Black Nativity Creates a Joyful Noise for the Holidays at Penumbra Theatre
Penumbra Theatre has been staging Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity since 1987, it’s another annual holiday tradition that brings audiences back year after year while also drawing new audiences. This was my second time seeing the show and as I like to do when seeing a repeat I brought someone who had never seen it with me. Her reaction was that it was just like church. As one can surmise from the title it’s the story of the birth of Jesus told from a cultural perspective that reflects the Author’s experiences on the world and of this story. While heavily steeped in Christianity, take it from a lapsed atheist, around the holidays I tend to forget not to believe, that there is much joy, hope, and understanding to be found in Black Nativity. The show is Directed by Lou Bellamy who has been involved with the show in every iteration at Penumbra since they began presenting it in 1987. Bellamy states in his Directors notes that Hughes left room for a wide variety of interpretations and that Penumbra’s productions have evolved over time, much like the Guthrie’s annual A Christmas Carol offerings. This years format is the same as last years, more or less in the style of a concert with a few brief scenes of interpretive dance Choreographed by Marciano Silva dos Santos. I love the idea that if I go again in two or three years time I may see it mounted in a different way, but also knowing that the joyful noise of it will remain intact.
The cast features Jennifer Whitlock as the Narrator whose text is based in the scripture verses I have grown up with, but there are moments where it departs or where the emphasis that Whitlock brings to them casts a new light on the words, one that we can recognize as a question to the audience. Asking does this sound familiar? Does this still hold true today? Do you see the parallels? Of course the answers are sadly yes, but the show doesn’t lead us to these reflections in order to leave us mired in our reality but to then lift us up with hope and the message of love and salvation and peace. It’s a message we all need to be reminded of this time of year and above all, this year, whatever our denomination, race, or financial situation. It’s a reminder that hope can come from the lowest of places and greatness can come from one born in a manger.
The main soloists are Greta Oglesby and Dennis spears, and watch out when they come on stage, because it’s from them that much of that joyful noise comes and it will have your hands clapping and your feet stomping along with them. Oglesby is amazing in a room filled with wonderful singers she shines bright like a star above a manger in a long ago time. Spears is rich of voice but can also become playful with breathy vocals that take on a jazzy scat quality to match is occasional fits of fancy footwork. He’s clearly having a great time and feeling the joyfulness of the music. Angela Stewart as the Choir Director and a Soloist pulls the rug out from under the audience with her rendition of “O Holy Night” she starts out breathy and while it’s well done you suspect that maybe her voice isn’t as strong as the other soloists, than the other shoe drops and she kicks it into another, lower gear and you realize, that’s where the power is and she stuns you with it. The dancers I mentioned are Hassan Ingraham and MerSadies McCoy and they stand in during a couple of songs as Joseph and Mary. This was one of my favorite parts of the show, coming at just the right place to add something new visually and unlike some dance this felt like it was driven by the story of the songs and gave an illustration of the emotions within. Ingraham and McCoy move wonderfully and gracefully together and watching them was a delight. The Musical Director was Sanford Moore and his musicians really raise the roof. The main performers are accompanied by the Kingdom Life Church Choir who lend an angelic and soulful quality to the proceedings.
If you’ve never been to Black Nativity, I encourage all to add it to your calendars, it is such a joyful and celebratory show. You don’t have to believe the same things to appreciate the beauty and joy of it’s message. There something beautiful about going and watching others celebrate their beliefs. This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.
Black Nativity runs through December 22nd at Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://penumbratheatre.org/event/black-nativity-6
Photo Courtesy of Penumbra Theatre
