Saul Williams, Tonya Pinkins & Christopher Jackson to Star in Tupac Shakur Musical Holler If Ya Hear Me

Holler if ya hear them! The cast is now set for the upcoming Broadway musical Holler If Ya Hear Me. Tony winner Tonya Pinkins, award-winning slam poet Saul Williams, Christopher Jackson, Saycon Sengbloh, Ben Thompson, Tony nominee John Earl Jelks, Joshua Boone and Dyllon Burnside will star in the new musical inspired by the work of Tupac Shakur.

Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, the non-biographical story of Holler If Ya Hear Me focuses on two childhood friends living in a poverty-stricken Midwestern industrial city, struggling to realize their dreams. The production will feature songs from throughout the late rap icon's career, including "California Love," "Keep Ya Head Up," "Me Against the World" and, of course, the title song.

Pinkins is a Tony winner for Jelly’s Last Jam. She received nominations for Caroline or Change and Play On!. Her additional Broadway credits include A Time To Kill, The Wild Party and Radio Golf. Williams co-wrote and starred in the film Slam and appeared in K-Pax, Lackawanna Blues New York, I Love You and Aujourd’hui-TEY. Jackson, currently seen in After Midnight, has also appeared on Broadway in Bronx Bombers In the Heights, Memphis and The Lion King.

Holler will also feature Sengbloh, whose Broadway credits include Motown, Fela!, Hair and Wicked, Thompson, who appeared in Matilda and American Idiot, and Jelks, who received a Tony nomination for his performance in Radio Golf and has also appeared on Broadway in Gem of the Ocean. 

The ensemble will be comprised of Afi Bijou, Mel Charlot, Carrie Compere, Otis Cotton, Ariana Groover, Jared Joseph, Jahi Kearse, Muata Langley, Valentine Norton, Christina Sajous, Charlene Smith, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Donald Webber Jr. and Joaquina Kalukango.

 As previously announced, Holler If Ya Hear Me will begin performances on May 29 at the Palace Theatre.