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Regional Reviews: Minneapolis/St. Paul Black Nativity Also see Arthur's review of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Their 2014 concert-version of Black Nativity is no doubt among the simplest of all. With the stage transformed by C. Lance Brockman's set into a rough-hewn church, we are in the midst of a service that tells, and in the telling celebrates, the simple tale so well known: a poor man and woman, finding the doors of every hostelry in Bethlehem closed to them, have their child born in a manger among straw and animals. This event inspires shepherds and kings to travel from afar to pay tribute to this child of humble birth who is destined to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. In this Black Nativity, none of the performers represent Joseph or Mary, the kings or the shepherds. Instead, the performers represent those who have inherited and been ignited by Christian faith, as filtered by the experience in slavery and struggle of the African-American community. A narrator reads the text, that role taken by Penumbra founder and Co-Artistic Director Lou Bellamy. A spirited choir opens the service: not performers acting the part of choir members, but the actual choir of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, under the direction of Yolande Bruce. Soloists Greta Oglesby and Dennis W. Spears perform most of the musical pieces with backing from the choir. Deborah Finney, a member of the choir, also steps out to offer a several featured songs. Lacking dance, with no enactment of the nativity itself, we have only the music to carry the evening. And carry—no, soar—it does. Greta Oglesby, a crown jewel among Twin Cities performers, sits through the songs she does not perform with a display of regal calm, even as her fellow soloist Dennis W. Spears is rising up, clapping, swaying and joining in the sparks flying off the gospel choir. But when Ms. Oglesby sings, she drops the shawl of serenity and pours her heart out into every song, increasing the intensity with each, until in her final number you can believe she is summoning the very heavens to descend and raise us aloft. Spears, for his part, if somewhat more suave in his delivery, bringing clarity and soul to each of his solos, and a particularly racing pulse to "The Little Drummer Boy." Yolande Bruce and Deborah Finney make solid and spirited contributions in their solos. As a choir conductor, Ms. Bruce is mesmerizing. Her movements display both strength and precision. Watching her gestures, you can tell exactly what the choir is being led to do and how they are to do it, and they deliver in force. Only Lou Bellamy remains sedate throughout the evening, his narration emphatic, but not drawing forth passion until the closing lines. The band, led my Musical Director Sanford Moore, add to the event with expert musicianship, blending jazz, soul, gospel and blues played on piano, organ, bass, guitar and percussion, with solos accentuating the emotional power of several numbers. Grant E. Merges' lighting design adds focus to the performances. When, near the end, the entire theater is set aglow in a cyclorama of stars, it matches the power of the music. Since 1961, when it first appeared in New York as an Off-Broadway production, Black Nativity has become a holiday staple in cities across the country, and has toured Europe. It has been said that no two productions are likely to be completely alike, in large part due to Hughes' decision to leave the choice of music inserted into the text up to each production. It is also a function of regional theaters' desire to make the show feel new each year in order to draw repeat audiences. What is likely to remain the same is the message of love and redemption springing forth from poverty and humility, and of raising the wings of faith that, in spite of life's hardships, has kept us aloft. Anyone in need of such a lift could hardly do better than to experience the passion and joy of this Black Nativity. Black Nativity continues through December 21, 2014, at Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, MN. Tickets are $30.00, $25 for seniors and $15 students with valid IDs. Dinner packages are available. For tickets call 651-224-3180 or go to www.penumbratheatre.org. Writer: Langston Hughes; Director: Lou Bellamy; Musical Direction: Sanford Moore; Scenic Designer: C. Lance Brockman; Lighting Designer: Grant E. Merges; Stage Manager: Mary Kay Winchell. Cast: Lou Bellamy (Narrator), Yolande Bruce (Choir Director), Deborah Finney (Choir, Soloist), Greta Oglesby (Soloist), Dennis W. Spears (Soloist). Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir: Amiri Brotherson, John Carter, Deborah Finney Susie Harris, Brandon Jackson, Heather McElrath, Vivian Moore, Linda Sloan, Willie Taylor Sr. Band: Lee Gatlin (organ), Steve Jennings (percussion), Geoff LeCrone (guitar), Sanford Moore (piano), Jay Young III (bass).
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