'Belles of Broadway' delights Longboat audiences

By Dana Kampa
| 8:00 a.m. February 25, 2025

Delores McKenzie performs her "Belles of Broadway" show for Christ Church of Longboat Key members.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Delores McKenzie finds inspiration in the works of many a talented Broadway artists: Nicolette Robinson, Josephine Baker, Toni Braxton, and many more.

What she says they all have in common is the power to move viewers.

"It really came down to what songs make me come alive when I hear," she said of compiling her setlist. "If it makes me feel good, it's going to make me feel even better when I sing it."

McKenzie, a member of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, performed her special "Belles of Broadway" show on Feb. 19 for members of the Christ Church of Longboat Key congregation.

Delores McKenzie encourages audience member Cassie Barry to give a hair toss while performing "Popular" from the broadway hit and now blockbuster "Wicked."

Joined by pianist Carl Haan, she stepped into her spotlight on the main stage and belted out her ballads inspired by the groundbreaking Black women of theater.

McKenzie said she especially appreciated performing for the Longboat Key audience, as many members quickly recognized the tunes and happily clapped along to groove-inducing songs like "All That Jazz."

"There's nothing like live theatre — seeing people's faces, interacting with them, and connecting in the moment," she said. "I was like yes, let's go on this journey together."

Audience members were perhaps most enthralled with her performance of "Satisfied" from "Hamilton."

Delores McKenzie's mother, Rosa, gives her daughter's performance a thumbs up.

The Sarasota-born performer said she is glad to be performing at home after traveling to pursue her craft, including seven years aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines as a solo artist.

Among the stage shows she performed that night was "Porgy and Bess," and she noted she previously had the honor of playing Bess at a show in Atlanta. She said the operatic role changed the trajectory of her entire career.

Nate Jacobs, WBTT's founder and artistic director, said he has appreciated the community's support for the past two decades. He also shared his gratitude for the many years of friendship he's enjoyed with the McKenzie family, first meeting Delores' parents in college.

"I'm just so very proud of Delores," he added.

McKenzie said she doesn't currently have upcoming dates scheduled for this specific show, but she said she welcomes venues to reach out through WBTT.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.