Black Nativity facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Nativity |
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Black Nativity in Rotterdam (1962)
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| Music | Traditional gospel spirituals chosen by Langston Hughes |
| Lyrics | Traditional gospel spirituals chosen by Langston Hughes |
| Book | Langston Hughes |
| Basis | the Nativity |
| Productions | 1961 Off-Broadway |
Black Nativity is a special play that tells the story of the first Christmas. It was created by the famous writer Langston Hughes. This play is unique because it features an all-Black cast.
The music and songs in Black Nativity come from traditional Christmas carols. They are sung in a lively gospel style. Some new songs were also written just for the show.
The play first opened in New York City on December 11, 1961. It was performed Off-Broadway, which means it was in a smaller theater. This was a big moment because it was one of the first plays by an African American writer to be shown there.
In 1962, Black Nativity went on a successful tour in Europe. It even performed at a big arts event called the Spoleto Festival in Italy.
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What is Black Nativity Like?
The show begins in a very quiet and dark theater. Singers, dressed in white robes and carrying electric candles, walk in. They sing the well-known hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain".
The birth of Jesus is a very powerful part of the play. The stage lights change to deep red, making the scene feel very dramatic. The sounds of African drums help show Mary's journey.
The Three Wise Men are often played by important people from the local Black community. They do not sing in the show. The play ends with the choir singing "Go Tell It on the Mountain" again as they leave the stage in darkness. A young child then speaks a final short message.
Long-Running Performances
Black Nativity has been performed every year in Boston, Massachusetts, since 1969. It has been shown in many different places there. Today, it is performed at Emerson College's Paramount Theater. This makes it the longest-running production of Langston Hughes's Black Nativity.
The original show had 160 singers. They were organized by age and how high or low their voices were. There were also solo singers, a narrator, and silent roles for Mary and Joseph. Musicians and sign language interpreters are also part of the performance.
Since 1998, a performance of Black Nativity has also taken place every Christmas season in Seattle. It started at the Intiman Theater and is now at the Moore Theater. This production has about 30 choir members, many from The Total Experience Gospel Choir. It also includes 10 dancers and five musicians.
How the Play Started
The original name for this play was Wasn’t It a Mighty Day?. The famous dancer Alvin Ailey was part of the first Off-Broadway cast. However, he and Carmen de Lavallade left the show before it opened. This happened because they disagreed about changing the title to Black Nativity.
Film Adaptations
In 2013, a film version of the play was released. It was directed by Kasi Lemmons. Famous actors like Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett starred in the movie.
