About
Written and performed by Psalmayene 24, a preeminent voice in hip hop theater and Mosaic’s Andrew W. Mellon playwright-in-residence, this joyfully energetic coming of age story takes viewers from Park Slope, Brooklyn to Washington, DC, on a journey through Psalm’s adolescence and major life milestones which are often accentuated by the absence of his father, Mapel. Through a series of letters, both real and imagined, we explore the power of the written word to connect us with our loved ones, our past and our future.
Inventive, auteur director Natsu Onoda Power, “a motivational dynamo” who often enchants audiences with wonderful works of technical magic, will create “an island in a river of memories” through the use of live video projection and inventive prop design. Accenting this “solo show in poetry” are the percussive stylings of Jabari Exum, a Peabody Institute alum and the drummer and movement coach on Marvel’s Black Panther films whose music adds a depth and richness to this world premiere production.
Content Transparency: This production contains discussions and depictions of sex and grief, as well as instances of racism and racist language.
Are you a Press Member? Click Here
press & REVIEWS
“...Astonishing... remarkable...each and every emotion strikes a chord.”
“A heartfelt ode to fathers and sons, finding your voice, and growing up hip-hop.”
“…rewarding, thought-provoking…dazzling, [and] drop-dead hilarious…”
“...makes one conscious of the moment in history—not just our pandemic present”
“...provocative, hilarious, heart wrenching...”
“...a brilliant story about looking within, around, and outside of oneself for answers to questions about being a Black boy and man in America.”
“How do you mourn a man you barely knew?”
creative team
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
PRE-PRODUCTION PHOTOS
2020 Workshop
MEDIA
Listen to this curated playlist from Dear Mapel percussionist JabariDC and Sound Designer nickthe1da: