P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical at Imagination Stage

P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical

Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda

P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical re-imagines the classic Pinocchio story in Hip-Hopia, an enchanted land where people speak in rhyme, break-dance instead of walk, and listen to birds sing and chirp with the precision and rhythm of turntables and beat machines. In this world premiere commissioned by Imagination Stage and written by hip-hop theatre artist and playwright Psalmayene 24, who also performs the title role, the fairytale is updated for today’s audiences.

Thru - Mar 11, 2012

Price: $10 - $22

Show Type: Childrens

Box Office: 301-280-1660

Running Time: 1 hour,30 mins with 1 intermission

www.imaginationstage.org

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P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical Reviews

Average Rating based on 3 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...But the show is also an evocation of urban life, spotlighting the contrasting physicality of city-dwellers — a high-stepping power walker (S. Lewis Feemster), a hopscotch-playing girl (a dynamic Felicia Curry), a crotchety, stooped old lady (Neville Braithwaite) and others — in an orange-toned cubist metropolis (Meghan Raham designed the set and costumes). The storytelling sometimes drags, but there’s piquancy in the movement, which includes a fight waged through hip-hop dance, a taxi ride chronicled with swaying bodies and a dream sequence in which schoolchildren move in seemingly weightless slow-mo after their teacher (Mark Hairston) lectures on gravity. (The play’s art-rock-inflected score was composed by R. MacKenzie Lewis.) A little of this kinetic lyricism goes a long way, but with a 45-minute running time and an unobjectionable message about kindness and diversity, “The Wings of Ikarus Jackson” can hardly test anyone’s patience too sorely."

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- Celia Wren

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"... Imagination Stage presents P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical, where the beloved classic Pinocchio is re-imagined for a newer, tech-savvy generation. Powerhouse talent Psalmayene 24 boasts the titles of playwright, director, and performer (as P.Nokio himself!) in this energetic visual feast that children and parents will both love."

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- Julia Exline

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

P. Nokio, written and directed by hip hop performing artist Psalmayene 24, hits a fun and groovy downbeat. Playing the main character, Psalmayene 24 takes on the stiff mannerisms of an artificial image plucked from an electronic game and given a body by the graffiti fairy, the irresistible Paige Hernandez, who makes dreams come true.

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- Debbie Jackson

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P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical at Imagination Stage