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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
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Photos by Nick Friedman
Ariel Blue, Tarra Conner Jones and Neyce Pierre are three of the featured singers in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s tribute to Mahalia Jackson.
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THE GOOD NEWS Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe honors the power of gospel music — and its queen, Mahalia Jackson. NICK FRIEDMAN A+E MANAGING EDITOR
N Gloria Musicae Patriotic Spectacular
A review of the choral singers’ patriotic tribute to a sold-out audience.
ate Jacobs can’t sit still. West Coast Black Theatre Troupe is rehearsing for its upcoming production of “How I Got Over: A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson,” and the founder and artistic director is standing onstage, listening to a group of singers warm up during sound check. It’s an informal vocal exercise — really just a microphone check. Still, Jacobs is visibly moved by the music. He’s posing for a photo at the moment, and it’s all he can do to maintain his pose. A piano track echoes through the theater, and it’s not long before he’s tapping his foot and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Nate Jacobs is inspired by gospel music’s relationship with the African-American experience.