News of June 19, 2014
"Holler If Ya Hear Me" Premieres on Broadway
An $8 million budget and Tupac's verses on Broadway: On June 19, "Holler If Ya Hear Me" premiered at the Palace Theatre.
On June 19, 2014, “Holler If Ya Hear Me” celebrated its official premiere at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. Rolling Stone called it the first hip-hop jukebox musical in Broadway history, possibly even in theater history.
Tupac’s Lyrics Tell Other Stories
In its review, the magazine praised Saul Williams, who raps with the authority of years of experience, and Tonya Pinkins. However, Tupac’s lyrics were so dense and vivid that the show at times felt like the story of people telling other stories.
Eight Million Dollars for a Younger Audience
Billboard reported on June 20 that the production cost eight million dollars and reached an 80 percent capacity during its two weeks of previews. The house aimed for a significantly younger audience than its neighbors with musicals about Carole King and the Four Seasons.
Director Kenny Leon said: “I hope we have time to find our audience.” But the end came faster than hoped. The report on the closing recounts it.