ARTS . Dance Review

Hip-Hop Hooray


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Published: Oct 4, 2006

There are dark moments in From Tha Hip, but they're more than balanced by large doses of good humor and exceptionally witty dance. The plot of this hip-hop musical focuses on a pivotal time in the life of young Colin Cole Jr., just immigrated to America and struggling to find his way in a strange new land. Other kids make fun of his accent but he eventually wins their friendship, plus a personal sense of direction, by becoming a hip-hop dancer. There's a young love subplot plus father/son issues, but that's the general gist.

It's a simple story, presented to appeal to young and old alike, with marvelous execution and first-rate production values. While serious at heart, there's plenty of irreverence — like the Catholic school students dancing and singing "the nun's got a big ol' butt."

From Tha Hip is inspired by true-life events of creator/choreographer Clyde Evans Jr., who came to Philadelphia from Trinidad and went on to become a star of Rennie Harris Puremovement and a noted dancemaker in his own right. Besides telling his own tale, Evans wants to offer insight into the history and mores of hip-hop, and he does so in clever ways. In one scene, window mannequins showcase the dance form's various styles, poppin', lockin' and house. Another ingenious scene links hip-hop moves back to ancient Egypt, with the cast playing a museum exhibit come alive.

Members of Evans' Chosen Dance Company all prove themselves lively dancers and actors; Virgil Gadson, as Colin, is especially effective, his sensitive facial and physical gestures speaking volumes.

More energy, humor and social consciousness come by way of the Subliminal Orphans, a versatile band featuring three vocalists whose appearance live onstage makes this wonderfully conceived production all the more authentic in its upbeat vision of hip-hop culture.

(d_kasrel@citypaper.net)