SATURDAY DECEMBER 21, 2013 BLACK NATIVITY, LANGSTON HUGHES' ICONIC HOLIDAY CLASSIC, RETURNS TO NEW HAVEN WITH FAMILY CENTERED CAST
BLACK NATIVITY, LANGSTON HUGHES' ICONIC HOLIDAY CLASSIC, RETURNS TO NEW HAVEN
WITH FAMILY CENTERED CAST
On
Saturday, December 21, at 2:00 and again at 7:00 PM, join the 2013 cast of
Black Nativity by Langston Hughes at The Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St.
James, 57 Olive Street, at the corner of Chapel Street. Seats are $10 general and $5 children under
12 and seniors.
Black
Nativity is the gospel musical journey of Mary and Joseph toward Bethlehem
where the Baby Jesus is born, and the subsequent church service that celebrates
His life and legacy. This year's version
of the play also includes two of Langston's poems along with dance
embellishment choreographed by Broadway veteran Wes Yarbor. Soprano Dana Elizabeth Fripp is a featured
soloist and Broadway actor Charles C.C. Brown returns to Connecticut to portray
the Elder and is also a featured soloist.
The
collaboration of well known local Monk and Gibson-Brown families is the core of
the 2013 production. Director Aleta
Staton, a local actress herself, says "These two families are both
identified by their roots in the church and their wings in gospel music. They both have performed as family singing
groups. At least 5 of the Browns and 9
of the Monks will perform. This will be
the first time they have collaborated in this manner."
Charles
C.C. Brown, founder with his mom Mae Gibson-Brown of the Salt and Pepper Gospel
Choir, is a featured performer. His
background includes several stints on Broadway as Mufasa in The Lion King as
well as principal roles in Dreamgirls and Les Miserables. International performer Dana Elizabeth Fripp
returns to the play from her five year run at Long Wharf under the direction of
Sarah Peterson. Dudley Flake, bandleader
of local jazz ensemble Psalm 150, serves as Musical Director.
"This
is our re-introduction of the show to New Haven. As we begin to reinterpret the music and
re-stage the story with elements such as dance and spoken word, hopefully we
can involve more talented performers from this area and enlarge the production
in subsequent years. We are thankful and
appreciative of the support of Long Wharf Theatre in this venture. They kindly offered to let us use the
costumes from the run of the show that ended in 2007, in addition to opening
one of their rehearsal halls when we needed space to move around," says
Staton.
Seating
is limited for this production, and there are three portals for
reservation of seats. It is advisable to make reservations ahead of
time.
For more information or to reserve seats to either showing,
Comment or "Like" us on Facebook at Black
Nativity New Haven.
Comments