Black Theatre Troupe will present “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” Oct. 23-Nov. 8 at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix.
Rather than following a traditional storyline, the musical revue uses song and dance to explore Black life in the early 1970s, including relationships, urban life, Black pride, feminism and social change. Its score incorporates gospel, jazz, soul, funk, rock, calypso and ballads.
Written by composer and lyricist Micki Grant and conceived by Vinnette Carroll, “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” opened on Broadway in 1972 and ran for more than 1,000 performances. It received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Grant became the first Black woman to write the book, music and lyrics for a Broadway musical.
