- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
NEW YORK — A developmental workshop is underway in New York City for Holler If Ya Hear Me, a new musical inspired by the work of Tupac Shakur, which is being targeted for Broadway.
The show will be directed by Kenny Leon, known for his Broadway work on plays including A Raisin in the Sun with Sean Combs; Fences, with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis; and The Mountaintop, with Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett.
While no firm dates have been set for the long-gestating project, producers are aiming to premiere during the 2013-14 Broadway season.
A non-biographical original story, the show is set in the present day, on the inner-city streets of a Midwestern industrial city, chronicling the challenges faced by two childhood friends and their extended families. The story is inspired by and unfolds to the music of Shakur, the influential rapper who died in 1996 and has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide.
The musical has a book by Todd Kreidler and choreography by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Wicked, The Who’s Tommy). The design team includes David Gallo (sets), Reggie Ray (costumes) and Mike Baldassari (lighting). Music supervision is by Daryl Waters, a veteran of such musicals as Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk, The Color Purple and Memphis.
Lead producers on the project are the late music superstar’s mother, Afeni Shakur, as well as Eric L. Gold, Chunsoo Shin and Jessica Green.
Related Stories
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day