ARTS Friday, December 11, 1987 The Michigan Daily Page 13 'Nativity' awakens By Terri S. Park Somewhere, amidst all of the lights and tinsel, the cellophane wrapping paper, the crowded stores, the frayed nerves, and the general evolution of the "commercial holi- day," the true meaning of Christmas is often overlooked, and even forgotten. Sometimes, it takes something special to remind us what we are really celebrating. Perhaps this year, that special something is a musical play entitled Black Nativ- ity. The Ann Arbor premiere perfor- mance of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity will be presented by the Black Theatre Workshop and the University's Minority Service Orga- nizations. The play originally had its Broadway debut in 1961, before the height of the civil rights movement. It was originally entitled Wasn' t That A Mighty Day, but was later changed to Black Nativity, which caused some actors to leave the play because they were uneasy with giv- ing it a label by race. When asked about the initial re- ception to this gospel play, Deana Thomas, producer of Black Nativity, states, "It originally had a short run, it didn't do well in the United States, but did do surprisingly well abroad." Black Nativity is a play with a sixteen page script. The storyline is siiple. In a far away African village the story of the birth of Christ is 'Patience' is worth true s Minority Affairs, and the Center for Afro-American Studies. However, even as of last week the play was plagued by limited funding. "I had to tell everyone that the play might not go on, because we didn't have the funds to rent the theatre," recalls Thomas. "Finally, I called Vice- President Henry Johnson's office and asked for the money... their reply was 'yes,' and I knew my prayers were answered... the play would go on no matter what obstacles we faced." So after much tribulation, the show looks as though it is really going to happen, with dancing choreographed by Gayle Martin, and traditional gospel music creatively arranged by Alvin Waters. The cast itself is composed of graduate and undergraduate students from the University, with Steve Dixon (from The Carrier), as a supporting actor. The artistic director is Byron Saun- ders, the 1986 winner of the Kool Achiever's Award for his accom- plishments in providing professional opportunities to Black performers : and technicians. pirit "This play is actually a non-de- nomination play, it's not about be- ing Baptist or Catholic," says Thomas. "The whole concept of Black Nativity is family...not a Black family, but the family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. A human family... this play is about uniting the family." So in the midst of cramming for finals, writing term papers, and braving the shopping malls for last minute gift buying, take time ott with a friend or members of your own family to reflect upon the true' meaning of the season, and see this heart-warming, feet-stomping, love inspired musical. Perhaps, in our world of racial tension and unrest, the real spirit and meaning of Christmas is truly color-blind. Performances of BLACK NA- TIVITY will be held from Decem- ber 17 to December 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at the Mendelssohn Theatre in the Michigan League. Ticket prices are $10 and $8 for general admission, and $4 with student I.D. For ticket info call 764-1582 or 764-5350. Workshop will be ushering in the holiday's with Langston Hughes' right), Deana Thomas and Rosia Mitchell. Second row (left to right),1 Steve Dixon, Washington Holmes, Rick Titsworth, and Gayle Martin. The Black Theatre First row (left to Shawn Scarbrough, 'Black Nativity.' LaDawn Welton, being told by a Griot, an African story teller, to a group of villagers. The villagers then recreate the event with singing and dancing. That's all there is to it. The presentation of this musical is completely left to the interpretation of the individual direc- tor. "It is a director's dream," says Thomas with shining eyes. "You can make it do whatever you want." The production of Black Nativity is in itself a story of miracles and faith. According to Thomas, it is the cumulative response of the Uni- versity and its Black community to the Theatre Department's decision in 1983, to no longer sponsor Black productions. The department's rea- soning was based on a desire to con- centrate more on multi-racial pro- grams, she says. The idea to produce Black Nativ- ity came to Thomas in October. "I knew I had performers, but I had no one to help with the advertising and business aspect of the production. I told everyone I knew in the commu- nity what I was doing and how much help I needed, I set up a meeting time for volunteers, then I just prayed." The response that Thomas re- ceived was overwhelming. "Every- one I had contacted had come, and even brought their friends," Thomas says. "I laid out the papers with the duty descriptions on them.Within a few minutes every piece of paper was gone." 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Aren't their story lines filled with obscure rhyming allusions to British life? Didn't this light operetta stuff go out with the ice capades and Donny and Marie ? But try to have some - patience, that is. Patience is a story about a { milkmaid named Patience who is pursued and courted by two See GILBERT Page 15 3A T-SHIR T PRINTING HIGH QUALITY LOW PRICES SINCE 1973 1002 PONTIAC TR. 994-1367 I I I% I I (w°its ad) I SOUP AND SANDWICH hI COMBO r-----------------------------------i 1 1 "where'd you get that card?" what card?" "that card!" 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