“Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam” opened on November 14, 2002 at the Longacre Theatre on W. 48th st. Conceived by Simmons and director Stan Lathan, the cast features a diverse group of 9 slam poets (Beau Sia/Black Ice/Staceyann Chin/Steve Coleman/ Mayda Del Valle/Georgia Me/Suheir Hammad and Lemon Poetri) and one D.J. (Tendaii).
This diverse group represents poets from many different U.S. cities including, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The ethnic roots of the individual performers are also an eclectic mix of Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Chinese, Palestinian and American.
Originally HBO’s show, “Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry”, the show had it’s world premiere in San Francisco this past summer at the Theatre on the Square where it received much acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Coming to Broadway was the next logical step for the show.
But, it isn’t a musical and it isn’t a play…so what is it? Best known as the performance art, SLAM POETRY, “Def Poetry Jam” delivers high energy poems by people from the street, revolving around three main themes: Identity, Tributes (to people and/or influences) and Love. The poems include a wide range of themes, subjects and feelings from the touching (Georgia Me’s “Full Figured Woman”) to the funny (Poetri’s “Shine”).
As much as the show is entertainment, it also provides the audience with an education and a viewpoint focusing on current themes and issues relevant in today’s society as everything from a commentary to a rant to raw emotion.
For as many reviewers that applaud the show for it’s ingeniously creative format, there are those that criticize it’s inability to maintain the energy and focus toward the audience that is necessary in a live, theatrical production. Some feel that television was a more successful venue for such an art form as this.
RUSSELL SIMMONS: brings the hip-hop culture (An African-American art form) to all that he does:
His Music Label: Def Jam Recordings
His film Company: Def Pictures
His t.v. credits: The Def Comedy Jam and One World Music Beat
His fashions: Phat Farm Clothing
His magazine: One World
STAN LATHAM: a producer and well-known Hollywood director of television and films is known for directing the pilots for “Moesha”, “Amen” and “The Steve Harvey Show” (among others) and episodes of “Bernie Mac”, “Hill Street Blues”, “Miami Vice”, “Barney Miller” and “Sanford & Son”. He is currently the Executive Producer and Director of the new FOX series, “Cedric, ‘The Entertainer’ presents”.
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