Ladies, and gentlemen — a standing ovation for FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME (FLS).
And what is FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME conceived by Anthony Veneziale and created by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Veneziale, and produced by Kail, Miranda, Jenny & Jon Steingart, and Jill Furman?
There’s no telling what might happen at FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, the improv show is a blend of hip-hop, improvisational theater, music, and vocal stylings because every show is different.
In name and beyond, FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME pays homage to John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," with a nod to musical roots in jazz, soul, blues, and hip-hop.
Currently playing at Booth Theatre (222 W. 45th Street) until January 2, 2022, the performers take non-stop action spinning suggestions from the audience and shaping them into humorous instantaneous songs and riffs, and fully realized musical numbers. These gifted people miss nothing, and the mind-blowing vocals of the performers - rock you right out of your seat, whether your listening to rapping, singing, beat-boxing, powerful harmonies, or a freestyle flow and all this is backed by music from keyboards and human percussion.
FLS has a cast of rotating performers at every show, but there are some stand-out stars who appear nightly including Anthony Veneziale, aka Two Touch, the host for the evening. Surprise if the nature of the show, and at other performances, fans might catch Wayne Brady, Daveed Diggs, Kaila Mullady and Utkarsh Ambudkar, even Miranda himself shows up from time to time. In short, audiences witness genius on the Booth Theatre stage.
Despite each performance being different, there is a foundation under the
90-minute experience. The cast, under the lead of Two Touch, take suggestions from the audience and then freestyle rap a variety of stories and characters based on the words provided by the audience.
This is adrenaline-fueled, walking-on-the-tight-rope excitement where everything is created on the spot. The skill that these performers wield is nothing short of miraculous. I’ve seen this show twice, and nothing was repeated. It’s beyond impressive.
There is no question why FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME earned a 2020 Special Tony Award® and why Rolling Stone calls the intermission-less show — “pure joy.”
Watch the Tony Award closing performance performed by FLS here.
The return of Broadway in the wake of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic is an experience, and the management team makes it their business to protect the audience, production team, and performers. Wearing a mask during a performance might be a unique experience, but it’s important to ensure the safety of all involved.
To wit, during the performance one of the performers broke down and shared his experience of getting COVID-19, twice and admitted to experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the impact the virus had on his body, and mind.
Now you might ponder, because I did, how the creative team would be able to find such dynamic and well-trained thespians that could blend improv storytelling with hip-hop? But the folks that created the show took another step to find, and train the best and they created — wait for it — Freestyle Love Supreme Academy.
Yes, you did read that correctly.
Freestyle Love Supreme Academy is the premier improv hip-hop school created and run directly by Freestyle Love Supreme members, in partnership with long-time FLS producers Kail, Miranda, Ars Nova founders Jenny and Jon Steingart, and Hamilton co-producer Jill Furman. People from all backgrounds and levels of skill are welcomed into this joyful, creative community.
In my book, this is true innovation because it’s making those important moves to ensure that the show grows, and growth is everything in art.
For more information on Freestyle Love Supreme Academy fall virtual classes, please visit https://fls.academy.
Now on Broadway, FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME is directed by Thomas Kail and produced by Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jenny, and Jon Steingart, and Jill Furman. It features set design by Beowulf Boritt; costume design by Lisa Zinni; lighting design by Jeff Croiter; and sound design by Nevin Steinberg. Andy Jones and James Hickey are Executive Producers. General Management provided by Baseline Theatrical. Production Stage Manager/Associate Director Cody Renard Richard.
There will be a limited number of $25 lottery tickets offered per performance. Tickets can be purchased at Telecharge (212) 239-6300 or www.Telecharge.com. (Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission.) Sign up for updates at www.freestylelovesupreme.com.
Sign up for updates at www.freestylelovesupreme.com.
Twitter: @FreestyleLove
Facebook: @FreestyleLoveSupreme
Instagram: @FreestyleLoveSupreme
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