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Photos: Now In Its 46th Year, The Longest-Running 'Black Nativity' Kicks Off In Boston
This year's Boston production of Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" begins Friday night.
The song-play was first performed off-Broadway in 1961 and is now regularly presented in cities across the country. Boston boasts the longest-running production.
For 46 years, scores of volunteers get together to tell the story of the first nativity in song, dance and narration under the direction of the Boston-based National Center for Afro-American Artists.
The show's executive producer, Voncille Ross, attributes its enduring popularity to its universal story.
"It speaks to all, no matter what religion you are," she said. "It's a story that everybody can relate to. It's a story of hope, goodwill and peace."
Here's a look at a dress rehearsal inside the Paramount Center the other day:
![The cast of "Black Nativity" run through a dress rehearsal at the Paramount Center on Wednesday, Nov. 30. (Hadley Green for WBUR)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2016/12/161201_Black-Nativity_07-1000x705.jpg)
![Mary and Joseph on stage early in the production. (Hadley Green for WBUR)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2016/12/161201_Black-Nativity_01-1000x1037.jpg)
![Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus during dress rehearsal. (Hadley Green for WBUR)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2016/12/161201_Black-Nativity_03-1-1000x789.jpg)
![(Hadley Green for WBUR)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2016/12/161201_Black-Nativity_05-1000x627.jpg)
![This year marks the 46th time Boston has put on a production of Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity." (Hadley Green for WBUR)](https://media.wbur.org/wp/2016/12/161201_Black-Nativity_04-1000x664.jpg)
With reporting by WBUR's Delores Handy