# Black Nativity > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Black_Nativity > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Black_Nativity.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nativity > Source revision: 1352049629 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Play written by Langston Hughes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2013}} {{For|the 2013 film based on the story|Black Nativity (film)}} {{Infobox musical | name = Black Nativity | subtitle = | image = Negro Musical Black Nativity in Rotterdam, Bestanddeelnr 914-5424.jpg | image_size = | caption = ''Black Nativity'' in [Rotterdam](/source/Rotterdam) (1962) | music = Traditional gospel spirituals chosen by [Langston Hughes](/source/Langston_Hughes) | lyrics = Traditional gospel spirituals chosen by [Langston Hughes](/source/Langston_Hughes) | book = [Langston Hughes](/source/Langston_Hughes) | basis = [The Nativity](/source/Nativity_play) | productions = 1961 [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) | awards = }} '''''Black Nativity''''' is an adaptation of the [Nativity](/source/Nativity_play) story by [Langston Hughes](/source/Langston_Hughes), performed by an entirely black cast. Hughes was the author of the book, with the lyrics and music being derived from traditional [Christmas carol](/source/Christmas_carol)s, sung in [gospel](/source/gospel_music) style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. The show was first performed [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) on December 11, 1961, and was one of the first plays written by an African American to be staged there. Hughes developed ''Black Nativity'' in 1961 after the founders of [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland)'s famous [Karamu House](/source/Karamu_House), Rowena and Russell Jelliffe, commissioned him for the project. As a young man, Hughes had premiered many of plays there and remained lifelong friends with the Jelliffes. ''Black Nativity'' was originally to be titled ''Wasn't That a Mighty Day?''{{cite web|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/langston-hughes-39-black-nativity-karamu-house/AAUhSM2eXcpKEw?hl=en|title=Langston Hughes' Black Nativity|author=Karamu Performing Arts Theatre|publisher=Google Arts & Culture|accessdate=November 20, 2024}} A week before the musical's December 1961 opening, dancers [Alvin Ailey](/source/Alvin_Ailey) and [Carmen de Lavallade](/source/Carmen_de_Lavallade) withdrew from their roles as Joseph and Mary over the title changing to ''Black Nativity'', objecting to the racialization of a religious term.{{cite web|url=http://african-american-playwrights.suite101.com/article.cfm/black_nativity_by_langston_hughes|title=Black Nativity by Langston Hughes|first=Sharyn|last=Skeeter|accessdate=July 9, 2014|publisher=Suite|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120701111807/http://african-american-playwrights.suite101.com/article.cfm/black_nativity_by_langston_hughes|archivedate=July 1, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Their roles were filled by Clive Thompson and Cleo Quitman, respectively.{{cite news |last=Zolotow |first=Sam |date=December 4, 1961 |title='Rich and Famous' Adds a Producer |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/12/04/119430061.html?zoom=14.65 |access-date=3 March 2024 |newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |page=49 |authorlink=Sam Zolotow}} [Louis Johnson](/source/Louis_Johnson_(dancer%2Fchoreographer)), who had replaced Ailey and de Lavallade as choreographer, received criticism from the ''[New York Amsterdam News](/source/New_York_Amsterdam_News)'' for dancing that was too constrained by the small stage to match the gospel singing.{{Cite journal |last=McLaren |first=Joseph |date=1997 |title=From Protest to Soul Fest: Langston Hughes' Gospel Plays |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26434461 |journal=The Langston Hughes Review |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=49–61 |issn=0737-0555}} The show begins with the theater completely darkened. Barefoot singers clad only in white robes and carrying (electric) candles walk in, singing the classic hymn "[Go Tell It on the Mountain](/source/Go_Tell_It_on_the_Mountain_(song))". The birth of Jesus is one of the most dramatic aspects of the show, as the stage--previously lit with orange and blue lights--is bathed in a deep red hue. Mary's contractions are echoed through the use of [African drums](/source/African_drums) and percussion. The [Three Wise Men](/source/Three_Wise_Men) are often played by prominent members of the black community in the neighboring area, and have no singing parts. The show closes with the chorus singing a reprise of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" as they walk out in darkness. A final [soliloquy](/source/soliloquy) by a young child ends the performance. The show had a successful tour of Europe in 1962, one of its appearances being at the [Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds](/source/Festival_dei_Due_Mondi) in [Italy](/source/Italy).Robert M Marovich, [https://books.google.com/books?id=rbJ_BwAAQBAJ&dq=black+nativity+1962+europe+tour&pg=PA249 ''A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music''], University of Illinois Press, 2015, p. 249. ''Black Nativity'' has been performed annually in [Boston, Massachusetts](/source/Boston%2C_Massachusetts), at various locations, such as: the [Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts](/source/Elma_Lewis_School_of_Fine_Arts), Boston Opera House, Tremont Temple, Roxbury Community College, Northeastern's Blackman Auditorium, and presently at Emerson College's Paramount Theater. It has been performed in Boston since 1970 and is considered the longest-running production of Langston Hughes' ''Black Nativity''. The original 160 singers were arranged by age group and [vocal range](/source/vocal_range), with an assortment of soloists, along with the [narrator](/source/narrator), and [Mary](/source/Mary%2C_the_mother_of_Jesus) and [Joseph](/source/Saint_Joseph), who are both mute, as well as musicians and [ASL interpreters](/source/ASL_interpreting). A performance of this musical also has taken place every Christmas season since 1998 in [Seattle](/source/Seattle), first at the [Intiman Theatre](/source/Intiman_Theatre) and then at the [Moore Theatre](/source/Moore_Theatre). The theatrical director is Jackie Moscou, the music director is [Patrinell Wright](/source/Patrinell_Wright), and the choreography was designed by [Donald Byrd](/source/Donald_Byrd_(choreographer)).