Sat 11/30-Sun 12/15
Black Nativity began its life as a 1961 play written by noted author, playwright and poet Langston Hughes, one of the leaders of the so-called Harlem Renaissance, a flourishing of Black arts and culture in the 20s and 30s. It told the story of the Nativity through a Black lens, with traditional Christmas tunes performed gospel-style, dancers and Biblical narrative.
While in his teens, Hughes lived in Cleveland for several years in the late nineteen-teens, graduated from Central High School and was active at Karamu House And it was Karamu founders Rowena and Russell Jelliffe who commissioned the project which debuted Off-Broadway in December 1961. Since then, it’s been performed regularly across the country and it was made into a movie in 2013 starting Forrest Whitaker and Angela Bassett.
Since 2022 Karamu has been producing the work during the holiday season at the Hanna Theatre in partnership with Playhouse Square. Karamu President/CEO Tony F. Sias is directing, along with Errin Weaver; Dr. David M. Thomas is the musical director.
“Black Nativity is one of the most beloved faith-based works in American musical theatre and has been the centerpiece of numerous Karamu production seasons,” says Sias in a press release. “We are so pleased our presenting partnership with Playhouse Square now makes it possible to share the joyful and uplifting message of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativitywith larger and more diverse audiences.”
For tickets go to karamuhouse.org or call 216.241.6000.
Cleveland, OH 44115