Reimagine Black Nativity through spoken word

The holiday season is a time of tradition, celebration, and storytelling. Nothing captures the season’s spirit quite like the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company’s (CBTC) reimagining of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. This year’s production, titled Black Nativity: Yesterday, Today, and Forever in Spoken Word, promises to deliver an unforgettable experience that bridges the past, present, and future through the unique power of poetry, music, and performance.When I spoke with Donald Sherman, Creative Director and Executive Producer of CBTC, I was struck by his passion for preserving and innovating the legacy of Black Nativity. “This isn’t just a play; it’s a celebration of our culture, faith, and resilience,” he told me. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn’t wait to hear more about how this year’s production would stand apart.As Sherman explained, this year’s version of Black Nativity incorporates spoken word—a contemporary art form that evokes emotion and relevance to Hughes’ timeless story. “The tagline, ‘Yesterday, Today, and Forever,’ reflects our goal of connecting the historical roots of this story to the struggles and triumphs of today’s world. Spoken word is the perfect medium to make that connection come alive,” he said.The play tells the nativity story through the lens of African-American...