“Go Tell It on the Mountain, brings down the house”

Langston Hughes “Black Nativity,” opened this past weekend (December 1- 9, 2007) to a capacity enthusiastic crowd in Yeadon PA, Delaware County.

Evelyn Graves Drama Productions cleverly laid out a spectacular show that enriched the lives of theatre crowds to “wows’ and unstoppable audience member applauses from Baltimore, Maryland to Camden, New Jersey.

“Black Nativity,” has been a successful Christmas Classic since 1961 when it opened on Broadway, in New York later touring Europe. The Philadelphia cast of Evelyn Graves Drama Productions has been engaged in the classic since 1990 when opened at the Philadelphia Academy of Music featuring recording artist Annette Hardeman, Betty Griffin Kelly, Tamika Patton, Dorothy Newton and Dr Vernard Johnson. “Black Nativity,” finds its home at the Evelyn Graves Dinner/Theatre in Yeadon since 1992.

During Saturday’s opening Carroll Kelly of Philadelphia debuted with a smooth sultry melodic Gospel sound in “Joy to the World,” setting the tune for the rest of the musical which placed the audience on the edge of their seat throughout the show. Long time North Philadelphia resident Shirley Kinlaw in her mid fifties hit the stage like a zealous teenager placing the audience in a frenzy with the Classic song of “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” in the middle of the show. Kinlaw brought the house down as dancers flew across stage with choreography combinations that simply wowed the audience. Joyce Abbott of West Philadelphia states “the show is phenomenal.”

Artistic Director/Founder Evelyn Graves gives audiences a complete creative healing experience in the arts. A well-catered meal greets audiences with warm hospitality. Evelyn Graves Drama Productions is a non-profit theatre troupe that strongly promotes the cultural arts with over thirty years of performing traditions and education in the arts in Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware, nationally and internationally.

Black Nativity is a re-telling of the classic Nativity story with an entirely black cast. Traditional Christmas carols are sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. Originally written by Langston Hughes, the show was first performed on Broadway on December 11, 1961, and was one of the first plays written by an African-American to do so.

In some productions by various African American theater companies the show begins with the theater completely darkened. Barefoot singers clad only in white robes and carrying (electric) candles walk in, singing the classic hymn "Go Tell It on the Mountain". The birth of Jesus is one of the most dramatic aspects of the show. The stage, previously lit with orange and blue lights, is bathed in a deep red hue. Mary's contractions are echoed through the use of African drums and percussion. The Three Wise Men are typically played by prominent members of the black community in the neighboring area, and have no singing parts. The show closes with the chorus singing a reprise of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" as they walk out in darkness. A final soliloquy by a young child ends the performance.

The original name for this play was “Wasn’t It a Mighty Day?” Alvin Ailey was a part of the original Broadway cast.

For information and reservations for all performances put on by Evelyn Graves Drama Productions Click here.