By Timothy Coughlin
On Dec. 5, President Richard Freeland and the university community will celebrate Northeastern University Night at Black Nativity, an annual event in its 34th year.
Black Nativity, which is put on at The Tremont Temple on Tremont Street, boasts 16 showings this year, but the Dec. 5 date is being done as a special presentation for Northeastern students and faculty.
“Black Nativity is an event that adds much to the cultural and spiritual quality of Greater Boston,” said Special Assistant to the Director of Government Relations and Community Affairs Joe Warren. “Each season it attracts over 15,000 people to its performances.”
Produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Black Nativity is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, as interpreted through the Gospel of St. Luke and the poetry of Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes. Performed by a company of 160 singers, actors, dancers and musicians, the Boston production is the longest running performance of the musical in the world, according to its Web site, www.blacknativity.org.
It is a different experience each night, as the cast rotates, bringing about a new energy to the stage. The cast members aren’t necessarily professional actors either; the company is made up of individuals from all walks of life, Warren said.
“People of different religious backgrounds and socioeconomic backgrounds can make up the cast — lawyers, judges, doctors, blue collar workers, unemployed people, homeless people — and when they’re on stage, they all work together as a team; they work together and represent one voice,” said Black Nativity Treasurer and Board of Directors member E.J. Walton. “It’s just a complete cross-section of the black community.”
Northeastern has a more direct tie to this year’s performance, as the parts of the three kings will be played by university administrators and professors: David Blackman, Leonard Brown and David Hall. The Dec. 5 date will be hosted by President Freeland.
“Black Nativity symbolizes the artistic achievement and strong presence of the African-American community in Boston as embodied in Elma Lewis (founder and Artistic Director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc.),” Freeland said in an e-mail statement. “The historic ties between Northeastern University and Black Nativity reflect our deep connection with the African-American community of Boston and therefore our desire to celebrate its achievements.”
The show is not solely intended for an African-American audience or even just a Christian audience for that matter, Walton said.
“The performance crosses boundaries,” he said. “More than 60 percent of our audience is white and ticket sales are strong in the suburbs and across New England. There’s something undeniable about the way the story is told.
“Mary’s labor, which is accompanied by the rhythm of our African past, is both beautiful and painful. Its power touches a deep part of the soul that lacks words. But through the careful blend of Hughes’ poetry and John Andrew Ross’ musical direction, those ineffable feelings gain a joyous articulation.”
A limited number of free tickets to the show are available to Northeastern students, and can be obtained by contacting Makeda Keegan by e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 617-373-4028.
