The Broadway musical based on the life of Tupac Shakur is actually happening. It's so happening that they're about to start casting the thing. AllHipHop.com found a notice on Playbill.com announcing casting on “Holler If Ya Hear Me” will begin on March 4 in New York. The production is directed by Kenny Leon and is described as an “American musical inspired by and featuring the music of Tupac Shakur.” So, like Mamma Mia! But more gangsta. Leon is a critically acclaimed Broadway director, whose 2010 revival of August Wilson'sFences was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three. In November, he helmed the 90-minute Martin Luther King Jr. inspired play The Mountaintop, which starred Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. “Seeking African American Male and Female rappers ages 18 – 35,” said the post from MelCap Casting. “Additionally seeking one Caucasian actor ages 20 – 25 with a strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills. Strong legit singing voices a plus for all, but not required.” Theatre experience not required either. No debut date has been announced. The production has reportedly gotten the thumbs up from Tupac's mom, Afeni Shakur. Kenny Leon said in a November, 2011, PBS interview, “A long time ago, maybe eight or nine years ago, I’ve been talking about that with Tupac’s mother, Afeni, and so we’ve become fans of each other and she sort of entrusted me with her son’s music. 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. 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.” But not everyone thinks it's a great idea. Rapper Danny Brown tweeted in reponse to the news (via Spin.com) "a 2pac musical? .... whats next Biggie on Ice?" to which Questlove of the Roots responded "you know that can happen right? i once saw Earth Wind & Fire on ice. #seriously." |
No comments:
Post a Comment