BWW Flashback: HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Closes on Broadway Today
By: BWW Special Coverage Jul. 20, 2014
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Holler If Ya Hear Me, written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, plays its final Broadway performance today after 30 performances. The Tupac inspired musical originally opened on June 19 at the Palace Theatre.
Holler If Ya Hear Me starred award-winning slam poet, actor, singer, musician Saul Williams (Slam) as John, Christopher Jackson (After Midnight) as Vertus, Saycon Sengbloh (Motown The Musical, Fela!) as Corinne, Ben Thompson (Matilda) as Griffy, John Earl Jelks(Radio Golf - Tony nomination) as Street Preacher, Joshua Boone (Brownsville Song [b side for Tray] at Actors Theatre of Louisville) as Darius,Dyllon Burnside ("Prison Break") as Anthony, Jahi Kearse (Baby It's You) and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam, Caroline or Change, Play On!) as Mrs. Weston.
The cast also featured Tracee Beazer (Memphis), Afi Bijou (Fela!), Mel Charlot (Three-time World Hip Hop Champion),Carrie Compere (Shrek National Tour),Otis Cotton, Ryan Davis (danced for Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj), Brandon Gill(Neighbors at The Public), Ari Groover (Bare Off-Broadway), F. Michael Haynie(Wicked), Jared Joseph (Book of Mormon National Tour), Muata Langley (freestyle Krump performer), Candace Maxwell, Valentine Norton ("American Idol"),Christina Sajous (Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark), Charlene "Chi Chi" Smith, Jaime Lincoln Smith (Ruined Off-Broadway), Donald Webber, Jr. (Motown The Musical) and Joaquina Kalukango (Godspell).
Director Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun [2004 and Tony Award in 2014], Fences [2010], The Mountaintop) and author Todd Kreidler (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and direction of How I Learned What I Learned) were joined on the creative team, are Tony Award winning choreographer Wayne Cilento (Wicked, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed...[1995], AIDA, Sweet Charity [2004]), and musical supervisor Daryl Waters (Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk, The Color Purple, Memphis).
The creative team also included scenic design by Edward Pierce (The Other Place, Shatner's World) based on original concepts by David Gallo, projections by Zachary G. Borovay (No Man's Land, Waiting for Godot), costumes by Reggie Ray (Stick Fly), lighting by Mike Baldassari (Cabaret [1998/2014], First Date), sound by John Shivers(Kinky Boots) and David Patridge (Soul Doctor) and casting by Caparelliotis Casting (Casa Valentina, The Trip to Bountiful).
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. 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 began rehearsals on April 21 and on April 24@HollerBway tweeted, "Welcome to the #HollerBway meet & greet! Say HI to our fabulous cast! Broadway - here we come." Scroll down to see pictures from the rehearsal and for the first sneak peek.
During rehearsals, BroadwayWorld took you to meet the cast. Scroll down for some of the cast photos taken by Jennifer Broski during the press meet and for an exclusive cast interview with Richard Ridge.
Prior to opening, the cast and creative team also took part in the Schomburg Center's Theater Talk Panel where they discussed the journey of bringing Tupac to Broadway. Scroll down to watch the complete livestream.
Just before opening night, BroadwayWorld got a first look at the cast in action (photos by Joan Marcus), plus video highlights from the show!
Holler If Ya Hear Me opened on Broadway on June 19. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night celebrations, scroll down to see some of the pictures from the evening (taken by Linda Lenzi) and for interviews with the cast.
Holler If Ya Hear Me lined up a number of TV spots after opening. Scroll down to watch the cast perform on Good Morning America and Good Day NY.
Holler If Ya Hear Me was new musical that tackled the music of a generation.
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