Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Count Basie Center for the Arts In Association with DUNBAR REPERTORY COMPANY Presents
Black Nativity By Langston Hughes
Directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr.
Assistant Director Mark Antonio Henderson
Musical Director Gwen Moten
Production Stage Manager Janet Clarke Graham
Choreographer Bridgette Duncan
Lighting Designer Sumter Lee Ludd
Costume Designer Olivier Grant Wendall
*** Starring Choir ***
Malcolm Allen Lina Allen Vivette Alston Ashlie Ashe Jeffery Boga Melissa Cavaluzzi Sam Cofer Martin Cordero Anissa Crisp Quint Essence Jaz Graham Octavia Harrell Karen Henderson Ernest Hollins Jennifer Hom Maria J. Lodeiro-Skennon Tarika Jean-Pierre
Kyla Jordan Puryear Jennifer Jordan Angie Josiah Tommy L. Dean Fern Lucas Sharon Lucas Lori Lustica Wilma Porter Calesha Preddy Daylyne Renee Lucas Rizzuto-Canero Kyne Rogers Ava Rose Kelli Sanders Clayton Simmons Lorraine Stone Antonious Thigpen
- Today’s performance will have one 15 minute intermission -
Black Nativity is a joyous retelling of the original Nativity story in scripture, verse, music and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, and written by Langston Hughes, Black Nativity was first performed on Broadway on December 11, 1961. Please silence electronic devices. Go to the lobby to receive calls or texts. Cell phones or cameras may be used for photo or video recording discreetly from your seat, as long as: no flash is employed, nobody is bothered, for private, non-commercial use only. Professional equipment is not allowed. The theater reserves the right to ask a customer to stop, and confiscate and delete the contents of such devices. These are the theater’s guidelines, subject to change without notice. Neither the artist nor any other entity connected with any show grants any filming or recording rights. This show is presented by the Count Basie Center for the Arts, the nonprofit corporation that owns, manages and programs the historic theater. The Basie’s programs are made possible in part by major support received within the last year from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the Endowment for the Arts, and the Members and Supporters of the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
Act One - A Child Is Born
ACTORS
(In Order of Appearance)
ACT I
Narrator: Antonious Thigpen Mary: Calesha Preddy Joseph: Lucas Rizzuto-Canero Woman: Robin Dean
ACT II
Narrator: Antonious Thigpen Elder: Arthur Gregory Pugh Woman: Robin Dean ********
MUSICIANS:
Dr. B. Dexter Allgood (Piano & Synthesizer) Craig Capers-Redmond (Drums) Art Graham (Bass Guitar) ********
DANCERS:
Bridgette Duncan Qualé
1. Now Behold The Lamb 2. Good News 3. Healing 4. Lord Help Me To Hold Out 5. Rockin Jerusalem 6. The Prayer 7. There Is A Name 8. Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child 9. Joy To The World 10. Oh, Holy Night 11. Go Tell It On The Mountain 12. Rise Up Shepherd And Follow 13. Little Drummer Boy 14. Emanuelle 15. Now Behold The Lamb (Reprise) 16. You Are The Living Word 17. Speak To My Heart *** (15 minute intermission) ***
Act Two - The Word Is Spread 18. Ride On King Jesus 19. Glory, Glory Hallelujah 20. Guide My Feet 21. He Decided 22. The Blood 23. Yes 24. Trust Me 25. Worth 26. Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus 27. Thank You Lord 28. Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody 29. Jordan River 30. Come Lift The Name Of Jesus 31. Total Praise 32. We’ve Come This Far By Faith 33. Ride On King Jesus (Reprise) 34. Oh, Magnify The Lord