Posted by | Cyrena Rose
It’s been two years in the making but the Tupac-inspired stage musical has arrived!
Helmed by Tony Award-nominated director Kenny Leon, Holler If Ya Hear Me, is now set to make its debut this spring, on Broadway, with performances beginning May 26, and an official opening on June 19, 2014, at the Palace Theater.
RC ‘caught up’ with Kenny Leon back in February 2012 and shared how the project came to fruition…
…for the last 10 years, I’ve been in communication with Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother. And she has always wanted something on a Broadway stage that would do justice to his artistry and music. I also think that Tupac was a prophet and I think his audience can be broadened to not only existing followers but others that could acknowledge his genius by just getting inside of his music. So, I found a way to deliver his music. This is not an autobiographical. It’s not about Tupac’s life. It’s not about East Coast versus West Coast. It’s just a musical that’s been inspired by his music.
Check out some information about the musical via press release below:
HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, a new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, written by Todd Kreidler, directed by Kenny Leon, will begin performances on May 26, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).
HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the world inside Tupac Shakur’s music and lyrics, blazes to life in a non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. Inner city lives struggle for peace against the daily challenges they face in this entertaining and original musical. Through the poetry of one of the 20th century’s most influential and culturally prominent voices, we are given a window into realities of the streets still relevant today.
Holler If Ya Hear Me is produced on Broadway by Afeni Shakur, the late rapper’s mother, along with Eric L. Gold, Chun-soo Shin and Jessica Green.
Casting and ticketing information will follow in the coming weeks. The opening date of Holler If Ya Hear Me positions the show after the cutoff for this year’s Tony Awards, making it eligible for consideration in 2015.
