Good news for Tupac Shakur fans! The late hip-hop icon’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical titled, “Holler If Ya Hear Me.”
According to Playbill, the Kenny Leon directed musical will begin casting in New York City on March 10 and are seeking African American Male and Female rappers between the ages of 18 - 35, in addition to one “Caucasian actor” between the ages 20 - 25 with a “strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills.”
While Leon previously revealed to The Huffington Post that he has held small workshops with Shakur’s mother, Afeni, he also mentioned during an interview with PBS that he has always wanted to direct a production inspired by the rapper’s illustrious discography.
“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,” he said. “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. So we are going to probably do a big workshop in New York this summer and I'm going to try to bring it to Broadway in the next Broadway season.”
“So a year from now hopefully you'll be seeing this world-changing musical on the Broadway stage. I couldn't be more excited,” he continued. “Todd [Kriedler] is writing the book, and with the lyrics by Tupac, it's going to be very exciting, pretty much would sort of change the face of musical theater as we know it on Broadway, so I am looking forward to that.”
Although a premiere date is yet to be determined, workshops for selected actors of “Holler If Ya Hear Me” will run from April 23 until May 11.
CORRECTION: This article quoted Kenny Leon's interview with PBS in attributing the book for "Holler If You Hear Me" to Todd "Krickler." His name has been corrected.
PHOTOS:
Remembering Tupac Shakur
WATCH: