Coming to the Stage: ‘Holla If Ya Hear Me,’ ‘King Hedley II’ and ‘DOT’

Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

Tony Award winning Broadway director Kenny Leon has announced a fantastic 2017-18 season for his Atlanta-based True Colors Theatre Company. The theme is all about “Truth & Clarity” and celebrates 15 years of theater excellence.

Kicking-off the season is the regional premiere of the Broadway musical, “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” which is inspired by the music and lyrics of the late hip hop icon Tupac Shakur. The non-biographical musical centers around friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. The original show debuted in the spring of 2014 and featured actor, poet and musician Saul Williams, Tony winner Tonya Pinkins and recent “Scandal” actress Saycon Sengbloh. Holler is written by Todd Kriedler and directed by Leon and runs September 12 through October 8, 2017.

Following Holler is August Wilson‘s “King Hedley II.” It’s 1985 in the backyard of an urban Pittsburg neighborhood staunch with decay. King Hedley II is an ex-con desperately trying to make a new life for himself selling stolen refrigerators. Scraping at the dirt, King spends a lot of time trying to plant seeds where nothing can grow. This becomes the perfect metaphor for his life as his dreams are doomed to a violent end. The original show debuted in 1999 before it premiere on Broadway in 2001. That show featured Tony winner Brian Mitchell Stokes, acting legend Leslie Uggams and Oscar winner Viola Davis. This show is directed by Jamil Jude and runs February 13 through March 11, 2018.

Closing out the season is actor Colman Domingo‘s critically acclaimed Off Broadway show, “DOT.” In the Shealy house, Christmas means time for family gatherings. Only this holiday, Dotty and her three grown children gather with more than the holiday spirit in mind. As Dotty struggles to hold on to her failing memory, her children must fight to balance care for their mother and care for themselves. Crackling with humor, this lucid comedy grapples aging parents, midlife crises, and the heart of an urban West Philly neighborhood. The original show premiered in February of 2016 and featured actress Marjorie Johnson as DOT. Kenny Leon will direct this version which runs from July 17 through August 12, 2018.

Click here for more information and see you at the theatre!

Photo Credits: Wikipedia and the Boombox