Black Nativity

"Black Nativity" is a gospel song play by American playwright, poet, novelist and fiction writer Langston Hughes who was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, and whose work portrayed Black life in America from the 1920s through the 1960s.

The first act tells the familiar story of Christ’s birth, with the shepherds watching their flocks, the Magi visiting the Christ child, and Mary and Joseph finding no room at the inn, Obleton said. Hughes used the carols “Joy to the World,” “Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him,” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”

The second act, Obleton said, shifts to another time and speaks of the reason why the Nativity celebration is important spiritually, and important in the current times. Hughes used Gospel spirituals “Holy Ghost,” “Changed,” “Be Grateful,” and “Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody,” among others for this part of the story.

Show times are: Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11: 7:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 12, 3:30 p.m.

Playcrafters Barn Theater is located at 4950 35th Ave., Moline.

For more information, email Joseph Obleton at [email protected] or call 563-650-2636.