Dice Raw’s hip-hop musical The Last Jimmy will show at the Prince Theater next month

After the death of the Prince Theater’s board chairman and chief fundraiser, Herb Lotman, it seemed that the theater would be closing its doors for good. But next month, the Prince will be showcasing a new hip-hop musical, “THE LAST JIMMY!”

A stage performance created by local playwright Phillip Brown in collaboration rapper and Roots affiliate Dice Raw, it is based in part on Dice’s socially-charged Jimmy’s Back mixtape, which is a call-to-arms against mass incarceration. In turn, the mixtape and musical were inspired by Dr. Michelle Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow, a study of race and the American prison system. 

Dice Raw wrote original music and lyrics for the production and original choreography was created by Rennie Harris. The play hosted sold-out performances last year at both the Kimmel Center, as well as The Freedom Theater in North Philadelphia. After the musical’s productions at Prince, the show will go on a US tour to Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

The show will run at the Prince Theater March 18 through 21, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door and $60 for VIP and reception; more information can be found here.