Def Poetry Jam takes 'encore'

By MATTHEW RUIZ - Gainesville Sun
 

When Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam hits the stage Sunday night at the Phillips Center, it would be safe to say that many will not know what to expect.

The 90-minute show consists of award-winning poets such as Ishle Yi Park (poet laureate of Queens, N.Y.) reading original poetry in a dramatic and sometimes musical fashion; it will even feature a DJ.

"It's a completely unique theater experience," Park said in a recent interview. "It's full of music, great poetry and provoking, challenging thought. It will leave you thinking as you leave the theater."

Started by rap mogul Simmons as a Broadway production that evolved into an HBO series, Def Poetry Jam has seen its share of success, winning a Tony Award in 2003 for Best Theatrical Event. Stan Lathan, who directed the Tony-winning production, is on board to direct the current 51-city "encore" tour, which extends through December.

But Def Poetry Jam is the collective work of many different people, especially the poets.

"Def Poetry Jam was created to lend a voice to the voiceless," said Bruce George, executive producer of the TV series' first two seasons. "In comparison to other expressions such as rap, spoken word was invisible, despite the fact that poets have always been the cajolers of history."

The show has found a unique way of blending hip-hop - poetry's musical cousin - with the written and spoken word, not to mention using hip-hop's current mainstream popularity to sell its commodity. Taking the show on the road from Broadway gives the spoken-word subculture, which is alive and well in New York City, a chance to expand across the country, said longtime fan and Archer resident Steven Jannsen.

"I was lucky enough to catch the show on Broadway last year, and I was completely blown away," Jannsen said. "This show has the potential to break down so many cultural walls ... It's the only place you'll find a 'thugged-out' black male and an old white woman moved to tears by the words of a young Asian girl."

The young Asian girl Jannsen speaks of is Park, who has quickly made a name for herself performing at New York open mics, poetry slams and now Def Poetry Jam. Born and raised in Queens, Park makes a living performing at colleges and teaching workshops; she is currently taking a leave of absence from her graduate studies at New York University to participate in the tour.

"I feel so lucky to be a part of it because so many different talented people from such diverse backgrounds came together to put (on) this show," Park said. "It's really quite incredible. I think what our show does is bring our voices to America, so everybody can see that we very much are part of the fabric of our country."