Langston Hughes' Black Nativity to Play Off-Bway in Dec.

Returning to Times Square for the first time since its Broadway debut 46 years ago, Langston Hughes' gospel song play Black Nativity will be raising the roof this winter at The Duke on 42nd Street Theater (229 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues).

The New 42nd Street will present the Classical Theatre of Harlem's new production of this joyous show for a limited, 5-week run from November 30-December 30. Directed by CTH's co-founder Alfred Preisser and choreographed by Tracy Jack, this Black Nativity "is set in 1973 Times Square and offers a colloquial retelling of the birth of Christ, rooted in the traditional music of the black church with gospel, R&B, soul and funk arrangements," as described in press materials.

"Black Nativity is one of the most beloved works of Langston Hughes, the prolific writer who was one of the leading lights of the Harlem Renaissance. In this new adaptation, against a backdrop of lost souls and hustlers, a street corner preacher narrates the journey of a young girl who is looking for the elusive 'peace on earth.'  Through a cleverly designed modular set by Troy Hourie, 42nd Street implodes and opens up to the interior of a church, where people are celebrating the nativity at a simple midnight mass. The girl finds herself inside the narrative of the preacher's sermon, in the role of Mary. A series of fantastic songs, dances and sermons deliver Hughes' message that hope and spirituality are present in all places and all times.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) is a professional theatre company that was co-founded by Christopher McElroen and Alfred Preisser in February of 1999. CTH received the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work as well as the 2004 Drama Desk and 2001 OBIE Awards for Artistic Excellence and 12 AUDELCO Awards for excellence in Black Theatre.

The show plays: Tuesday-Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 1 and 6 pm.  There are added Wednesday matinees on Dec. 19 and Dec. 26 at 2 pm.  There are no performances on Dec. 8 and Dec. 25 All tickets are $50 and go on sale August 7.  Order online at www.DukeOn42.org, or by phone at 646-223-3010. 

Visit www.classicaltheatreorharlem.org for more on the Classical Theatre of Harlem.

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