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It is impossible to miss Kelvin Roston Jr. on the stage. He possesses a unique energy that enhances every role I have seen him perform. He and his wife, Alexis Roston, are mainstays of the Chicago theater. I have seen him perform in The Jackie Wilson Story, The Gospel at Colonus, East Texas Hot Links, and Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution, among others. He has also written and performed a solo show about the late Donny Hathaway called Twisted Melodies, which started out as Psychology of a Genius, which will be playing here for the first time since 2015 at Northlight Theatre in 2025. Roston has done several productions at Court Theatre, one of which traveled to Los Angeles. The Gospel at Colonus was played at the Getty's outdoor coliseum theater, built for Greek theater only. He mentioned what a trip it was to see a giant poster in LA with his face on it.
Roston will be featured as the Angel Gabriel in A Nativity Tribute on December 4 and 5 at the Murphy Auditorium at the Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie Street. I had a video interview with Kelvin to discuss his career and his first delve into co-directing with TaRon Patton for A Nativity Tribute. We shared a great conversation about A Nativity Tribute.
How did you come to codirect A Nativity Tribute with TaRon Patton?
This is probably the fourth or fifth tribute that we have done, and I have been a part of some of them. So, TaRon asked me what I thought about directing. At first, I shied away, and then my wife (Alexis Roston) kicked me in the butt and said that I had to get out of my comfort zone. TaRon, of course, seconded that notion and said, “Yeah, I am going to put you down as a director.” So, I said, “Since I am playing Gabriel, I can supervise the music and be a consultant.” That got a “nope!” and I am actually glad of it.
Why a ‘tribute’ to A Black Nativity?
I am a member of Congo Square Theatre, as is TaRon, and they have been doing different versions of A Black Nativity for years. Then the pandemic shut everything down, and theaters had to scale back. So, TaRon came up with the concept of putting together a smaller amalgamation. This is through the African American Museum of Performing Arts at Black Ensemble Theater. This is maybe the fourth or fifth we’ve done, but it still has Langston Hughes at the root of it.
I have heard you sing in quite a few productions, and I can tell that your style of voice and singing started in church.
That is correct. My grandfather was a pastor and founded First Baptist Church of Northwoods in St. Louis. As a preacher’s kid, my mom was not a churchgoer, but my grandparents insisted on the grandkids going. So, my grandparents would pick us up every Sunday, and I became immersed in the church music. I told my grandfather that I wanted music lessons. I wanted to play the drums, but when I walked into that room, there was a piano. He wanted my mother to play for the church, but she didn’t. I was his second chance, and I played for church.
The cast plays different angels, and you are Gabriel, who announces to Mary that she will have a son and that he will be the Messiah. What personality attributes do you give to your performance of Gabriel?
As far as my Gabriel is concerned, I portray him as God’s number two. I am treading this line of not acting like I am God’s favorite Lucifer, but I am speaking for God. It is time to tell one of the most important stories. Not to give away too much—God tells us that another angel is joining us and we are to acclimate them. Through that journey, the new angel learns their purpose.
It sounds wonderful. I am looking forward to seeing it. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I am also looking forward to your future performance as Donny Hathaway in Twisted Melodies in 2025.
It was my pleasure. Thank you.