Urbanite Theatre’s Who Is Eartha Mae? Brings the Woman Behind the Legend, Eartha Kitt to Life
There are iconic performers, and then there are forces of nature. Eartha Kitt was undoubtedly the latter.
At Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre, Who Is Eartha Mae? offers audiences a fascinating and deeply moving look beyond the glamorous public persona of one of the most recognizable entertainers of the twentieth century. Written and performed by the extraordinarily talented Jade Wheeler, this powerful one-woman production peels back the layers of celebrity to reveal the remarkable woman behind the legend: Eartha Mae Keith, a child born into poverty in rural South Carolina who would rise to become an international star.
Many people know Eartha Kitt as the sultry singer of “Santa Baby,” the unforgettable Catwoman from the 1960s Batman television series, or the sophisticated cabaret performer with a voice unlike any other. What many may not realize is that her journey to fame was shaped by hardship, rejection, resilience, and an unwavering determination to define herself on her own terms.
That is precisely what makes Who Is Eartha Mae? such a compelling theatrical experience.
Set largely in the intimate space of a dressing room between performances, the show invites audiences into the private world of a woman who spent much of her life under the spotlight. As Eartha removes the makeup and glamour associated with her public image, she reveals the vulnerable, determined, and often wounded person underneath. The production draws inspiration from Kitt’s own reflection: “When I go back to the dressing room, I take off the makeup and I’m not Eartha Kitt anymore, I’m Eartha Mae again.”
Wheeler’s performance is nothing short of mesmerizing. She captures Kitt’s unmistakable charisma, wit, and confidence while also allowing audiences to experience the pain and struggles that shaped her extraordinary life. Through storytelling and song, Wheeler guides viewers through decades of triumph and heartbreak, creating a portrait that feels both intimate and expansive.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is its ability to illuminate Kitt’s difficult beginnings. Born Eartha Mae Keith in South Carolina in 1927, Kitt endured a childhood marked by poverty, instability, and abuse. She often spoke of going hungry and surviving on whatever food could be found in the fields and forests around her home. Rejected because of her mixed-race heritage and light complexion, she experienced feelings of displacement and isolation from an early age.
Yet from those incredibly challenging circumstances emerged one of the most captivating entertainers of her generation.
Kitt’s talent eventually led her to New York and to the renowned Katherine Dunham dance company, launching a career that would take her around the world. She became fluent in multiple languages, performed internationally, starred on Broadway, and built a reputation as one of the most electrifying performers of her era. Orson Welles famously called her “the most exciting woman in the world,” a description that still seems fitting decades later.
But Who Is Eartha Mae? doesn’t simply celebrate Kitt’s success. It also examines her courage.
One of the most fascinating chapters of Kitt’s life occurred in 1968 when she publicly criticized the Vietnam War during a White House luncheon hosted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. The backlash was swift and severe, leading to professional blacklisting in the United States. Rather than remain silent, Kitt stood by her convictions, eventually rebuilding her career overseas before making a celebrated return to Broadway.
This willingness to speak truth to power becomes one of the production’s central themes. Kitt was never content to simply be an entertainer. She was an independent thinker who refused to allow others to define her identity or silence her voice.
Urbanite Theatre’s intimate setting proves ideal for a production of this nature. The audience feels less like spectators and more like confidants, sharing personal moments and memories alongside Kitt herself. The close proximity enhances the emotional impact of the storytelling and allows Wheeler’s performance to resonate on a deeply personal level.
The musical elements add another layer of richness to the experience. Familiar songs evoke nostalgia while underscoring the emotional journey being explored onstage. The transitions between music and narrative feel seamless, creating an engaging rhythm that keeps the audience fully invested throughout the performance.
Perhaps most importantly, Who Is Eartha Mae? reminds us that behind every icon is a human being. The glamour, fame, and accolades tell only part of the story. The struggles, disappointments, resilience, and perseverance often reveal far more.
For those who know Eartha Kitt only through her music or television appearances, this production offers an illuminating introduction to a remarkable life. For longtime fans, it provides a deeper appreciation of the woman whose talent and determination overcame extraordinary obstacles.
By the final curtain, audiences leave not only entertained but inspired. Eartha Kitt’s story is one of survival, reinvention, courage, and authenticity. Jade Wheeler’s captivating performance ensures that both Eartha Kitt and Eartha Mae are given the spotlight they deserve.
Who Is Eartha Mae? is poignant, energizing, and utterly fascinating—a fitting tribute to a woman who refused to be anything other than herself.
https://www.urbanitetheatre.com
