(Posted December 2, 2006)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The reason for the season is powerfully captured in the music, dance and words of Amun Ra Theatre's SHO' 'NUFF NATIVITY: A Gospel Musical Play.

jeff obafemi carr doesn't capitalize his name as a self-reminder to stay humble. Those of us who watch this show are humbled by the extraordinary work he and an ensemble of gifted actors, singers and dancers bring to the stage of Tennessee State University's Thomas E. Poag Theater. It's truly a blessing our loudest applause can never hope to repay.

Amun Ra has performed versions of Langston Hughes' BLACK NATIVITY in past years (click here for my review of their 2004 show). This year, carr decided that while Hughes would still be the group's dramatic inspiration, the perspiration to forge a new work would be theirs. SHO' 'NUFF NATIVITY is the resounding result.

Like Hughes' work, the first act explores the coming of Jesus while the second takes us to a present-day church where witnessing and singing for Christ create a truly joyful noise unto the Lord.

But the words are by carr and the music, with the exception of traditional hymns like "Hold On" and "It is Well With My Soul," is written by carr, Alex Stadaker, melvin "Maestro" lightford and Riley Baxter, III.

The show starts in heaven as an angelic chorus sings "In the Beginning" while Gabriel (carr) blows his horn to signal the start of man's journey. The story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus is freshly told, mixing references to modern life (such as in carr's "No Room at the Inn" number where the innkeeper's wife played by Shonka Dukureh turns the due-to-deliver Mary away by saying, "We don't have insurance for that") with Biblical scripture.  The first act then ends with the rousing mix "Oh Holy Night/Oh Come."

The second act is a revival where love for He that came so we might "have life and have it more abundantly" is powerfully presented from the start with a beautiful dance to an instrumental version of "Amazing Grace." One of the highlights comes when Brandon Singleton, Todd Suttles, Bill Lee and Craig Robinson combine on a very hip a capella version of "Blessed Assurance." The evening ends on a high with Kenetha Rogers and castmates energetically praising God with "Holy, Holy, Holy" while artist LaRhonda Angelisa stands upstage center painting hands in prayer.

The entire cast deserves praise for their performances - vocally and otherwise, they're all superb (a complete list of this show's performing artists follows this review). The same is true for the powerfully graceful dancing choreographed for adults by Dr. Peter A. Fields and children by Delali A. Potakey as well as the first-rate musicians conducted by Baxter.

Other elements are also top-notch. Jenise Smith's costumes and Scott Leathers' lighting design beautifully adorn this piece, which occurs on a stage backed with raised platforms for singers and actors.

carr and Amun Ra Theatre are, to borrow from the troupe's motto, pledged to exposing the hidden light.  That light shines so brightly in SHO' 'NUFF NATIVITY that I feel, and hope, it will greatly illuminate not only this but many Christmases yet to come for those fortunate enough to see it.

To See The Show…

SHO' 'NUFF NATIVITY ran through Dec. 3. For more information, visit Amun Ra Theatre's website at www.theamunratheatre.org or the show's website at www.shonuffnativity.com.

PERFORMING ARTISTS –

The ART Players:

Stefanie Adkerson, jeff obafemi carr, Bobby Daniels, Shonka Dukureh, Princess Ivori, Bill Lee, Michael "Diallo" McClendon, Charles McCutcheon, Alicia Ridley, Craig Robinson, Elliott Robinson, Kenetha Rogers, Brandon Singleton, Rodrikus Springfield, Todd Suttles

Performing ARTs Academy Youth:

Faythe Bradshaw, Jumoke Carr, Micala Clow, Nicolas Dunigan, Monterey D. Lee II, Sydney Ewing-Roush, Hassan Glen, Bre'v Hunter, Tylani Hunter, Tanessa Mitchell, Ayanna Spaulding

Wise Men Implements:

Charlie Ptah Huddleston

Hands Artwork (Live):

LaRhonda Angelisa

ART Choral Ensemble:

Cytherea Brasswell, Deion Jackson, J.K. Hunter, Tyese Hunter, Denise Knowles, Tania Reid, Jenise Smith

ART Dance Ensemble:

Fisk University Orchesis, Charlie Dowdy, Delali A. Potakey

ART Jazz Ensemble:

melvin "Maestro" lightford, keys; Alex Stadaker, keys; Candace Lightford, bass; Kerry Frazier, sax; Marcus Hill, percussion; Riley Baxter, III, conductor