Watch Genesis Theatre Company bring the story of Jesus’ birth to the stage in the production “Black Nativity” Dec. 18 through 20 at Footlite Musicals, 1847 N. Alabama St. Tickets are $10.
The local theater company, which focuses on clean Christian fellowship entertainment, has taken playwright Langston Hughes’ classic Christmas tale based on the Book of Luke — “Black Nativity” — and mixed in their ideas to bring a one-of-a-kind play to audiences.
The Recorder recently sat down with Genesis Theatre Company’s Executive Director and director of “Black Nativity” Sherri Brown-Webster to discuss the origins of the company, what makes their interpretation of “Black Nativity” special and what’s next for the company.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: Tell us what Genesis Theatre Company is all about.
Brown-Webster: The Genesis Theatre Company was started about 15 years ago and based in part because we realized many of the theaters and theater troupes were not really catering to the Christian audience. We specialize in bringing to life biblical stories. Not that they’re dead; we make them more visible for the stage.
How do you translate the Bible into plays?
We write straight from the Bible. We’ll take the book, read it, read it, and adapt a play from that. Sometimes you have to add in your own work, which is called filler, but I make sure what I add lines up with the Bible, not something I make up. We stick with the Word and follow the outline of the story.
Soon we’ll be focusing on Queen Esther, and it’s called “Queen Esther: A Fearless Shero.” It’s already written and it’s a musical. The lyrics are original, but we’ve taken some old gospel songs and changed the words to go with the story.
Why is bringing the Bible to the stage important to you and those in the theater company?
It’s important we don’t forget the Bible. We take it to church on Sundays, we’ll visit it midweek for Bible study, but it’s so important these stories are revisited and they stay in the forefront of our minds. This is the Bible. As Christians, we’ll see different plays, but not many are catering to what we stand on and our beliefs.
Keep in mind, we don’t take plays and make them modern. We keep them as they are, so they are in biblical dress. But for “Black Nativity,” we are in African attire for the first act. And this is because the past few years, I’ve related more to the Mandinga in me. I haven’t nailed it, but I’m seeing more of the strength, what I’m made up of. When I see that strength, it shifts me back to the Mother Land. I wanted to incorporate that into the play.
Tell me more about your upcoming play “Black Nativity.”
“Black Nativity” is the retelling of the Christmas story based off the Book of Luke from the pen of Langston Hughes. We try to do one show a year where we honor another author. We really liked Hughes’ work with this. “Black Nativity” is infused with poetry, music and dance. In some versions, they’ll keep Mary and Joseph as mutes, but I don’t see them as mutes. I hear them saying their lines. “Black Nativity” is a strong show.
Again, in the first act, we go back to Africa and use a bit of griot style in the dialogue. The second act, we go to the 1950s and ’60s, because that’s when Hughes wrote this.
Who are the key characters you want to highlight?
The key characters are really the entire cast. We have Mary and Joseph, but we also have these village people who follow Mary and Joseph throughout their journey. They tell the story through song and dance. We typically use professional actors, but for “Black Nativity,” our cast is community-based. This show is for the community, so be sure to bring your kids.
With all of the Christmas shows around, why should people come to see “Black Nativity?”
It is one of few shows that is really telling and sharing the true meaning of Christmas. I’m not knocking other shows out there, but if you’re speaking about the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ, if you’re talking about the reason for the season, this show nails it. Some people have made this a family tradition, so we urge people to come and make this a part of their annual celebrations.
What’s next for Genesis Theatre Company?
Next for us is a show called “Oh, Zion,” which is a musical tribute to women in the Bible, then “Queen Esther.”
I’ll be a guest director for Pink Poodle Productions for a show called “Intimate Apparel.”
We own Pink Poodle Productions and with this, we’ll do good shows, but they are not so biblically connected. It’s nothing with cursing or vulgar — we’re always trying to reach the lost. In there somewhere will be something that will open the lost’s minds.
In addition to coming to the plays, how can people support Genesis Theatre Company?
They can go to our website at GenesisTheatreCompany.com. Right now we don’t have a donate button, but we’d like it if people would support us. They can come to our shows or contact us if they’d like to give.
For more information, call (317) 294-557 or visit GenesisTheatreCompany.com.
Get your tickets today!
Back by popular demand is “Black Nativity” by Langston Hughes, presented by the Genesis Theatre Company. “Black Nativity” is the retelling of the Christmas story with rousing gospel music, poetry and dance.
Come see some of Indy’s finest talent as they sing your heart merry this holiday season.
Tickets are available by calling (317) 294-5577 or by visiting BrownPaperTickets.com.
When: Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
Where: Footlite Musicals Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
Cost: $10