{{cite web|url=http://stgpresents.org/artists/?artist=1594|title= Moore Theater performance in Seattle of Black Nativity|accessdate=July 9, 2014|archivedate=April 18, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418111227/http://stgpresents.org/artists/?artist=1594|publisher=STG Presents}} It is a smaller production with 30 or so choir members – most of whom are also members of The Total Experience Gospel Choir, led by Pastor Patrinell Wright,{{cite web|url=http://www.totalexperiencegospelchoir.org/bio.html|title=Pastor Patrinell Wright - Founder/Director|accessdate=July 9, 2014|publisher=Total Experience Gospel Choir|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714174032/http://www.totalexperiencegospelchoir.org/bio.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}} and the performance also includes 10 dancers and five musicians. The production was revived in 2023 after a decade away as part of Intiman's 50th Anniversary Season with an all-new creative team and vision. {{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/intiman-brings-back-black-nativity-a-beloved-seattle-tradition/ |last=Wilson |first=Gemma |date=2023-12-06 |title=Intiman Theatre Brings Back Black Nativity |access-date=January 21, 2026 |archive-date=2023-12-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208152234/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/intiman-brings-back-black-nativity-a-beloved-seattle-tradition/ |publisher=The Seattle Times}} ==Original cast recording== An original cast recording, titled ''Black Nativity, Gospel On Broadway!'' featuring [Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith](/source/Marion_Williams), Princess Stewart and [Prof. Alex Bradford & the Bradford Singers](/source/Alex_Bradford), was released by [Vee-Jay Records](/source/Vee-Jay_Records){{cite AV media notes|others = [Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith](/source/Marion_Williams), Princess Stewart and [Prof. Alex Bradford & the Bradford Singers](/source/Alex_Bradford)|title = Black Nativity, Gospel On Broadway! |year = 1963 |type = LP sleeve notes |publisher = [Vee-Jay Records](/source/Vee-Jay_Records)}} in 1963, with reported sales of close to 75,000 by June 8, 1963.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1963/Billboard%201963-06-08-OCR-Page-0003.pdf|title=And Now Gospel's Popping Into Pop Field|first=Ren|last=Grevait|page=3|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|date=June 8, 1963|access-date=July 15, 2025|via=worldradiohistory.com}} ==Adaptations== In 2004, a documentary film was made about the world premiere performance, production, and creation of the best-selling gospel Christmas album ''Black Nativity – In Concert: A Gospel Celebration'',{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandphoenix.com/music/other_stories/documents/04301692.asp |title=Back in Black |work=The Portland Phoenix |first=Becca |last=DeWan |date=December 3–9, 2004 |accessdate=July 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610215058/http://www.portlandphoenix.com/music/other_stories/documents/04301692.asp |archivedate=June 10, 2015 |df=mdy }} and the original cast, under the direction of [Aaron Robinson](/source/Aaron_Robinson_(composer)) that brought it to life at the Immanuel Baptist Church in [Portland, Maine](/source/Portland%2C_Maine).{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2231133/|title=Black Nativity: In Concert - A Gospel Celebration|accessdate=July 9, 2014|publisher=IMDb}} A [film version](/source/Black_Nativity_(film)) directed by [Kasi Lemmons](/source/Kasi_Lemmons) and starring [Forest Whitaker](/source/Forest_Whitaker) and [Angela Bassett](/source/Angela_Bassett) was released on November 27, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1425922/|title=Black Nativity (2013)|accessdate=July 9, 2014|publisher=IMDb}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[http://www.blacknativity.org/ BlackNativity.org] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120606151107/http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/black-nativity-debuts-broadway Black Nativity debuts on Broadway] from the African American Registry *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071009075118/http://www.ncaaa.org/nativity.html NCAAA page] *[http://archives.nypl.org/the/21751 Black nativity files, 1961-1980], held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, [New York Public Library for the Performing Arts](/source/New_York_Public_Library_for_the_Performing_Arts) {{Langston Hughes}} Category:Plays by Langston Hughes Category:1961 musicals Category:All-Black cast Broadway shows Category:Christmas musicals --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Black Nativity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nativity) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nativity?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.