Penumbra Theatre's 'Black Nativity' shines brighter than ever, infusing the classic Christmas show with an electrifying energy that will leave even the most skeptical audience members feeling uplifted. This 33rd iteration of Langston Hughes' adaptation combines powerful performances, masterful musicianship, and innovative choreography to create a truly unforgettable experience.
The production's structure is reminiscent of a concert, with six female vocalists, a five-piece band, and soloists Greta Oglesby and Dennis Spears delivering breathtaking renditions of traditional Christmas carols. The blend of jazz, gospel, and blues influences creates a unique sound that transcends the traditional boundaries of holiday music.
One can't help but draw parallels between this production and another Twin Cities group from the 1980s: Moore by Four. Sanford Moore's leadership in the vocal quartet was evident in Spears' performance here, showcasing his remarkable adaptability to shift seamlessly from jazz standards to gospel-infused ballads.
Throughout the show, the dancers MerSadies McCoy and Albert "Coco" Conteh shine with their exuberant choreography, courtesy of Marciano Silva dos Santos. Jennifer Whitlock's impassioned narration adds depth to the narrative, while music director Sanford Moore weaves traditional styles together in innovative ways, ranging from Louisiana swamp pop to slow-burning funk.
This 'Black Nativity' is a testament to the power of theatre to bring people together and inspire spiritual renewal. Whether you're a die-hard holiday enthusiast or simply looking for a heartwarming experience, Penumbra Theatre's production is an absolute must-see this season.
The production's structure is reminiscent of a concert, with six female vocalists, a five-piece band, and soloists Greta Oglesby and Dennis Spears delivering breathtaking renditions of traditional Christmas carols. The blend of jazz, gospel, and blues influences creates a unique sound that transcends the traditional boundaries of holiday music.
One can't help but draw parallels between this production and another Twin Cities group from the 1980s: Moore by Four. Sanford Moore's leadership in the vocal quartet was evident in Spears' performance here, showcasing his remarkable adaptability to shift seamlessly from jazz standards to gospel-infused ballads.
Throughout the show, the dancers MerSadies McCoy and Albert "Coco" Conteh shine with their exuberant choreography, courtesy of Marciano Silva dos Santos. Jennifer Whitlock's impassioned narration adds depth to the narrative, while music director Sanford Moore weaves traditional styles together in innovative ways, ranging from Louisiana swamp pop to slow-burning funk.
This 'Black Nativity' is a testament to the power of theatre to bring people together and inspire spiritual renewal. Whether you're a die-hard holiday enthusiast or simply looking for a heartwarming experience, Penumbra Theatre's production is an absolute must-see this season.
! I'm dying to see it live now! the fact that they're using jazz, gospel, and blues influences in their music sounds soooo cool 
i love how they're blending traditional styles together like Jennifer Whitlock's narration adds such depth to the story. and can we talk about Greta Oglesby and Dennis Spears' performances? i've seen Moore by Four before and it's amazing to see Sanford Moore bring that same energy to this production 
anyone else planning to catch this show?
. Moore by Four was fire, and it's awesome to see a similar energy from Penumbra Theatre's production. The jazz, gospel, and blues sound is so infectious – I'm totally getting into the holiday spirit now! 
! I know I'm still reeling from it, even though it was a few days ago... my mind is still on repeat of that powerful performance by Dennis Spears 
he's like a total rockstar up there! And can we talk about the dancers? 
MerSadies McCoy and Albert "Coco" Conteh were EVERYTHING 
. Seriously though, it's just such a beautiful show that brings people together... I need to go see it again ASAP 
IT WAS SO POWERFUL AND ELECTRIFYING! I LOVED HOW THEY MIXED ALL THESE DIFFERENT GENRES LIKE JAZZ, GOSPEL, AND BLUES TO CREATE THIS UNIQUE SOUND THAT REALLY MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING. THE CHOREOGRAPHY WAS AMAZING TOO, ESPECIALLY WITH MERSAIDIES MCCOY AND ALBERT "COCO" CONTEH - THEY WERE SO ENERGETIC AND FUN TO WATCH!!! 
And those dancers MerSadies McCoy and Albert "Coco" Conteh? WERK it out like nobody's watching! 
i mean, who doesn't love a good mix of jazz, gospel, and blues influences to get those holiday vibes going? 
his leadership in music direction and adaptability as a soloist or vocalist is truly inspiring, especially when you see him effortlessly shift between styles. it's not just the music that's electric, but the whole production feels like one big concert 
. But what really got me was how the show brought this classic story to life in a way that felt fresh and relevant for today's audience. It's just one of those nights where you leave feeling uplifted and inspired 
. Definitely a must-see if you haven't already 
. What really stood out to me was the way the performers weaved together traditional styles to create something entirely new and exciting 
. I mean, who says Christmas music has to be cheesy or boring? Not this production! The dancers were on fire 
. Overall, it was a truly unforgettable experience that left me feeling uplifted and inspired 
overall, it's such a great reminder that theatre can bring people together & inspire us in more ways than one 
. I love how they incorporated traditional styles with modern vibes - it's so refreshing to see theatre pushing boundaries like this. The performances are also top-notch, especially Dennis Spears' vocals - he's got some serious pipes 
and I gotta say, it sounds like they're really killing the game this year! The way they've infused Langston Hughes' classic show with some serious energy is giving me life