178:. The closing number is "Spread the Word", described as "a rollicking gospel chorale" that had "the audience was on its feet and roaring as though a rock concert was ending" serving as "a fitting conclusion to this grandly spirited and wholly contemporary show, whose creators have persevered with a faith of their own".
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A 2003 review recognized the "powerful singing voices" and "dance that delivers the goose bumps", but said that "the production values are reminiscent of an elementary-school pageant, rickety scenery and all". Two performances of
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hymn "Behold the Star" was led by
Priscilla Baskerville together with the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. Narration was provided by
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Created in the mid-1990s, performances were held in a variety of auditoriums in New York City. In 2001, the musical was performed at
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having contract clauses written into their agreements to perform elsewhere guaranteeing that they would be allowed to perform in
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featured a cast accompanied by three choirs and a company that totaled 125 performers. Several of the performers had appeared in
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called it "a quirky combination of spiritual fervor, showbiz glamour, African-American pride and a celebration of women".
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142:. White, who performed the spiritual "No Room" said that "This is something I absolutely have to do every year".
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announced at the time that the United Palace would be the musical's permanent home. The show was created by
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101:. The show's producers planned for the show to become an annual tradition to rival the
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154:'s "Love Is a Miracle". The song "Have You Heard About the Baby" was performed by an
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295:"Nativity: A Life Story in Concert — with Lillias White — Presented Dec. 10 and 11"
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since its inception in the mid-1990s. The performances have been sponsored by the
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that provides seating for 3,500 for the three performances presented that year.
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and the United
Christian Evangelistic Association located at 175th Street and
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276:"THEATER IN REVIEW; Old Story, New Perspective And Wordless Goose Bumps"
265:, Broadway.com, September 27, 2010. Accessed September 29, 2010.
225:"CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; The Nativity, Now Chasing The Rockettes"
263:"Broadway Musical Vet James Stovall Dies on September 25"
244:"Baltimore native to direct an all-star 'Black Nativity'
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first performed in 1961, was a major inspiration for
186:were presented in December 2006 at the nightclub
303:, December 10, 2006. Accessed October 4, 2010.
284:, December 11, 2003. Accessed October 4, 2010.
42:Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
233:, December 9, 2002. Accessed October 4, 2010.
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28:-themed musical based on the
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122:The 2002 production of
330:African-American music
150:as Mary did a duet of
18:Nativity: A Life Story
107:Radio City Music Hall
63:United Palace Theater
61:found a home at the
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164:William L. Dawson's
65:, a venue owned by
320:Christmas musicals
281:The New York Times
274:Genzlinger, Neil.
230:The New York Times
47:The New York Times
112:A Christmas Carol
44:. Bruce Weber of
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67:Reverend Ike
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172:Keith David
162:. Composer
144:BeBe Winans
32:written by
314:Categories
202:References
156:a cappella
188:Joe's Pub
26:Christmas
300:Playbill
184:Nativity
140:Nativity
128:Nativity
124:Nativity
99:Nativity
71:Broadway
59:Nativity
261:Staff.
115:at the
21:is an
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