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Black Nativity

Presented by Black Theatre Troupe at Playhouse on the Park

December 2-December 11, 2011

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By popular demand this legendary holiday event by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes returns to the BTT stage in a stunning new production. The production is directed by David J. Hemphill with musical direction by Anthony Cowan and musical supervision by Jennifer Nichole Robinson. Choreography by LaToya DeJesus.

Black Nativity is a celebration that tells the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke and combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this gospel musical touches a special chord in the hearts of all during this holiday season.

Writer Langston Hughes referred to the show as a "Gospel Song-Play." Black Nativity was first produced in December 1961 at New York's 41st Street Theatre. Hughes wrote an eight-page script around a series of traditional gospel songs. Upon its premiere, it became and has remained an international success.

Like a jazz number, Hughes has allowed Black Nativity to be substituted and incorporated with variable styles of musical compositions to reflect the choices of a theatrical company. The Valley's Black Theatre Troupe production directed by David J. Hemphill and choreographed by LaToya DeJesus will be using the some original 1961 script and gospel selections, such as "Oh, Jerusalem in the Morning" and as well as new compositions by Jennifer Nichole Robinson and Anthony Cowan "Baby Born Today."