Party People (The Public Theatre) by Universes: Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, William Ruiz a.k.a. Ninja

Although Party People does have fabulous music, a large ensemble cast and some terrific hip-hop beats, it is not about a Saturday night on the town.  The Parties in Party People are the Black Panthers, The Young Lords and The Rainbow Coalition. 

In wanting to tell the stories of their father and uncle, as well as make sense of the past for themselves, second generation (Panther Cub) Malik (Christopher Livingston) and (Young Lord) Jimmy (William Ruiz a.k.a. Ninja) go new school-with an artsy, digital, in-your-face performance art style event.  Both give terrific, high-energy performances.

The story segues, seamlessly, between several time periods and situations.  There is the current event; to which several of the 60’s radicals are invited—some of whom are still carrying grudges decades old;  interviews with members of the parties, flashbacks of actual occurrences and the trouble the boys are having making themselves truly heard and understood by family and Party elders.

The voices ring and rise and soar.  Though all are terrific, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp as Helita sings beautifully enough to stand out.

Timely and timeless the subject matter is Pointed, Powerful, Political, and Poetic.  Hail to the Party People!