Oct 16, 2008

In collaboration with childhood friend and Clay creator Matt Sax, IF analyst Johnny Williams composed and produced several songs for this "exuberantly entertaining tour de force" (Variety). Clay traces the trials of Clifford, an aspiring MC who must overcome divorce and death at an early age. With guidance from Sir John, the show's narrator and Clifford's mentor, the audience is taken on an elaborate flashback told in song by several characters. Sax deftly morphs in and out of each role, one moment channeling Clifford's abusive, workaholic father, the next his smoking, suicidal mother. With hip-hop's reputation in flux, the show is refreshing evidence that as an art-form, it is just getting started.

Read the full New York Times review>>