A star-studded cast led by Stephanie Mills, Bebe Winans, Phylicia Rashad and Tony Award winner Lillias (The Life) White will offer three performances of Nativity: A Life Story on Dec. 6 and 7. A retelling of the Biblical Christmas story with African-American music and dance, Nativity: A Life Story is based on the Langston Hughes classic, Black Nativity. The production will also include performances from Keith David, Freddie Jackson, Ebony Jo-Ann, Denise Burse-Fernandez, Alyson Williams, Priscilla Baskerville and George Faison. Also taking part in the event are The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, directed by Bettye F. Forbes; The Broadway Inspiration Voices, directed by Michael McElroy; and The Christ United Church Youth-in-Action Chorus.
James Stovall — of Broadway's Ragtime and The Life — penned the holiday concert with CBS-TV's "Becker" co-star Hattie Winston. The evenings will feature direction by Stovall and choreography from Shirley Black Brown Coward. Harold Wheeler has arranged and orchestrated the show's music, and Shelton Becton is musical director.
Nativity: A Life Story, presented by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, will be mounted at The United Palace Theatre, which is located in New York City at 175th Street and Broadway. Show times are Dec. 6 at 8 PM and Dec. 7 at 3 PM and 8 PM. Tickets, ranging from $25 to $50, may be purchased by calling (212) 491-2206 (from 11 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday).
