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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT MAY 16, 2024
YOUROBSERVER.COM
THE MAGIC
OF MARVIN Sheldon Rhoden electrifies audiences in Westcoast Black Theatre’s ‘Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul.’
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
Sheldon Rhoden is starring in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul” for the fourth time.
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
I
n a world filled with selfies and social media, it’s easy to assume everyone wants to be a star.
But that’s the last thing Sheldon
Rhoden wanted to be. Rhoden, who is starring in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul,” was more focused on business than show business when he was first brought to the attention of WBTT founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs.
Image courtesy of Evan Sigmund
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs created, adapted and is directing “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul.”
Jacobs was impressed when he first saw Rhoden singing at a funeral, but when he approached the young man about performing in a WBTT show in 2008, Rhoden rebuffed him more than once. At the time, Rhoden was working for Verizon and wanted to focus on his job. “I went to Booker High, but I wasn’t interested in VPA,” Rhoden says, referring to the high school’s highly regarded Visual and Performing Arts program.
IF YOU GO
‘Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul’ When: Through June 2 Where: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. Tickets: $20-$50. Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Despite Rhoden’s reluctance to take the stage, when Jacobs was rehearsing for a musical revue of ’70s duets not long after meeting Rhoden, he told his cast that he felt like someone was missing. That was someone was Sheldon Rhoden. One of the singers, Kanessa “Neyce” Pierre, told Jacobs that she had gone to school with Rhoden and that he was a talented singer. She encouraged Jacobs to call Rhoden right then during the rehearsal. Jacobs called Rhoden on his cellphone and told him that a part singing Marvin Gaye in duets was waiting for him if he wanted it. “He said, ‘Where y’all at?’ and came right over,” Jacobs recalled in a recent interview in his offices at WBTT, where he was joined by Rhoden. Today, Rhoden owns an automotive repair business authorized by the State of Florida to help cars that have been “totaled” get back on the road. But to Sarasota audiences, he’s SEE GAYE, PAGE 2