World Premiere Event

Parental Advisory:
a breakbeat play

September 26 – October 29, 2023

By Idris Goodwin
Directed by Kyle Haden

Stiemke Studio

Approximate Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission
Recommended Age: 16 and up

A Celebration of Hip-Hop, Humor and Fatherhood

In this high-energy World Premiere by award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam), two Hip-Hop artists mix slick beats and rhymes with important questions about parenthood and expression in popular music. This new play – half DJ jam session, half TED Talk – uses live music, humor and a bit of modern pop culture history to explore what it’s like being a father and the important choices we make for our families. Through an innovative style of storytelling, this play asks: at what age is it appropriate to introduce our children to the uncertainties of life – however controversial they may be.

"[Idris Goodwin's] plays are an intoxicating mix of hip-hop and social history.” – American Theatre

A John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program Production

Executive Producers
Margaret Dethloff & Terri Zeh • Rhonda & Greg Oberland

The Stiemke Studio Season is presented by Four-Four Foundation

TalkBacks

Wednesday evenings following the 7:30pm performance:
October 11

Special Dates

Early Bird Performance
Tuesday, October 3, 6:30pm

Audio Described Performance
Thursday, October 12, 7:30pm

Resources

Program

PlayGuide

Music Credits

“Nickel Bags”
Performed by Digable Planets
Written by Ishmael Butler (BMI), Mary Ann Viera (BMI), Curtis Mayfield (BMI)
Courtesy of Capitol Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises

“Colors”
Performed by Ice-T
Written by Charles Andrew Glenn (ASCAP), Tracy Lauren Marrow (ASCAP)
Under license from Rhino Entertainment Company

“6 ‘n the Mornin”
Performed by Ice-T
Written by Charles Andrew Glenn (ASCAP), Tracy Lauren Marrow (ASCAP)
Under license from Rhino Entertainment Company

“Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)”
Performed by Wu-Tang Clan
Written by Dennis Coles (BMI), Robert Diggs (BMI), Gary Grice (ASCAP), Lamont Hawkins (ASCAP), Jason Hunter (BMI), Russell Jones (BMI), Clifford Smith (BMI), Corey Woods (BMI)
Under license from Sony Music Entertainment

“P.S.K. What Does It Mean”?
Performed by Schoolly D
Written by Jesse Bonds Weaver Jr. (BMI)
Under license from Sony Music Entertainment

Music Clearances by Music Rightz, inc.

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Reviews

“★★★★"
"Timely, thought-provoking, engaging, entertaining and fun.”

AroundTownChicago

“Asks big questions as it exudes love of hip-hop…one of the friendliest stage shows I've seen in some time.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“A one of a kind show about hip-hop’s place in American culture.”

UrbanMilwaukee

"High-energy, creative and thought-provoking [with] exceptionally fine performances. Riveting and heartfelt... a must see.”

Shepherd Express

Artists

Creative Team

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Events

Free Hip Hop Workshops

Sept. 13, 20 and 27, 5pm – 7pm
Arts@Large, 1100 S. 5th Street

Learn about how to create your own music, beats, poems and songs with music artist Kiran Vedula (pictured) in these free community workshops. Hosted at his studio at Arts @ Large, Kiran will work with teens and adults to explore the history and community spirit of Hip-Hop. Participants will be invited to share their work at one of our Open Mic nights after Parental Advisory on October 4 or 18.

Special Performance and Post-Show Panel

Tuesday, October 10
Part of the Milwaukee Film 2023 Cultures & Communities Festival

Join us for a special pre-show reception (6pm), performance of Parental Advisory (7:30pm) and a post-show panel in the Stiemke Studio as Milwaukee Rep is proud to participate in Milwaukee Film’s 2023 Cultures & Communities Festival. Cost for the entire evening it just $30* with code: FILM.

Join us after the performance for the post-show panel:
Speaking of Legacy: A Conversation about Hip-Hop's Past, Present & Future

Panelists include moderator Geraud Blanks, Milwaukee Film Chief Innovation Officer; Element Everest-Blanks, HYFIN Music Director and Radio Milwaukee On-air Host; Dameon Ellzey, political activist and MC; Kyle Ashley, Community Engagement Director.

Geraud Blanks

Element Everest-Blanks

Dameon Ellzey

Kyle Ashley

Buy Tickets to Oct. 10

Open Mic Nights

Wed. Oct 4 and 18, post-show

Open mic nights allow members of our community to share their own art. This can be in the form of poetry, music, dance or storytelling. Open mic nights happen after the performance of Parental Advisory. Hosted by music artist Kiran Vedula, we welcome you to share your own art!

Buy Tickets to Oct. 4

Buy Tickets to Oct. 18

Post-Show Panel

Parenting, Censorship, and the Expectation of Children
Wednesday, October 25

Listen to intergenerational perspectives as we explore the expectations and the reality of being a young person now versus in the 1990s. How has childhood changed in the span of the last 20 years? How has parenting shifted over this time period? What kind of pressures do parents face when thinking about censorship? Panelists include moderator Shalina Ali, Co-Executive Director & Director of Programs TRUE Skool, Inc.; Genene Hibbler, Founder & Executive Director of Heart 2 Heart Compassionate Widow's Circles, Inc.; Sanaiah Hibbler, NNMC Milwaukee Regionalist Winner 2023; Elizabeth Brown, Amani United President; Zoe Chambers, Milwaukee Rep Teen Council Member.