Tupac Shakur on Broadway? New musical features the rapper’s songs
Hard-core rap could soon be experienced by a whole new crowd. A new musical inspired by Tupac Shakur’s music is in development, with an eye toward Broadway.
Helmed by Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun,†“Fencesâ€), “Holler if Ya Hear Me†is being workshopped in New York and could debut during Broadway’s 2013-14 season.
While fueled by Shakur’s songs, the production isn’t a biographical drama based on the late rapper’s life.
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“Holler if Ya Hear Me†is a fictional account of two childhood friends and their families facing challenges in a Midwestern industrial city during the present day.
The creative team includes Tony-winning choreographer Wayne Cilento (“Wickedâ€) and Todd Kreidler (“Radio Golf,†“Gem of the Oceanâ€), who wrote the book.
Afeni Shakur, the late artist’s mother, is one of the producers.
The rapper and actor, who was gunned down in 1996 at the age of 25, has sold more than 75 million albums often featuring raw rap lyrics spliced by poetic melodies.
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