‘Black Nativity’ Will Represent Diversity Of CT

NEWHAVEN — Long Wharf Theatre will present a special presentation of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity for the holiday season. The special engagement will take place on Long Wharf’s C. Newton Schenck Mainstage for four performances only: Thursday and Friday, December 16-17, at 8 pm, and Saturday, December 18, at 2 and 8 pm.  

 A nativity story and a revival piece combined, Black Nativity uses rousing gospel music and the poetry of the celebrated African-American writer Langston Hughes to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Black Nativity is being directed by Sarah Peterson, with musical direction by Jonathan Q. Berryman.

The cast of Black Nativity features local performers Kenyon Adams, Harriet Alfred, Eric Brown, Regina Edwards, Richard Ford, and Dana Fripp, with an onstage gospel choir comprised of members of six church congregations from the greater New Haven community: Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Varick AME Zion Church, Mt Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church, St Luke’s Episcopal, Immanuel Baptist Church, and Dixwell Avenue United Church of Christ.

“We are thrilled to offer Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity to the community,” said managing director Michael Stotts. “This event is a unique collaboration among many individuals and churches, which in itself is a celebration of the diversity of our state. Our concert staging of Black Nativity two years ago was a standing-room-only event, which is what led us to the decision to bring it back this season.”

Single tickets for Black Nativity are available for purchase by phone at 203-787-4282 or toll-free at 800-782-8497, in person at the Long Wharf Theatre box office at 222 Sargent Drive, and online at www.LongWharf.org. Prices range from $25 to $35 for adults, and $10 for children ages 12.