A musical play by Langston Hughes
Wendell Tabb Productions & Xavier Cason’s Throne Life Media
December 18-20 at Hillside High School
Featuring The Dynamic Gospel Artist, REGINALD BONEY & SUSTAINED
TICKETS $20 ON SALE NOW!
One of the most beloved events for you and your family to attend during the Christmas season is a presentation of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. Hughes called it a “gospel song play.” You’ll find a production of this musical performed in churches, theaters, on college campuses, and more in almost every major U.S. city and other regions. It is a joyful retelling of St. Luke’s story of the birth of Christ by way of gospel music, dance, poetry, and narrative.
Black Nativity was first produced on New York City’s Broadway on December 11, 1961. The original name for this play was Wasn’t It a Mighty Day? You might also find it interesting that original cast members like Alvin Ailey and Carmen de Lavallade quit the production before opening day because they objected to the use of the word “black” in the title. The rationale at the time was that this word might be too divisive for a Broadway production aimed at keeping things harmonious with all audiences.
Ultimately, black in the title did not matter. This liberating and energetic musical opened to rave reviews. When the New York production ended, Black Nativity toured Europe. It was very well received in 1962 at the Spoleto Festival in Italy.
Keep in mind that Langston Hughes—besides being a poet, journalist, memoir writer, novelist, and short story writer—also wrote more than twenty plays and other musicals. Tambourines to Glory, Mulatto, Emperor of Haiti, Simply Heavenly and Jericho-Jim Crow are a few of the stage works by Hughes, a writer very interested in the African-American oral tradition. His political plays included Scottsboro Limited, Harvest, Angelo Herndon Jones, and De Organizer. He also wrote Mule Bone with Zora Neale Hurston.
Many of the contemporary productions of Black Nativity have tweaked the original musical to reflect today’s cultural interests. Attending a presentation of Black Nativity could add to the joy of this season and create an annual holiday tradition for your family.
For tickets call (919) 683-1709 ext. 21, drop by Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, or visit www.hayti.org.
