"It is the unexpected that is the most delightful."
- Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope review, Clive Barnes, 1972, New York Times
A musical revue of gospel, jazz, funk, soul, & calypso focused on the African-American experience.
Writer, composer Micki Grant made history as the first African-American woman to create an original Broadway show. Vinnette Carroll became the first black woman to direct this award winning Broadway production in 1972.
Photos from the Original 1972 Cast, Photos from New York Public Library
Act 2
Creative Team
CJAY PHILIP
DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER
CJay Philip is Artistic Director of Dance & Bmore, a dynamic Baltimore-based ensemble performing a unique fusion of movement, music, and spoken word. Dance & Bmore also designs innovative programs for all ages that stimulate the imagination while strengthening community and emotional health.
CJay relocated to Baltimore following a successful Broadway and touring career. She made her Broadway debut in Big the Musical, was in Street Corner Symphony, and was Dance Captain for the Broadway production of Hairspray. She has toured as Lorrell in Dreamgirls and Paulette in Legally Blonde. CJay has written four stage productions, including a musical adaptation of the opera Carmen which enjoyed a sold-out European run before its premier in Baltimore in 2019. Voices of Carmen combines Pop, Rap, R&B, and Opera with fresh arrangements of Carmen plus a dozen original songs by CJay and Winston Philip.
As a Director and Choreographer, CJay's credits include Ragtime, Once on This Island, Seussical, The Wizard of Oz, Marvin's Trial, Her, Across the River, Little Shop of Horrors, The Who's Tommy, Emmy Award-winning McDonald's Gospel Fest, African American Festival, WOW (Women of the World) Festival, and Essences Magazine Upfront. CJay is also a winner of Dance Break NYC, Baltimore Social Innovator Award, Champion of Courage Award, Arts Advocate Award, and has been a Robert W. Deutsch Fellow and Kennedy Center Citizen Arts Fellow.
CJay grew up listening to the cast album of “Cope” and only imagined the show in her mind. Influenced by the fusion of music, dance, and spoken word, it is a dream come true to present her own perspective and direction of Micki Grant and Vinnette Carroll's Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope!!
My work attempts to capture "SOUL" while depicting positive representations of African American life. My creations are a reflection of my personal values and pay homage to ongoing themes of unity, family, and spirituality.
- Larry "Poncho" Brown, Artist Statement
2023 Baltimore Cast
(listed in alphabetical order by first name)
Thanks
Thanks to all of the dancers and choreographers in History of Dance for their choreographic collaboration and contributions: Brandon Shaw McKnight, Cirron, Peri Ellis, Timothy Johnson-McCoy, and Tracie Marie Jiggetts.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Cirron for choreography in "You Think I Got Rhythm?" and Peri Ellis for choreography in "Universe in Mourning."
Musicians
Production Team
...And you!
Funding to produce Bmore Broadway Live shows like Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, come from grants, ticket sales for shows and events, merchandise, and donations!
Your donation of any amount goes directly to producing the Bmore Broadway Live season, paying our cast and production crew, and production elements (set, lights, costumes, props, and more!). You can add a donation to your ticket purchase or you can donate using the link below.
Bmore Broadway Live is a program of Dance & Bmore.