PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Tupac, Flexing and Freestyle on My Block!" A Two-Show Day With Dyllon Burnside of Holler If Ya Hear Me

To quote Darius in the show: “I need carbs, lots of energy. Don’t wanna be out there heavy in the middle of sh*t and be wishing for a Snickers.” — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Tupac, Flexing and Freestyle on My Block!" A Two-Show Day With Dyllon Burnside of Holler If Ya Hear Me

Dyllon Burnside plays the hot-headed Anthony in the Broadway premiere of *Holler If Ya Hear Me*, featuring the music and poetry of Tupac Shakur. He shares a recent two-show day at the newly renovated Palace Theatre, where he and his castmates bring Tupac's message to life 8 times a week.
46 PHOTOS

Good Morning, Good Morning! “Come with me” on a trip to “My Block!” — Good Morning, Good Morning! “Come with me�� on a trip to “My Block!��

Dyllon Burnside

“What you thinking? Lollipop?” — “What you thinking? Lollipop?��

Dyllon Burnside

I like to start my day off with a good hearty breakfast.

Dyllon Burnside

They didn’t stand a chance!

Dyllon Burnside

Next Slide

The morning warm up regimen. My foam roller and I don’t always see eye to eye.

Dyllon Burnside

Got all the essentials.

Dyllon Burnside

Hopefully the Q is on time today.

Dyllon Burnside

Welcome to “My Block” — Welcome to “My Block��

Dyllon Burnside

LL Cool John and Tracee Beazer chilling at the stage door.

Dyllon Burnside

Muata practices the toaster lift before each show. I want to pop out of that toaster soooo bad!

Dyllon Burnside

Getting ready for fight call.

Dyllon Burnside

B-boy Saul at his finest with an impromptu breaking session.

Dyllon Burnside

Into the hair room to cover my tattoo. Joy (our hair stylist) set up my own little makeup station for me. :)

Dyllon Burnside

The ladies on “My Block” love the part when I take off my shirt! — The ladies on “My Block�� love the part when I take off my shirt!

Dyllon Burnside

All covered now. This setting powder gets on EVERYTHING!

Dyllon Burnside

Had to stop by to see Afi Bijou for my pre-show inspiration. She’s so worldly wise.

Dyllon Burnside

The homie Brandon getting ready for tonight’s show.

Dyllon Burnside

Dressed and ready to go down for places. Someone sent me fruit today!

Dyllon Burnside

Josh getting dressed and blaring his loud music.

Dyllon Burnside

The master John Jelks getting ready to work.

Dyllon Burnside

“Holler if ya Hear Me!” — “Holler if ya Hear Me!��

Dyllon Burnside

Donald thinks he’s a “Soulja” now. — Donald thinks he’s a “Soulja�� now.

Dyllon Burnside

Hey big sis! They just called places.

Dyllon Burnside

Had to pose for a shot first, though.

Dyllon Burnside

Byron adjusts my mic before I go on every night. He’s the man!

Dyllon Burnside

“Here we go, turn it up, let’s start!” — “Here we go, turn it up, let’s start!��

Dyllon Burnside

One great show down. One more to go.

Dyllon Burnside

Ben has a special guest joining him between shows.

Dyllon Burnside

Ben isn’t the only one with guests… Hey Ms. Tonya! — Ben isn’t the only one with guests�� Hey Ms. Tonya!

Dyllon Burnside

When Afi hollers, you simply have to listen.

Dyllon Burnside

Chris (a.k.a. Papa Bear) making sure we eat between shows. He’s so encouraging.

Dyllon Burnside

Saul has his own hit factory set up in the dressing room. This man knows his music.

Dyllon Burnside

Ben having cuddle time.

Dyllon Burnside

Time for me to do some cuddling of my own.

Dyllon Burnside

The beautiful Ms. Kalakango getting her wig on for show 2.

Dyllon Burnside

The band is ready for the second show… Best band on Broadway! — The band is ready for the second show�� Best band on Broadway!

Dyllon Burnside

The men of “My Block” have a freestyle session before every show. #MediocreFlow — The men of “My Block�� have a freestyle session before every show. #MediocreFlow

Dyllon Burnside

I get 50 pushups in before every show. This makes my second set!

Dyllon Burnside

“Living life is but a dream, hard times is all we see. Every block is kinda mean, but on our block we still pray.” — “Living life is but a dream, hard times is all we see. Every block is kinda mean, but on our block we still pray.��

Dyllon Burnside

We left it all on the stage today. 110%!!!

Dyllon Burnside

“Give me a paper and pen so I can write about my life of sin.” — “Give me a paper and pen so I can write about my life of sin.��

Dyllon Burnside

“No sh*t I look good. I’m tight where I’m supposed to be and soft where I should.” — “No sh*t I look good. I’m tight where I’m supposed to be and soft where I should.��

Dyllon Burnside

It feels great to walk out every night, see the smiling faces, and hear from those who have been touched and inspired by our show. I love my job! Come see us at the Palace. Holler if ya hear us!

Dyllon Burnside

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Written by and directed by , Holler If Ya Hear Me features slam poet, actor, singer and musician ("Slam") as John with (In the Heights, ) as Vertus, (Motown, Fela!) as Corinne, (Matilda) as Griffy, Tony nominee (Radio Golf) as Street Preacher, (Brownsville Song [b side for Tray] at ) as Darius, Dyllon Burnside ("Prison Break") as Anthony and Tony winner (Jelly's Last Jam; Caroline, or Change; Play On!) as Mrs. Weston.

Rounding out the cast are (), (Fela!), (three-time World Hip Hop Champion), (Shrek national tour), , (danced for Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj), (Neighbors at The Public), (Bare Off-Broadway), (Wicked), (The Book of Mormon national tour), (Baby It's You), (freestyle Krump performer), , ("American Idol"), (Spider-Man Turn off the Dark), Charlene "Chi Chi" Smith, (Ruined Off-Broadway), Donald Webber, Jr. (Motown) and (). Broadway previews began June 2.

Holler If Ya Hear Me, the world inside Tupac Shakur's music and lyrics, "blazes to life in a non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. Inner city lives struggle for peace against the daily challenges they face in this entertaining and original musical," according to press notes. "Through the poetry of one of the 20th century's most influential and culturally prominent voices, we are given a window into realities of the streets still relevant today."

Joining director Leon (, , The Mountaintop) and author Kreidler (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and direction of How I Learned What I Learned) on the creative team are Tony Award-winning choreographer (Wicked, , How to Succeed��, Aida, Sweet Charity) and musical supervisor (Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk; The Color Purple; Memphis).

Other members of the creative team includes scenic designer (The Other Place, Shatner's World) based on original concepts by ; projections designer Zachary G. Borovay (No Man's Land, Waiting for Godot); costume designer Reggie Ray (Stick Fly); lighting designer (Cabaret, Titanic, First Date); and sound designers John Shivers (Kinky Boots) and David Patridge (). Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting (Casa Valentina, The Trip to Bountiful).

Holler If Ya Hear Me is produced on Broadway by Afeni Shakur, Eric L. Gold, Chunsoo Shin, Jessica Green, Marcy Kaplan-Gold and Anita Waxman. The general manager is Richard Martini for KL Management.

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