Shopping is one of the great holiday festivities, but there is also entertainment. One form of entertainment people may enjoy is the plethora of Christmas plays available. This year renowned playwright Barry Scott will be the leading actor in Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. Black Nativity will be performed at Manna From Heaven Dinner House, 3510 West Hamilton Ave. The opening performance will be on December 18 at 7 pm. Following performances will continue through December 24 at 7 pm.
Black Nativity is the story of a teenaged boy, Langston, from Baltimore who has to spend the holidays with his estranged relatives in New York. Langston was based on the poet, Langston Hughes, himself. He has no idea of his family history, because he was raised by his mother—a woman with many financial struggles.
When he learns of her struggles because of a notice of eviction, he has a great desire to help. But his mother sends him to spend the Christmas holiday with his minister grandfather, Rev. Cornell Cobbs, and his grandmother, Aretha Cobbs. It is there he learns of his family’s history.
Barry Scott is a successful actor, writer, producer, motivational speaker, lecturer and voiceover artist. Scott is a Nashville native and graduate of Tennessee State University with a degree in ‘speech communications and theatre.’ He is the founder and producing artistic director of The American Negro Playwright Theatre, the professional theatre in residence at TSU.
Scott will not only play the leading role as Langston, but he will also be directing.
“This is a serious and thoughtful performance that will touch the soul and pull at your heart,” said Sam Kirk, owner and founder of Youth About Business (YAB) and Manna From Heaven Dinner House. “We want to bring these types of plays to the Bordeaux area to show the diversity and professionalism that hails from our city.”
The public is invited to the Bordeaux Business Coalition meeting on December 18 at 5:30 pm. The play will follow at 7 pm, after the meeting and holiday celebration.
Black Nativity is a collaboration between Youth About Business and Manna From Heaven Dinner House as a part of its winter staging.
For more information, call (615) 891-1533.
