Hughes was the author of the book, with the lyrics and music being derived from traditional Christmas carols, sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show.

[1] A week before the musical's December 1961 opening, dancers Alvin Ailey and Carmen de Lavallade withdrew from their roles as Joseph and Mary over the title changing to Black Nativity, objecting to the racialization of a religious term.

[3] Louis Johnson, who had replaced Ailey and de Lavallade as choreographer, received criticism from the New York Amsterdam News for dancing that was too constrained by the small stage to match the gospel singing.

The birth of Jesus is one of the most dramatic aspects of the show, as the stage--previously lit with orange and blue lights--is bathed in a deep red hue.

The original 160 singers were arranged by age group and vocal range, with an assortment of soloists, along with the narrator, and Mary and Joseph, who are both mute, as well as musicians and ASL interpreters.