Variety sends word that Fox Searchlight will adapt Langston Hughes’ 1961 gospel musical Black Nativity into a big-screen film.

The Broadway show is a retelling of the Bible’s nativity story with an all-black cast and features traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style. It was one of the first plays written by an African-American to be staged on Broadway.

It will be adapted and directed by Kasi Lemmons (Talk to Me) and is being fast-tracked for release as early as this Christmas.