Alfred Preisser and Tracy Jack's BLACK NATIVITY NOW Off Broadway

Lia Chang Photo and Video Feature: Alfred Preisser and Tracy Jack's Off-Broadway Production of BLACK NATIVITY NOW, with musical direction and original compositions by Kelvyn Bell
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Alfred Preisser and Tracy Jack's holiday gospel pageant BLACK NATIVITY NOW, starring two-time Emmy Award winning actor Nikkieli DeMone ("Bad Street", "In The Eyes Of God", Miss Saigon, Rent, Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sideshow), and featuring Jeff Bolding (Great Men of Gospel), Jarvis Manning Jr., Breanna Bartley, Naja Jack, Melanie Charles, Tracy Jack (Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory, Best of Both Worlds, ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE), Vincent Leggett, Brittney Mack, Amma Osei and Stephen Scott Wormley, had a five week limited run, Off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street in New York City from December 3, 2010 - January 2, 2011.

During BLACK NATIVITY NOW's Off-Broadway run, audience members and the BLACK NATIVITY NOW producers contributed money to in the form of "offerings" collected after the show for several different New York charities, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, the Salvation Army Zimbabwe Orphanage Project and the Sports in Arts and Schools Foundation.

BLACK NATIVITY NOW features an original score and musical direction by Kelvyn Bell, choreography by Tracy Jack and direction by Alfred Preisser, and is produced by Jeffrey Glaser, Christopher McElroen, Alfred Preisser, Dana Watkins, Kingsize-USA & 9One Productions. Check out www.BlackNativityOffBroadway.com for the information on future productions.

Below are excerpts of reviews from The New Yorker, The New York Post and Show Business.

THE NEW YORKER
Goings On About Town: The Theatre
Black Nativity Now
Review by Rollo Romig
At the beginning of this dazzling show, a musician (Kelvyn Bell, who composed the original score) steps onstage with an electric guitar and describes the church of his youth, built on the muddy ground of Buckwater, Missouri. "I just wanted to share some of the love, and some of the mud," he explains, launching into the gospel standard "Up Above My Head." There's a lot more love and mud to come: for the next eighty minutes, the ensemble just keeps topping itself in a blend of modern-dress nativity story, rousing revival meeting, and, most of all, first-rate soul-gospel revue. Alfred Preisser, director and co-writer (with Tracy Jack), lends wit and vitality to the tropes of each of these forms; it's a rare pageant that delivers this much warmth, energy, and depth of feeling.

The New York Post
The gospel truth is, it's entertaining
Review by Frank Scheck
A series of rousing musical numbers accompanies the story of Joseph (Jarvis B. Manning Jr.) and the heavily pregnant Mary (Breanna Bartley) -- whose condition doesn't prevent her from breaking out some serious dance moves -- as they make their way to the manger.
Much of the fun stems from the unorthodox depictions of the classic biblical characters, from the hipster, sunglasses-wearing shepherds to the Afro-haired, platform-shoed Three Wise Men.

Show Business Weekly
Black Nativity Now
Review by Ethan Kanfer
Replete with an infectious energy and a dazzling display of musical talent, Black Nativity Now manages to strike a perfect balance. It is sentimental without being cloying, and deeply spiritual without being preachy.

Co-writers Alfred Preisser and Tracy Jack have set their holiday gospel pageant in a present day urban setting that could be the city where you live, to tell the story of the birth of Christ from a fresh and wholly original perspective. This contemporary setting provides a heartfelt reference point for an evening of exuberant music and dance that celebrates humanity's need for hope and grace.

BLACK NATIVITY NOW unfolds within an intimate and passionate church presided over by a pastor, played by Nikkieli DeMone, who is also an ordained Bishop, heavily influenced by Broadway show-biz.

Supported by a choir of singers and dancers who perform musical sets infused with gospel, pop, funk, and soul, BLACK NATIVITY NOW is the universal story of mankind's search for salvation and "peace on earth." Appropriate for all ages, and perfect for everyone who loves music, dance and the holiday season.

BLACK NATIVITY NOW has set design by Evan Collier, costume design by Mia Bienovich, lighting design by Kate Ashton, sound design by Janie Bullard, musical direction and guitar by Kelvyn Bell, David "Red" Harrington on bass, Chris Eddelton on drums, stage management by Katie Hong and press by Lia Chang.

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• BLACK NATIVITY NOW
• Alfred Preisser
• Tracy Jack
• Nikkieli Demone
• Gospel
• New York
• Musical
• Kelvyn Bell
• Lia Chang
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• Backstage Pass with lia chang
• Jeff
• Bolding
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