On Friday night, Riverside Church was filled as a very receptive audience got the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent voices of incredible choirs and amazing singers, as they came to experience a slice of heaven on Earth when-for one night only-James Stovall’s “Nativity: A Life Story” was presented.
Stovall and Hattie Winston wrote this musical based on the Langston Hughes piece “Black Nativity.” It is the story of Christ’s birth, but told from Mary’s point of view. The audience heard of her life and journey, as she was destined to become the mother of Jesus Christ.
The story had been moving audiences for the 20 years it’s been produced, but it had not been seen for some years, and then Stovall passed away Sept. 26, 2010. The show’s co-producer Clarissa Sinceno said she was determined to get the show staged, especially since Stovall had given her a box that had all materials required to mount the production.
I’m sure Stovall was looking down and smiling Friday night as the performers sang with deep, emotional voices. Being in that audience felt like a blessing and made one’s spirit soar.
From the opening number, “Blessed Assurance,” your soul was lifted up, past the high ceilings in the church, and you could definitely get your church clap on.
“Lord I Want to Be a Christian,” delicately sung by Teresa Thomason and Natasha Diamond-Walker, was a touching, moving song. “Joseph’s Lament” was lovely as performed by Dwayne Grayman and Keon Thoulouis. “Mary Did You Know” received an interpretation filled with soul-stirring emotion by Damon Horton, Thoulouis, Nehemiah Spencer and Terrence Donzell Mitchell Diable.
In the romantic song “Love Is a Miracle,” Thomason (Mary) and Horton (Joseph) sang so beautifully; it’s marvelous to have a love song created that relates to a biblical event. “Most Done Traveling” was given a riveting performance by Alyson Williams and Grayman, whose voices were complemented by the visual beauty and lovely moves of talented young dancers.
What’s beautiful about this musical is that the songs are so perfectly sequenced. You can completely follow the story by listening to the words of each song. There was an emotional rollercoaster for Mary to go through, and the audience was along for the ride.
Tony Award winner Lillias White sang the heck out of “No Room,” which tells of the night when the Savior was to be born, but there was no place to stay. “O Jerusalem in the Morning” was a moving piece sung by Ebony Jo-Ann, Williams, White, Diamond-Walker, Cierra Cotton, Jordan A. Taylor and Iantha Richardson, backed up by the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble. “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow” was nicely done by Williams, Grayman, Thoulouis, Spencer and Diable. “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” was sung by Grayman and Williams, and as you listened you may have thought, “This is some beautiful, down-home music, and it’s all to God’s glory.”
“Have You Heard About the Baby” and “Jesus What a Wonderful Child” were two numbers that had opposite effects. Sung by Grayman, Eugene Palmore, Horton, Tim Huang, Marty Thomas, Sule Thomas and Antoine Bolberry, the first song reminded one of Negro spirituals; then the upbeat second number had heads swaying, feet tapping and hands clapping.
Priscilla Baskerville gave an amazing performance of “Behold the Star” with her phenomenal operatic voice. She had the packed audience on its feet and cheering. It was a blessed moment.
Jo-Ann had a raspy, passionate voice on “Ordinary People,” with event co-producer Sinceno. Sinceno also had a distinctive sound, and these two ladies managed to touch the hearts of the audience with their delivery of this delicate song.
Oh jubilation! The spirit of the celebration-of hearing Mary’s story and the joy of Christ’s birth-was experienced by the audience as Lillias White excitedly sang “Spread the Word.”
The cast members previously mentioned did an exceptional job and were joined throughout the evening by the Harlem Boys & Girls Alumni Choir and Grace Baptist Church Children’s Choir of Mount Vernon, in addition to a host of talented young dancers. “Nativity: A Life Story” was co-produced by Saint Christopher Wilkerson and had explosive choreography by Antonio Brown, La Michael Leonard and assistant I-Ling Liu. Joseph Joubert served as the musical director. Everyone involved with the production was excited to do it and hopes to continue to share Stovall’s message of Mary’s story, which is made for the Black community, as it normally features an entirely Black cast. The musical is filled with hope, love and honor to God.
The CD from the original cast, which featured Bebe Winans, Lillias White, Keith David, Phylicia Rashad, Freddie Jackson and Stephanie Mills, can be purchased for $15 including shipping and handling by visiting www.nativitycd.com. I hope this production is brought back next year, and for a few weekends at least, so people have a chance to see it.
Following the performance, several of those involved spoke with AmNews. Jo-Ann shared, “I wanted to be a part of it to honor James, the original producer, who created it with Hattie Winston. I’ve been doing the show for over 20 years. When Clarissa asked me to do it, I told her yes, a year ago.”
“I couldn’t wait to find out that we were going to continue the legacy,” said Williams. “I’ve been with the show for 10 years. I love this production-every type of vocal styling is represented.”
White was glad to recall, “James Stovall was my dear friend and inspirational to me. I want to keep his dream alive.”
Gwen Gilliam, one of the show’s original producers, was elated to share, “This musical was such a work of passion for James. I think that it has a deep spiritual meaning now that James isn’t here. It’s great he can be continued and we get the music and story out because it meant so much to him.”
The production was presented by CSong Inc., which that evening also presented the James Stovall Harlem Knights Un-Sung Hero Award to Bettye Franks Forbes and Bishop Nathaniel Townsley. “This award was given in recognition of their exemplary musical work ethic and tireless efforts in spiritually uplifting communities at large nationally and internationally. Their God-given gift to inspire, educate and empower lives has aided others to follow and be blessed,” said Sinceno.