MEET THE CAST for LIL & LOUIS, a play with music

                  MARTA McKINNON as LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG                                                        MICHAEL KINSEY as LOUIS ARMSTRONG

MARTA McKINNON portrays the feisty, vivacious Lil Armstrong, who was a sought-after pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and singer. A singer and musician herself (violinist), Marta is known in this area for her work with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, including the lead role of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. She has also performed for Starlite Players and at numerous other venues locally and regionally including Walt Disney World’s Epcot and II Live Productions). Marta has just returned to this area after touring nationally and internationally.  ​

​MICHAEL KINSEY portrays Louis Armstrong with the many aspects of that famous entertainer's personality. Michael has acquired a long list of credits, including performances at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, freeFall Theatre Company, Historic Asolo Theatre, The Players of Sarasota, and Starlite Players. His most recent performances were in Crumbs from the Table of Joy at freeFall and The Amen Corner at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (both in 2019). He is also a professional portrait photographer. ​

                                DONOVAN WHITNEY
DONOVAN WHITNEY (Ensemble)  portrays musicians Red Saunders, Jelly Roll Morton,Lawrence Duhe (Dewey), King Oliver, and Zutty Singleton, as well as Georgie and Bill Bottoms. Donovan is an actor, singer and musician with a background in musical theater and drama. A newcomer to this area, he has garnered regional credits in Indiana and locally. Recent Florida theater credits include: Immurement  (Theatre Odyssey); Between Riverside and Crazy  (American Stage); and The Wind in The Willows  (American Stage School Tour).  

                                       ANDREA COLEMAN
ANDREA  (:|:) “LADYBUGG” COLEMAN (Ensemble) plays Lil's friend Mae Brady, Frankie, Mae Alix, and Fanny. She is a veteran of musical theater as a dancer, singer, actor, director, choreographer, and teacher. Her credits include multiple roles in Belize, California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. One of her favorite credits is Ain’t Misbehavin’, which she has performed three times, most recently at Eight O’Clock Theatre in Largo and Manatee Players.

                                        YVONNE LYLES

​YVONNE (RONIN) LYLES (Ensemble) plays Lil’s mother Decie, Mrs. Jones, and the Reporter.  The Sarasota resident has acquired extensive experience as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director, puppeteer, musician, teacher, and voice artist in New York, Vermont, and elsewhere. She has toured France, London, Brussels, and Germany, and has appeared on stage with Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, the Neville Brothers, and others. Most recently she appeared in The Amen Corner, directed by Chuck Smith at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (2019).