The music of late rapper Tupac Shakur is coming to Broadway, and the closer it gets, the more excited we become. The new musical Holler If Ya Hear Me, which begins performances at the legendary Palace Theatre on May 29, is non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope in the inner city. Today, the show announced casting (sorry to those hoping for a stage full of holograms), and the cast is incredible. Below, BroadwayBox looks back on some of our favorite YouTube moments from the stars of Holler If Ya Hear Me.
Saul Williams (John)
Broadway may not know him yet, but Saul Williams is an internationally renowned slam poetry performer. He appeared on screen in Slam, Aujourd'hui- TEY and TV’s Girlfriend; and he has performed at the White House, the Sydney Opera House and Queen Elizabeth Hall. Williams’ released five books and four albums.
Christopher Jackson (Vertus)
Oh let’s be honest: we’ve had a crush on Christopher Jackson since the first time we saw “Benny’s Dispatch.” Some of you probably have been crushing since he was Simba in The Lion King; or maybe you’re a late bloomer and he got your atencion in Bronx Bombers, Memphis or After Midnight. Either way, he’s back.
Saycon Sengbloh (Corinne)
Few singers on Broadway can rival Saycon Sengbloh’s pipes. She had us “Dancing in the Streets” in Motown, she defied gravity in Wicked and she turned us “Upside Down” in Fela; there were also big belting moments in Hair, Aida, The Color Purple and, now hopefully, Holler If Ya Hear Me.
Ben Thompson (Griffy)
If you’ve seen the recent productions of American Idiot, Matilda, Carrie or Rent, you’ve noticed Ben Thompson on stage before—it would be impossible not to. He’s the kind of performer the eye naturally goes toward. Listen to that sound as he works the guitar.
John Earl Jelks (Street Preacher)
A 2007 Tony nominee for Radio Golf, Jelks was last seen in New York Theatre Workshop’s Fetch Clay, Make Man.
Joshua Boone (Darius)
Holler is Broadway debut for Mr. Boone. Find out how Smokey Joe’s led him to B’way.
Dyllon Burnside (Anthony)
It’s also a Broadway debut for Burnside, who appeared off-Broadway B-Boy Blues.
Tonya Pinkins (Mrs. Weston)
Tony winner, three-time Tony nominee and Broadway fashionista, Tonya Pinkins is known for her killer, undeniable performances in Caroline, or Change, Jelly’s Last Jam, A Time to Kill, The Wild Party, Play On!, Radio Golf, Milk Like Sugar and TV’s All My Children. For Ms. Pinkins, let’s do some “Lot’s Wife” and (because she’s such a legend) a bonus video of her performing “Somewhere That’s Green.”
And shout-out to insane-voiced Holler If Ya Hear Me ensemble member Christina Sajous.
