Theatre Horizon's 'Black Nativity'

Freedom, a North Philly institution, no longer produces professionally. Theatre Horizon, now in its 11th season and firmly established in Norristown, is not a black theatre, but like a few of the larger regional theaters (the Arden, People's Light & Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and The Wilma) regularly employs black artists, such as last season's In the Blood (seven Barrymore nominations).

An intimate manger scene

Black Nativity, as directed by Ozzie Jones (who staged Freedom's 1995 production), adapts Hughes's 1961 holiday piece for Horizon's intimate stage and a small ensemble (the original production used 160 singers; Horizon features a cast of 10, plus guest choirs for some performances). The show's first act loosely tells the Christmas story, with Sanchel Brown and Kingsley Ibeneche as young, frightened Mary and Joseph. Angelica Jackson narrates with a lilting African accent, Will Brock III shines as a young shepherd — and everybody dances.

Will Brock's small band pounds out an infectious rhythm, so that traditional carols like "Joy to the World" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" become rousing ensemble performances, choreographed by Jenn Rose. With Janus Stefanowicz's brightly patterned costumes and Brian Dudkiewicz's colorful set, the whole first act is a brilliant, joyous celebration.

A child is born in New Orleans

After intermission, Jones and company take some liberties, updating to a Katrina-destroyed New Orleans church where the story plays out again in modern times. Sections of the set come together like puzzle pieces to create a nativity scene. Celebration comes harder: These are not mythic figures but ordinary folks, traumatized by a natural disaster. The costumes are mainly black, which unfortunately means that most of the cast look like they're going to the gym, not rebuilding after a flood. It's a bold concept but doesn't fully succeed.

But then the band takes over, everyone dances and sings, and we're swept away by their hard-earned joy. In the most important spiritual ways, Black Nativity succeeds as a Christmas show. Others provide Santa Claus magic and Ebenezer Scrooge moralizing; Black Nativity reveals the origin story's essential elements with an Afrocentric beat and no pious preaching. The audience is encouraged to clap, sing, and call out, and even invited on stage to dance — and the invitation is sincere.

Demand for tickets caused Theatre Horizon to extend the show's run to December 13. They're doing great work, but Black Nativity made me wonder: Where's Philadelphia's black theater company?