Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play

Congo Square Theatre Company brings their critically acclaimed production of Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play to the Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts. Mike Malone returns as director/choreographer for the third year in a row.

An annual holiday tradition in many cities, Black Nativity is a testament to the power of gospel music, telling the story of the Nativity through a combination of African American scripture, poetry, dance and song. Act I quotes directly from the Bible telling the story of Christ’s birth through dialogue in the black vernacular. Act II takes the audience to a prayer service where a gospel choir ensemble praises God through testimony and song. The Chicago Sun-Times calls Congo Square’s production a “joyful and cultural collage” and the Chicago Tribune hails it as “a lively, exuberant, accessible showcase… gloriously rich.”

Performances: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (12/26 only); Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (12/7 and 12/14 only); Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. (except for 12/2) and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. (6 p.m. on 12/3 only).