Word: The Musical about the end of Hip-Hop Culture. By Danté Pirtle
When developing this play I thought about what is so-called hip-hop today. When comparing the genres' development since the late 1970's, some would say that the culture has gone downhill. This play is a development on such a theory. The audience is taken to a world where hip-hop is diminished from its current existence. In my play, no one can legally purchase, sell or present hip-hop in any way, shape, or form. The last area for such a place is in Illinois called Grainstorage. The area is known for the last hip-hop and R&B radio station in the country entitled, W.O.R.D. 108. The play presents a final broadcast for the station and for hip-hop as we know it. Not only does the piece attack on the culture, it also attacks the culture of the interracial relationships. (Kinship, Dating, etc.) The play seems to bring a universal message on communication. Nothing brings more dialogue about communication than hip-hop itself. This issue has been discussed for years. Since theatre is known to be twenty years behind, I feel that this play will grow immensely to the public eye. Especially to those that have spent there lives presenting hip-hop to the masses. The music in this piece is a mixture of different urban styles. (Rapping, gospel, blues, r&b, jazz, and funk.) It is a play for many who have come to me and wondered "when will hip-hop finally be on stage?" My answer was "it can easily be put on stage, it just depends on how you want to present it." It is traditional as well as, nontraditional in it's musical theatre form. This play to some could have been a mockery by having people rap and go to a corner. I wanted a play that brings more than what is seen in the traditional sense.In Scene1, the play begins with a male announcing the last broadcast for hip-hop. Within the announcement we are taken back to 1984 where the radio station "W.O.R.D.108" was first established. The story is told by Broadcast, as well as the Rhymers. The main characters are Cory (the d.j.), J.R. (The graffiti artist), Lawrence and Lynn (Break-dancers in a love hate relationship) and Flo ( the punk rock girl who hates hip-hop). Within the casting process, J.R. will be played by a white woman, and Cory, a black man. Even though they have these differences J.R. is letting Cory know that they are still blood related family despite what media is telling him. For casting in roles for Brothas and Sistas, the range in race, is endless, because hip-hop has always been a global movement. It will truly be the first of it's kind in presentation.
If you have any more questions, email me at tedan02@hotmail.com
Stay Focused!
Danté Pirtle