The star-crossed lovers' tale has been told and retold many times, but the newest version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet places break-dancing Montegues and hip hopping Capulets on the streets of Philadelphia, where choreographer Lorenzo "Rennie" Harris attempts to modernize the timeless tale in "Rome and Jewels."
Harris' all-male African-American hip hop company, Rennie Harris Puremovement, will perform the piece today through Saturday in the Moore Theater at 8 p.m.
However, don't expect an orthodox rendition.
Rapping and B-boying will replace sonnets and sword-play, and the dramatic deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio will be substituted by those of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., modern alternatives indicative of Harris' belief that hip hop is "the expression of a new generation."
Indeed, Ozzie Jones' narration of the performance fuses Shakesperean English with Ebonic dialect, emphasizing what Harris perceives as the Bard's inherent connection to all of us. "Shakespeare was like you and me," he explained in a director's note to the Hop.
Another major plot change is the conspicuous physical absence of the Jewels character. According to Harris, the artistic omission allows him to place much of the emphasis on Rome's emotional metamorphosis -- one in which he must shift his conception of reality in order to transcend spiritual constraints. Indeed, the plot focuses on Rome's realization and eventual acceptance of his destiny.
The fast-paced dance marathon has won critical acclaim from coast to coast, but may not be appropriate for all audiences. Beware of crotch-grabbing and indecent language; Harris has attempted to convey the behavior that characterizes the rough streets of the city of brotherly love.
RHPM reaches out to the Philadelphia community through the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Center and has made a significant impact on at-risk youth. They also host an annual hip hop festival that attracts big names from the national dance community each year.
Via hip hop, the troupe's mission is to communicate what they see as universal themes that extend beyond the boundaries of racial, religious, economic and social differences. With this new mindset, the troupe has performed to sold-out audiences at national and international venues since its inception in 1992.
The success of his dance company contrasts sharply with Harris' humble beginnings in Philly, where he started dancing by imitating the steps he saw on the popular TV program "Soul Train."
But he's come a long way. Since then, he's received a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for choreography as well as numerous accolades from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. He was recently nominated one of the most influential people in the last one hundred years of Philadelphia history, and critics have compared him to modern day dance legend Alvin Ailey.
Hip hop dancing found its roots in the South Bronx of New York City in 1960's. It was especially prevalent in the African- and Latin-American communities, each of which inspired many of its steps. The hip hop culture does not limit itself strictly to dancing, however. Other elements such as rapping, Djing and graffiti arts are an integral part of the movement. The proliferation of these features as legitimate art forms still helps to cultivate a sense of pride, beauty and self respect in urban neighborhoods.
