Black Nativity

This is a work by the brilliant American poet, Langston Hughes. Black Nativity is a gospel song play and the retelling the classic nativity story with an entirely black cast.  Traditional Christmas carols are sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show.  It was one of the first plays written by an African American to be staged at the Lincoln Theater. The show had a successful tour of Europe in 1962. Black Nativity has been performed annually by theater companies and churches across the country and is rightfully described as a hand-clapping, foot stomping, unapologetically joyous celebration of the gospel.