr. (Piggalet/Bear 1), Joshua Thompson (Wiggalet/Bear 2), Fred Taylor (Jimmy D/Bear 3), Joey James (Wolfie), Topaz von Wood (Fairy/Ensemble/Cloverbell), Ariel Blue (Drucella), Henry Washington (Dwarf/Ensemble)
Musicians:
James “Jay” Dodge II (Music Director/Bass), Todd Bellamy (Piano), Tanmart Selby (Auxiliary Keys), Trevoris Scott (Drums)
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane Playbill, (2018)
Articles
- Whitney Elfstrom, “Westcoast Troupe goes ‘Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane’ Herald Tribune (July 21, 2018)
- Kay Kipling, “WBTT’s Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane Is Fun and Fanciful,” Sarasota Magazine (July 30, 2018)
- Sharon Kunkell, “WBTT presents family-friendly 'Rockin' Down Fairytale Lane’” Patch.com (May 21, 2020)
- Sharon Kunkell Principal, “For Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the show must go on(line)” Your Sun (April 7, 2020)
- William S. Osser, “Rockin’ Down Fairytale Lane,” Talkin’ Broadway (2018)
- Carolan Trbovich, “BWW Review: ROCKIN' DOWN FAIRYTALE LANE at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe,” Broadway World (July 30, 2018)
Websites
- Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Accessed via: https://www.westcoastblacktheatre.org/
Written by Luisa Lyons (June, 2020)