MILWAUKEE — Black Arts MKE’s holiday musical “Black Nativity by Langston Hughes” is returning for its seventh year.
The original 1961 show incorporates poetry, music and dance from the African diaspora with an all-Black, Milwaukee area-based cast.
Camara Stampley is a cast member. She said the original nativity story was one of her favorites growing up and getting to take the stage is empowering.
“So many times getting into theatre in the city can look like being the only person of color in a space,” said Stampley. “This is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate to talent that we do have with all of the Black talent in Milwaukee.”
Stampley wants others to feel inspired by this show. “I’m hoping people see themselves and that they see the story of Jesus is for everybody,” she said.
Erica Cherie is playing the lead role of Mary this year. She said their take on the nativity story is all about representing culture.
“It’s like the regular nativity story, with a little seasoning salt on it,” said Cherie.
She said other people that may rarely get the chance to see Black people on stage.
“They can come see us in a very beautiful light, creating art together,” she said.
Her co-star, Brian Crawford, is playing Joseph. He said he’s excited to work with such talented people in the city.
“You don’t see a lot of our skin color represented on stages,” said Crawford. “Getting that opportunity to be able to put on a show of such magnitude with all these beautiful melanated people just shows there’s more to us than society may always see.”
The musical will be directed for the second year by Dimonte Henning. Henning’s newest rendition encourages theatergoers to continue to have faith and celebrate resiliency.
“This play is about triumph over tragedy,” said Henning. “Black people in Milwaukee have had to overcome a lot, especially in the past two years, but we are still here and persevere because of the birth of Jesus Christ, and that is something to celebrate.”
“Black Nativity by Langston Hughes” runs Dec. 8-11 at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall in the Marcus Center.
For more information and tickets, click here.