Hughes’ ‘Black Nativity’ is uplifting holiday musical
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Public Press partner KALW Public Radio spoke with Thomas Robert Simpson, artistic director of AfroSolo Theater Company, about Black Nativity.
The performance does not shy away from biblical narrative or message. Debra Q. Henderson, “Black Nativity’s” lead performer and psalmist, is a licensed minister. But the artistic vision is uplifting: to revel in an old story and to celebrate exalted music. Hughes called it “joyful noise unto the lord.”
With a cast from the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, “Black Nativity” will be performed through Dec. 27 at Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St. There will be a Michael Jackson tribute in between the gospel Christmas carols. For more information, go to www.lhtsf.org.
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Michael Montgomery and Challyce Brogdon as Joseph and Mary, with principal artist Debra Henderson, in white at center, and the cast of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre’s “Black Nativity, A Gospel Celebration of Christmas,” conceived and directed by Stanley E. Williams, and playing through Dec. 27 at Marines Memorial Theatre. Photo courtesy of Jedd de Lucia.
About the Author
Gianmaria Franchini is a freelance writer and journalist who specializes in culture and arts. His writing has appeared in GT Weekly, SF360.org and NOVO magazine. He has contributed research and writing for stories on public health in Alameda County, underground farmer's markets, and public art for the SF Public Press. He has a degree in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he edited the Arts desk for City on a Hill Press. He lives in Oakland.
