Red Bank Theater Watch: Black Nativity and New Years with Southside Johnny

The spirit of the holidays continues this week at , with a production of the Black Nativity on Friday, Dec. 30, and a rockin’ way to ring in the New Year, Jersey style, with a concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Saturday, Dec. 31.

On Friday, take in the Black Nativity, an incredible retelling of the traditional Nativity story.

Billed as a ‘song play,’ the Black Nativity tells the story using scripture, music, dance and verse. The ‘song play’ is based on the Gospel of St. Luke, and uses the moving poetry of renowned American poet Langston Hughes to tell a heartwarming story. The story is performed by an all black cast of talented singers, actors, dancers and musicians.

Black Nativity premiered on Broadway in 1961, and is one of the first plays written by an African American to be performed on Broadway. The production is produced by the National Center of Afro American Artists, and delivers a message of joy, hope, liberation and victory that resonates with audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

The production of Black Nativity at Count Basie is directed by veteran actor and director Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr. who is the Producing Artistic Director of the Dunbar Repertory Theater Company. The goal of the Dunbar Repertory Theater Company is to bring appreciation of cultural diversity to the public while celebrating African American culture.

On Saturday, Dec. 31, ring in the New Year with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Billed as the ‘best New Year’s Eve party in town,’ this is the 13th year that Southside Johnny helps Red Bank welcome the New Year.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes rose to fame in the 1970’s, following in the footsteps of legendary Jersey performer Bruce Springsteen. The song I Don’t Want to Go Home became known as their ‘signature song’ and evoked the evoked what was considered to be the ‘Jersey shore sound,’ a mix of R&B, horns, and sentimental lyrics.

The band has enjoyed a long career, dropping hits throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. In the 1990’s, Southside Johnny re-launched his career with the album Better Days,  which featured vocal performances by New Jersey heavyweights Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. The Asbury Jukes also got a new infusion of energy from Bobby Bandiera, and hit the road for a brand new tour.

Their latest release, 2010’s Pills and Ammo, has received high critical acclaim, the highest since Better Days. All the songs on the album were primarily written by Southside Johnny and Jukes keyboardist Jeff Kazee.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes ring in the New Year like no one else can. Their New Year’s performance traditionally features their full catalogue of songs, from their latest CD to old fan favorites like Havin’ a Party and Love on the Wrong Side of Town.

Schedule:

Friday, Dec. 30, 2011: Black Nativity, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011: Southside Johnny and the Jukes, 9 p.m.