BEATBOX: A RAPARETTA

October 28, 29, November 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12

All shows at 8:00PM except November 6 at 7:00PM

Read the reviews here...

Tommy Shepherd and Dan Wolf

This critically acclaimed play is performed by the renowned theatre and music group Felonious: onelovehiphop. Written in rhyme and accompanied by beatbox (vocal drum beats) and DJ Raw B (the San Francisco DJ best known for producing the underground Hip Hop show Beatsauce on KUSF), the story focuses on the struggle of two brothers, Mickey Finch (Soulati) and Tet (Infinite Tunga Brown), and their friends to rise above the challenge of the conditions they have been dealt in life.

The Story

Mickey Finch has raised his stepbrother, Tet, since the death of their parents when Tet was very young. They form a devoted team, earning their way in life as fiercely committed Hip Hop street performers, working for spare change. Meanwhile, Malloy has his own thing going on, he is taking down the story of his neighborhood and writing a play. When Finch's former partner, Zac, returns to town, the two re-form as a new act, leaving Tet feeling rejected and at loose ends. Tet goes into a downward spiral of anger and violence leading the play to its gripping, heartwrenching finale.

Why Hip Hop at Cinnabar?

While Cinnabar has achieved wide acclaim over the past 34 years for our operas and classic theater, we were so knocked out by the sheer brilliance and dynamic energy of this troupe of musicians/actors that we just had to bring them to Cinnabar for the benefit of our Northbay audience.

You may have the idea that Hip Hop is all about violence, anger and misogyny. While this is what is often played on the radio, it is not what the real Hip Hop artists are about. For the most part they promote “positivity,” owning and taking responsibility for one’s own life. While Beatbox does have some hard language in it, the message is a very positive one.

'Beatbox' is hip-hop, theater, all in one. Changeable 'Raparetta' blends music, drama at Cinnabar Theater " The band...has been recognized as SF Weekly's best hip-hop band in 2000 and as the Bay Guardian's best hip-hop group in 2004.... The result is a production dubbed "Beatbox: A Raparetta," which has been performed all over the Bay Area as well as in Hamburg, Germany. The production opens a string of Cinnabar Theater performances at 8 p.m. Oct. 28.", Shelley Shepherd Klaner, Press Democrat, October 21, 2005

"Thrilling... riveting...exhilarating" (Robert Hurwitt, SF Chronicle), Beatbox speaks to young audiences as well as seasoned theater-goers.

"Theaters across Sonoma County striving to please sophisticated audiences with new, different shows"
"Petaluma's Cinnabar Theater, established 35 years ago primarily to perform classic operas, will present "Beatbox: A Raparetta" later this month, created and performed by the Felonius One Love Hip Hop group from Oakland and DJ Raw of San Francisco.", Dan Taylor, Press Democrat, October 2, 2005.

Single Tickets: $22/$20

Reviews:

'Beatbox' a dramatic melding of rap, opera
Dan Taylor, Press Democrat, Friday, November 4, 2005
"Armed with nothing more than microphones and voices, Shepherd and Aguirre are beatbox virtuosos, using vocal percussion to create beat, rhythm and sound effects. Supplemented by dance, mime and rap lyrics, their work deserves to be called both operatic and dramatic."

Electric Rap
Exciting and original 'Beatbox' is one of year's best shows
November 2-8, 2005 issue of the North Bay Bohemian, by David Templeton
"I encourage even those who think they dislike rap to give this energetic, moving, astoundingly creative show a chance. North Bay theater will only thrive if companies continue to take a chance on daring new material, and they can only afford to take such chances if the regular theater audience shows its support by showing up."