Hip hop musical “˜Def Poetry Jam’ comes to Wadsworth

Picture a Broadway musical starring nine distinctive
personalities and talents. Take away the melodrama, and then add
some high-end hip-hop and original poetry. The result is the
“Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam.”

In essence, “Def Poetry Jam” is a presentation of
performance poetry inspired by current events. The poets, called
“spoken-word artists,” rhyme about everything from
domestic violence to environmentalism. “Def Poetry
Jam,” a 2003 Tony Award winner, will be at the Wadsworth
Theatre tonight through Sunday.

The musical was first conceptualized by hip hop magnate Simmons,
who popularized the spoken-word culture with an HBO series of the
same name that has run for at least three seasons.

“People who have watched us on TV know exactly
what’s great about the Def Poetry Jam,” Simmons said.
“Thousands of talented poets with all different backgrounds
appeared in the show, and we only picked nine for the musical. We
worked hard to ensure the best sound, best choreography and the
best writing.”

According to Simmons, the difference between the TV series and
the current stage version is that the goal of the poets has changed
from showcasing themselves to cooperating with other
performers.

“The poets don’t just collaborate, but they come
together as one,” Simmons said. “The show is about
making America better socially, but at the same time, it’s so
funny.”

Apart from its comedic side, the show also attempts to convey a
serious message about social misconceptions.

“(Def Poetry Jam) is a rebellion from the norm and the
status quo,” Simmons said. “All of the poetry is
written by the artists themselves. They are honest, and they have
integrity. Audiences stand up, cheer, laugh, and cry because
everything (the artists) speak of is real.”

A definitive feature of the show is its integration of hip-hop
culture and traditional stage performance.

“Theater, like all successful art forms, will become
massive,” Simmons said. “The people who are not thought
of as the elites or as being sophisticated will finally see
something in the theater that can represent them.”

Eight poets and a DJ make up the cast. They come from a wide
variety of backgrounds including Chinese, Nigerian and Palestinian.
Simmons believes hip-hop is not restricted to black culture. His
plans are for the team to perform internationally at the conclusion
of the current national tour.

“We are going to bring it all around the world. We want
the world to know the truth about what most Americans are thinking,
as opposed to just knowing what the people who live in Beverly
Hills are (thinking).”

Tickets are $20 for UCLA students. Visit
www.ticketmaster.com for details.