In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Trenton, N.J.’s, only professional theater company is paying homage to the Poor Righteous Teachers.
Trenton’s first superstar hip-hop group—the philosophers and messengers for good and for the ‘hood—inspired Passage Theatre Company’s upcoming show, “Ghetto Gods in Divineland,” a brand-new play co-written by Richard Bradford and Anthony Martinez-Briggs and directed by Ozzie Jones.
“Ghetto Gods in Divineland” is an experimental afrofuturism play that will portray a vision of Trenton and Trenton’s political and social issues through the lens of the “Divineland” neighborhood — also known as the Mayor Donnelly Project Homes, where the members of PRT met and grew up.
The play dramatizes the social trauma of Trenton’s Divineland using progressiveness, modern science, technology and wisdom from the ancestors. The play seeks to bring awareness to these issues, how they’ve affected the community, and show the lengths to which its residents will go for their truth to be heard — all skillfully presented with hip-hop beats and lyrics evoking the rich history of the Poor Righteous Teachers. Passage Theatre has cast an impressive group of performers for the production.
Tasha Holmes, most recently seen in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at the Ritz Theatre, has been cast in “Ghetto Gods in Divineland” as Gekiyla, an observant horticulturist with a penchant for urban foraging. Davon Cochran joins her on stage as Ameen, Gekiyla’s younger brother, a passionate activist. Rounding out the principal trio is Theatre in the X co-Artistic Director Carlo Campbell playing the role of Papi Shh, a neo-soul ‘hood spiritualist, and Gekiyla and Ameen’s lifelong friend.
Completing the cast are the eponymous Ghetto Gods, portrayed by Alicia Thomas and Craig Storrod. The Ghetto Gods play multiple roles throughout the piece but primarily serve as narrators and residents of Divineland. Alicia Thomas was recently featured in “Motherless,” a new play by Cherise Kimoy, and Craig Storrod performed in “Rent” at Theatre Unspeakable.
“Ghetto Gods in Divineland’s” world premiere will run for 12 weekend performances, Thursdays through Sundays, from Feb. 8 to 25. Tickets and information are at https://www.passagetheatre.org.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
