John stands in his “apartment” with the ensemble break-dancing to his performance.
Tupac Shakur, one of the biggest names in hip-hop, is continuing to enlighten the world he left behind almost 20 years ago. The musician’s life was tragically cut short in 1996 after only five years in the limelight, but his influence can still be felt today with one of Broadway’s newest productions, Holler if Ya Hear Me.
Holler if Ya Hear Me is the first jukebox musical in history to entirely utilize hip-hop, and portrays a non-biographical story of what takes place on inner city streets where gang-life is a real and regular threat capable of consuming misguided youth. Rather than advance the story, Tupac’s music provides more of a commentary on the events that unfold; the power of his poetry shines a light on the darkness that envelops the lives of the characters involved.
The musical begins with the main character John (Saul Williams) coming down from above the stage on a small platform meant to represent his shoddy new apartment. John has spent the last 12 years of his life in jail, but he is still oppressed by the prison of the impoverished streets around him. John secures a job at a local body shop and wants nothing more than to earn an honest living, but the murder of one his old friends forces John to face the reality of life in the streets; the thug life, as Tupac would say.
Vertus (Christopher Jackson) is the brother of the slain victim and the leader of one of the area’s many gangs. The death of his younger brother forces Vertus to rethink his stance in the ongoing war for the streets. War is a constant theme in the musical; represented by characters alluding to The Art of War and graffiti tags in the background addressing the imminence of peace, or lack thereof.
All around the performances accurately illustrate the struggle of inner city life, and each character’s emotional display is accentuated by the complex lyrics of Tupac’s music. The audience is captivated as spit literally flies from the mouths of cast members and the rhymes surge forth. John has a quick and flawless flow, Vertus delivers soulful rhythm, and the voices of the entire ensemble together sound as if they were a full church choir. Out of a cast of great performers, Mrs. Weston (Tonya Pinkins) was truly one of the show’s many highlights. The mother of Vertus and his murdered brother has brief stage time, but Mrs. Weston produces some of the production’s most tear-inducing moments.
Holler if Ya Hear Me represents a continuation of one of the many goals Tupac sought to accomplish in his life: it breaks down the barriers of race through music and poetry to create one homogenous audience. This Broadway production was attended by theater connoisseurs, as well as hip-hop fans hooting and hollering for their favorite songs. No matter what brought each person to the Palace Theatre that night, the unanimous standing ovation the cast received proves the impact Tupac’s of legacy is still felt.
Production information:
Palace Theatre
1564 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Opening: June 19, 2014
Buy your tickets today by clicking here.
Visit Holler if Ya Hear Me’s official website.
– Alex Falls
