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Feb 8 - 18 2018

Henry Box Brown: A Hip Hop Musical

Bonnell Auditorium at Community College of Philadelphia Get Directions
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What would you do for freedom? Statuesque Henry "Box" Brown spent 27 hours folded into a 3’ x 2’8” x 2' wooden box, in which he mailed himself from slavery in Virginia to freedom in Philadephia. This earned him the nickname "Box."

In this hip hop musical, Grammy-award nominee Karl "Dice Raw" Jenkins, best known for his collaboration with The Roots, introduces us to Box and tells a different slave narrative. We meet a real person, who is deeply flawed, highly talented and limitlessly resilient.

The show begins after Box has commenced his travel and is earning fame as a performer, capitalizing on his journey to entertain audiences and speak out about slavery. For Box is not just a slave fighting for his freedom, but a multi-talented man who reads and writes poetry, practices magic and hypnotism, and sings in a church choir. He travels the world extensively, and takes a stand against slavery.

Box’s story, however, doesn’t end with his success on the stage. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required that fugitive slaves be turned in and sent back to slavery, caused Box to go underground. Box once again fled for his freedom, moving to Europe, where he lived for several decades. His final act is unknown. He was last seen onstage in Ontario, Canada in 1889, but reports of his death there have not been confirmed.

Jenkins, who shares Box’s large build, stars in the show. His co-stars include Minister Jamie Wright, formerly an artist on Jay-Z’s record label, and Gina Zo, of West Chester, who made headlines locally when she drew the attention of Blake Shelton as a contestant during the tenth season of “The Voice.”

Thursday, February 8th, 7:00pm

Friday, February 9th, 11:00am & 7:00pm

Saturday, February 10th, 7:00pm

Sunday, February 11th, 7:00pm

Thursday, February 15th, 7:00pm

Friday, February 16th, 11:00am & 7:00pm

Saturday, February 17th, 7:00pm

Sunday, February 18th, 7:00pm

Details

Director & Narrative
Philip S. Brown
Music co-writers
Karl "Dice Raw" Jenkins
Show Type
Philly Theatre Week

Tickets

GET TICKETS - $15
Venue
Bonnell Auditorium at Community College of Philadelphia
556 N 17th St
Philadelphia, PA 19130
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