Tupac Musical 'Holla If Ya Hear Me' Heads To Broadway

Casting for a musical based on the music of the late hip hop star Tupac Shakur will begin later this week in New York. Holler If Ya Hear Me will be directed by three-time Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, reports All Hip Hop. Tupac's mother Afeni Shakur has approved the new production, which has put a call out for "African American Male and Female rappers ages 18 – 35" and "one Caucasian actor ages 20 – 25 with a strong facility for rap and terrific guitar skills. Strong legit singing voices a plus for all, but not required" though MelCap Casting. Last year Leon spoke to PBS about the production, saying: "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. 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." He added: "I couldn't be more excited. Todd Krickler 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 theatre as we know it on Broadway, so I am looking forward to that."