WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

Written, directed and choreographed by Mabel P. Robinson, “Nativity According to the Gospels” opened on the weekend of Dec. 6-8, and it received a standing ovation by more than 125 people who attended. The production will continue during the weekend of Dec. 13-15 in the Gallery Theater at the Intergenerational Center for the Arts and Wellness. This year Nativity was produced by the 40+ Stage Company. The theater is located at 114 West 30th Street in Winston-Salem. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14, and the matinees will open at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.intothearts.org or by calling 336=722-2585 or 336-747-1414.

Although this family-friendly production tells the story of the birth of Christ, it flows with dynamic energy in the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. Dr. W. E. B DuBois, whose scholarship fueled this cultural outpouring, would be elated with the West African motif of Act I, using African dance and drums, gospel music, ballet and other dance styles, spoken word and hip-hop cadences to tell the old, old story.

Director Mabel Robinson chose to write the play from a grandmother’s point of view.

“I allowed several characters to share in the narration, but I used the grandmother’s point of view mostly because I was very close to my grandmother. I wanted to let it be from her viewpoint because this is the anniversary of her passing,” said Robinson. “I guess I was feeling the need to be very nostalgic. However, she shares the narration of the story with the angel, the shepherd and the innkeeper.”

Many were surprised that the North Carolina Black Repertory Company was not presenting The Nativity.

“This is one of our signature pieces, and when I discovered that the Black Rep was not doing the show this year and we were gifted with the invitation from board chair Corlis Sellers to perform it, we accepted the invitation,” said Robinson. “This show helps the community come together for the holidays. It brings children, grandchildren, parents, friends, and relatives in an intergenerational way.”

Michelle Cook, who has attended the production for several years, was pleased to find out that the show would go on this year. “I am so glad that Director Robinson decided to carry on this tradition,” said Cook. “It was so good! Now I feel like I can start my holiday.”

The production opened with Zakiyyah Niang leading the cast in the singing of “Tell Me a Story,” a new cut that Pastor John P. Kee allowed musical director Tony D. Gillion to use for the production. “Tell me a story about Baby Jesus. Tell me a story about the Savior,” they sang.

Grandma (Darica Waller), the narrator, came with a crew of grandchildren who not only asked for a story, but participated in singing the story, dancing the good news and worshipping in the sanctuary of Act II. Her three grandchildren were portrayed by Brian Austin Cager (the son of Brian Cager, who portrays the shepherd), Imani Quoi, and Nia Quoi.

The pastor of the church in Act II, Kristyn Daney, invited the family into the sanctuary and allowed them to help pump up the spirit during the medley of songs. Daney boomed the church choir into the sanctuary in Act II by belting out “Come Go with Me to My Father’s House.” Together, the children sang “Mary Had a Little Lamb” with sweet overtones of spiritual magic. Christian Anderson had the crowd clapping along as she delivered the song “Jesus” with delicious power. Joshua Greer and Bethany Heath showered the audience with a dazzling duet of “Jesus, You’re the Center of My Joy.” Heath also caused a stir with her rendition of “Ordinary People,” while Zakiyyah Niang championed “Away in the Manger.”

The dancers brought such dignity and precision to the stage. They include Aaliyah Hairston and Wayne Jones, who played the roles of Virgin Mary and Joseph. The other dancers included I’zaah Gray-Jones, Cherryn Wilder, and Dezmon Woods.  Also, the Pit Singers brought so much support and vocal variety to the musical landscape. They included Lashonda Redd, Kiera Whitaker, and Ahmad Rashad Johnson.

Mabel Robinson was nostalgic about the production for many reasons which gave her extreme joy. “As I watch ‘Nativity According to the Gospels’ forge onward, this time in a new venue, with new generations and a new theatre company, for the first time in a 20-plus years’ run, I wonder if the creators of Black Nativity 1961 ever imagined their youngest cast member who portrayed the role of the Virgin Mary would preserve and build brilliantly on their vision 60-plus years later with a group of brilliant local artists of Winston Salem,” Robinson said.