Half a decade after the ill-fated death of rap legend, Tupac Shakur, “Up Against the Wind” urge us to remember. Remember the man for his merits and his faults. New playwright Michael Develle Winn succeeds in restoring the ferocity, beauty and youthfulness that a number of cd’s released post-mortem has not been able to duplicate.
Directed by Rosemary K. Andress and presented by an inspired cast from the New York Theatre Workshop, the play is spearheaded by a gutsy and emotional Anthonie Mackey who takes on the role of Tupac Shakur beginning with his arrest on sexual abuse and ending with his murder en route to a party in Las Vegas. Mackie pours himself so entirely into the role that his inability to really spit on the microphone is overlooked and he honestly begins to resemble Pac more and more as the play progresses. By the end, you might actually feel as though Pac is actually on-stage doing his thing. Regardless, you will remember and many will wonder how they ever forgot.
The production, subtitled “a rhapsody imagined from the life of Tupac Shakur”, hits its highest mark by capturing the fire of such an intriguing personality. That fire is where his violent behavior arose from and where his poetic lyrics were formed. Provocative and compelling, his passion drew legions of fans, lovers, and enemies and continues to make him the icon of his age.
For more information send e-mails to info@nytw.org or stop by the New York Theatre Workshop on 79 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery.