Joyful 'Black Nativity' connects birth of Jesus to family life today

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
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Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" celebrates the birth of Jesus through Black American musical culture. For the eighth consecutive season, a local, intergenerational cast performed this joyful show at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, under the auspices of Black Arts MKE.

The production's blend of gospel and R&B music has stayed fairly consistent here, but each director shapes the staging differently. Ashley S. Jordan has given the 2023 "Black Nativity" a frame that centers that nativity in Black family life: A father is telling this story to his children.

In Act One, Joseph (William Toney) and Mary (D'Shaunta Stewart) find no room at the inn, so Mary gives birth in a stable (assisted by a community of women, including take-charge doula Melesha Spears-Saffold). Familiar songs and hymns express the communal joy and excitement of this blessed event, including the Prince-like jam of "What You Gonna Name Your Baby?," always one of my favorite segments of this show.

The celebration is extended with many call-and-response moments, including audience interaction, and with dance onstage. I watched the school group matinee Thursday with hundreds of students who erupted with excitement when featured dancer Dos Feurtado burst into a brief moonwalk.

Act Two brings the story into the present day, with members of a church choir reflecting on their faith and their challenges. In some iterations of "Black Nativity," a conflict between believers and questioners is worked into this section, but Jordan's staging doesn't stress that. "Black Nativity" is an unusual Christmas show because it also takes faithful note, expressed in Act Two, of what the crucifixion means to Christians.

Jordan uses projected background images to evoke settings. Music director and keyboardist Antoine Reynolds leads the mighty band. Debrasha Greye choreographs the movement.

If you go

Black Arts MKE performs "Black Nativity" through Sunday at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gospel musical 'Black Nativity' celebrates birth of Jesus