Good news for Tupac Shakur fans! The late hip-hop icon’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical titled, “Holler If Ya Hear Me.”
According to Playbill, the Kenny Leon directed musical will begin casting in New York City on March 10 and are seeking African American Male and Female rappers between the ages of 18 - 35, in addition to one “Caucasian actor” between the ages 20 - 25 with a “strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills.”
While Leon previously revealed to The Huffington Post that he has held small workshops with Shakur’s mother, Afeni, he also mentioned during an interview with PBS that he has always wanted to direct a production inspired by the rapper’s illustrious discography.
“The idea was always to make a musical inspired by his music and not to do an autobiographical approach to his life or anything like that,” he said. “And because I always thought that Tupac was a prophet and I thought if everybody could hear his words and hear his stories, they would see what I see. So we are going to probably do a big workshop in New York this summer and I'm going to try to bring it to Broadway in the next Broadway season.”
“So a year from now hopefully you'll be seeing this world-changing musical on the Broadway stage. I couldn't be more excited,” he continued. “Todd [Kriedler] is writing the book, and with the lyrics by Tupac, it's going to be very exciting, pretty much would sort of change the face of musical theater as we know it on Broadway, so I am looking forward to that.”
Although a premiere date is yet to be determined, workshops for selected actors of “Holler If Ya Hear Me” will run from April 23 until May 11.
CORRECTION: This article quoted Kenny Leon's interview with PBS in attributing the book for "Holler If You Hear Me" to Todd "Krickler." His name has been corrected.
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Good news for Tupac Shakur fans! The late hip-hop icon’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical titled, “Holler If Ya Hear Me.”
According to Playbill, the Kenny Leon directed musica...
Good news for Tupac Shakur fans! The late hip-hop icon’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical titled, “Holler If Ya Hear Me.”
According to Playbill, the Kenny Leon directed musica...
This is so amazing and well deserved! Well overdue. If people, like the ignorant, negative ones who've commented, would pay attention to history and not media...even READ that the musical's not about Tupac's life. IGNORANCE=LACK OF KNOWLEDGE!!!!! Pac was a poetic genius. Have any of you studied Shakespeare, classical music, AND acting??? DOUBT IT! Gain a little knowledge before you pass judgement.
L_Renee_Myers: This is so amazing and well deserved! Well overdue. If
Wow, what a treat! If Kenny Leon puts his finger on it, then you know it's going to be great.
Hands down, in my opinion, there is no other rapper like PAC! He was such a powerful powerful lyricist, and with Dr. Dre beats and all that base how could you go wrong? Simpy put, you couldn't.
For those of you who may comment without having heard any of this songs, and I mean truly listening, then I would suggest that you consider doing so. Just to let you know a little something: I grew up playing the violin and loving classical music. As I grew older, I embraced T. Monk, Miles Davis, Elton John, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill to name a few. And then a friend introduced me to 2PAC (CD), and I was like WOW!!! I, for one, eagerly anticipate the arrival of this play........R U Still Down? Holla If you hear me!
wondrflwindy: Wow, what a treat! If Kenny Leon puts his finger
Tupac was misunderstood as he was only pretending to be a "gangsta" in order to appeal to gangs and politicize them. It was part of his Panther extended family's Blood/Crips peace truce movement. He had headed the New Afrikan Panthers at 18. For more information, see the book and film, The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders.
John_Potash: Tupac was misunderstood as he was only pretending to be
Do we really need Tupac on broadway? I'm sorry but dude is a little overrated and there are many other black singers whose music would do better on stage. Whats next? Lil Kim on broadway?
liacashmere89: Do we really need Tupac on broadway? I'm sorry but
Tupac is not overrated, he wasn't only a rapper but a philosopher and a born leader. He was only 25 when he was killed so he did some foolish things that sometimes overshadowed the good but he really wanted to uplift people and he was into the arts, a smart kid.
cherrytop: Tupac is not overrated, he wasn't only a rapper but
sorry but I rather see a musical on john coltrane, miles davis, duke ellington, billy strayhorn, marvin gaye, chuck berry, ella fitzgerald, billie hoilday, sidney politier, thurgood marshall, paul robeson, harry belafonta, hattie mcdaniels, emmitt till, rudy mccollum, ruby and ozzie dee, Hell I can go on!
Jan_Shoemate: sorry but I rather see a musical on john coltrane,
Though you may not particularly care about Tupac, Rapp, Hip Hop but it's part of the landscape and has contributed mightily to the arts. If you listen to the lyrics of "some" of the artist I think you would find them to be pretty thought provoking, socially cognizant and relevant! Here's a few and I could go on!
KRS One
Talib Kweli
Dead Prez
Public Enemy
Immortal Technique
Mos Def
Raheem DeVaughn - Bullet Proof
Common
Brand Nubian
The Roots
Eric B. & Rakim
Hieroglyphics
Naz
NWA
blade1: Though you may not particularly care about Tupac, Rapp, Hip
I never stated that I dislike hiphop or Tupac, I actually like him and most of the artists you mention, but I feel that there are black artists of yesterday that are being forgotten and replaced with the like of Biggie, 2Pac, ect. I personally think they are too negative and disrespectful toward women even 2Pac!
Jan_Shoemate: I never stated that I dislike hiphop or Tupac, I
Not a rap fan but I think a "Wonderland" style film about the east vs. west coast rap feud might make for a tremendous movie. And the more paranoia the better.
BillAnthony: Not a rap fan but I think a "Wonderland" style
I know sad right,I'm waiting to see if he's gonna (which he hasnt) have a black create team for this play as in lights,costumes,set,production stage manager,stage managers,dressers,GM,Production Manager or are we gonna just be on stage rapping,dancing,singing,acting as we always do? there are lots of blacks designers out here but are not giving the chance to work on bway,again it's up to the Directors,Producers to hire.we will see.
jcarter891: I know sad right,I'm waiting to see if he's gonna
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First Posted: 02/29/2012 11:02 am Updated: 03/ 1/2012 12:58 pm