Black Theatre Troupe presents The Musical Celebration BLACK NATIVITY

One of the most renowned musicals of the holiday season, BLACK NATIVITY, returns to Black Theatre Troupe. December 2 - 17, 2017. Last season's sold out, legendary holiday event by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, returns to the BTT stage. This stunning new production of Black Nativity is without a doubt a theatrical wonderment. A joyous company of singers, actors, dancers and musicians delivers its powerful message of joy, hope, victory and liberation. This song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all at a very special time of the year.

Writer Langston Hughes referred to the show as a "Gospel Song-Play." BLACK NATIVITY was first produced in December 1961 at New York's 41st Street Theatre. Hughes wrote an eight-page script around a series of traditional gospel songs. Upon its premiere, it became and has remained an international success. After its New York debut, the show ran at President Kennedy's International Jazz Festival and then lauded at the Festival of Two Worlds at Spoleto, Italy. The New York Times reported that the "sophisticated Italian audiences greeted BLACK NATIVITY with enthusiasm, taking part in the singing and hand clapping and insisting on curtain call after curtain call." The Rome newspaper Il Tempo added, "The elegant festival public appeared to have forgotten itself, lost in this rhythmic wave that overwhelmed it, an integral part itself that bound stage and auditorium in a mystical fusion."

BLACK NATIVITY is directed by David J. Hemphill with choreography by Anna Jones , musical direction by Kelvin Lewis

Run dates: December 2-17, 2017

Fri, Dec 1 at 8pm
Sat, Dec 2 at 8pm
Sun, Dec 3 at 3pm
Thu, Dec 7 at 2pm
Fri, Dec 8 at 8pm
Sat, Dec 9 at ­2pm

Sat, Dec 9 at ­2pm
Sun, Dec 10 at ­­­­3pm
Fri, Dec 15 at 8pm
Sat, Dec 16 at 2pm
Sat, Dec 16 at 8pm
Sun, Dec 17 at 3pm

Tickets - $38
- box office at 602-258-8129
- purchase online at: http://new-wp.blacktheatretroupe.org/box-office/

The Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center is located in downtown Phoenix
at 1333 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85034

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