Let's Talk: GMG Black Nativity & Gospel Music

Black Nativity, a gospel song-play based on a script by Langston Hughes originally titled, Wasn't That a Mighty Day, with music arranged by the show's stars, Marion Williams and Alex Bradford, was produced by Michael Santangelo and Barbara Griner. The show used two gospel singing groups: The Stars of Faith and the Bradford Singers and also starred Princess Stewart. It was directed by Vinnete Carroll and opened for a limited run on Broadway at the 41st St. Theatre in December 1961 to critical and popular acclaim. The original name for the Song-Play was "Wasn't It A Mighty Day?"  Langston Hughes was a well-known agnostic, however wrote about Black culture and practices.  He knew that in the Black culture the history of gospel and music was strong.  Langston combined Black  spirituality and religious traditions to demonstrate the Christmas Story from a Black person's view.  Using those tools combined he wanted to share the story of the birth of Jesus presenting in musically and using a gospel choir to portray the story. Much of the research done for this show was captured from various websites such as The New York Public Library, Dramatic Publishing Co. and A Study series presented by Congo Square Theater (Chicago, IL) documentation. •Please send me an email sharing your thoughts about this show segment also if you have any suggestions of future guests you would like to hear on the show. Send an email to [email protected] •What’s new is a Let’s Talk: Gospel Music Gold Radio Show on WMRM-DB Internet Radio station which comes on Saturday Mornings at 9:00AM CST