About 38 young people had roles in the 2011 production of "Black Nativity," which opened Friday at the McGlohon Theater in uptown Charlotte, said the show's producer, Monica Pettiford. Repeat performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. (Photo: Glenn Burkins for Qcitymetro.com)
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As a youth growing up in Greensboro, Christmas for Monica Pettiford often included a trip to see the play “Black Nativity” performed on the campus of N.C. A&T State University.

Now a resident of Charlotte with a fledgling production company, Pettiford wants to embed that holiday tradition into the ethos of Qcity culture – but with a slight twist.

On Friday, for the fifth straight year, her Porch Productions raised the curtains on “Black Nativity” with an all-youth cast that added an endearing flavor to the Langston Hughes classic, which recounts the birth of Jesus as told in the gospel of Luke.

The play opens with liturgical dance and a pint-size Mary (Trinity Simmons) and Joseph (Eloid “Trey” Washington) desperately searching for a place to bed down for the night. Rejected by a dismissive innkeeper, the couple is forced to…well…you know the story.

One of the most stirring scenes occurs as the couple huddles center stage and the audience is treated to a rendition of the Donnie McClurkin gospel hit “Stand,” performed by the Porch Youth Ensemble. Comic relief arrives a bit later by way of four tiny shepherds who, reciting Hough’s original script, perform what sounds more like a modern-day rap.

Pettiford said she includes children and young people in all of her work with Porch Productions, as she did earlier this year when a similar group performed “The Wiz.”

"I believe in the future of our young people, and I now that investing in them through this, which is the arts, gives them confidence that is priceless,” she said after the show. “If they are confident, then they can handle what life is going to give them.”

Pettiford said she was pleased with the opening-night crowd but would like to see larger audiences – this year and going forward.

“What I really want to do is make this a tradition, like when people plan yearly to buy tickets to 'The Nutcracker,'” she said. “In our community, this has to become our tradition. Put it on your calendar every year, because we’re going to be here. I’m committed.”

IF YOU WANT TO GO:
“Black Nativity will be performed Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square (345 North College Street).

Ticket are $10 for youth (ages 3-17); $12 for seniors (65+); and $17 for adult general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the Blumenthal box office (130 North Tryon St.) by telephone (704-372-1000) or by going online at www.carolinatix.org.

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