How We Got On- Humana Festival play 2

Hip hop lives in the world around us, from living rooms to the downtown school bus. Many rappers go uncharted, and now I know how young rap started. If you wanna know how I received this info, keep on reading then go see the show.

How We Got On is a coming of age tale about three Midwestern suburbanites in the 80’s who learn about music, life, and determination all through the use of rap. Even though I was not exposed to rap until the mid 90’s, being from the Midwest, I felt strange whenever I listened to it. I grew up in a town with a day dedicated to kids driving their tractors to school. Even though rap was more popular in the 90’s, I felt a strange feeling listening to this style of music while driving past cornfields. My classmates were more interested in listening to the country genre, so I sort of stuck out in my musical preferences. After seeing this show, I really got a sense of exactly how different these kids felt when listening to music that was not the “popular” choice.

Bingham Theatre is flooded with bass bumping music as the audience enters. A funky fresh Selector, also known as a DJ, is spinning the beats and dancing along in her own world. The set is very minimal with a few wooden crates on the floor, a few grates in the center of the stage, steel benches along the sides, and different flooring patterns that lead to exits. Many people are enjoying the music playing, but everyone is interested in this big haired woman spinning the turn tables.

Once everyone is seated the Selector takes us on an imaginary time travel back to 1988 in a little place called the Hill. The Selector becomes the narrator of the story, and also does the voices for any adult characters. We soon meet Hank, a 15-year-old African American who moved from the city to the Hill and is seemingly the only freestyler in the area. That is until “Vic, Vicious” aka Julian challenges him to a battle. After realizing both guys have a skill that the other doesn’t, the boys decide to become a duo with Hank writing the lyrics and Julian laying down the tracks. Through the struggles of collaboration the boys seem to be making progress when unexpected interferences keep popping up. The disapproval of their families becomes harder to bear, when Luann gives insight that changes the guys’ view on life.

Being from the Midwest, I really enjoyed seeing this distinctive play through the eyes of kids trying to overcome adversity. I understood how difficult it was for the characters to try and introduce this style of music to their small town. There were live rapping performances that really made one feel like they were at a concert. Impressive beat boxing was also a large part of these rap breaks. Even though this play was side-splittingly funny with quick banter and lyrical battles, there were also moments that make your heart hurt. The massive disapproval from all the parents, and the encouragement to actually do “something” was really sad. The downside to this show would have to be the unresolved ending. The play seems to build to this magnitude of emotion, and then it just ends. I was left hungry for more, or at the least, some sort of resolution.

I give this play 4.5 out of 5 bells. The live rap performances, costumes, and hilarious lines earn this show a high score, but the open ending made it fall short from a perfect show.