Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes' Black Nativity returns to San Francisco's Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Nov. 27-Dec. 23. Stanley E. Williams directs the musical event, featuring award-wining gospel artist Arvis Strickling Jones.

Black Nativity is a mix of Hughes' poetry, gospel songs and the traditional nativity story. Hughes wrote Nativity in 1961 to bring the African-American experience to Christmas celebrations. Playwright Hansberry, for whom the San Francisco venue is named, used a line from Hughes famous poem "Harlem: Montage on a Dream Deferred" for her best known work, A Raisin in the Sun.

Williams is co-founder and artistic director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. A three-time Grammy nominee, Jones has recorded five albums and appeared on stage in The Amen Corner, Gethsemane Park, Your Arms Too Short to Box With God and Tambourines to Glory.

She also serves as musical director. Ronnie Reddick, director of the City Slam dance team, choreographs.

Tickets are $22-$30. The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre is located at 620 Sutter Street at Mason. For reservations, call (415) 474-8800. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre is on the web at http://www.lorrainehansberrytheatre.com. — By Christine Ehren