NEWARK, N.J. - In a high school auditorium in Newark last week, the finale of a little-known play called Gemini Rising exploded with the amazing sounds of the hip-hop violin.
Known as the “Hip-Hop Violinist,†Grammy award-winning Miri Ben-Ari grew from her reputation and talent as a classical and jazz virtuoso to gain access to the urban mainstream of R&B and hip-hop.
“I had to fly all the way from Israel to the States to study jazz because I wanted to know how to improvise. I came here with no money, no family, no language… And this year I won my first Grammy,†said Ben-Ari
Even as her list of credits with artists like Jay-Z, Wynton Marsalis, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Patti LaBelle and Janet Jackson grows, Ben-Ari is continuing to work on what she calls her “craft.â€
“My message is so much about discipline, about practicing, about not giving up your dream. If you really believe in something you should go ahead and pursue it. I was so drawn to music that I wanted to get what I wanted to get, no matter what,†said Ben-Ari.
The Show
The off-Broadway play that Ben-Ari appeared in, Gemini Rising, was in progress of becoming a mainstream play in New York City until the aftermath of 9-11 deflated the local tourism industry. Play producers are currently in the works of getting the play another shot at Broadway for the 2006 season.
The story centers around a deejay named Gemini who is struggling to make his mark in the hip-hop music world, and the trials, tribulations and joys of Gemini and those closest to him.
While the story attempts to draw the audience in, the music and dance performances woven throughout are what stand out. The play uses its music and dance acts to create a “show within a show.†It is these clever windows for cameo performances that brought musicians and performers, like Miri Ben-Ari, to the stage.
By showcasing the talents of people like Ben-Ari through several scenes that take place at a hip-hop club called “Mass Appeal,†the story manages to get the audience involved. During these club scenes, people in the theater seats find themselves playing the part of a Friday night crowd assembled for a series of small venue concerts set inside of the club.
Other guest performers have included legendary tap dancer Savion Glover, the dance troupe trio Hip Hop Soljerz, and scores of both recognized and more obscure local talent.
The play’s themes of life struggles, hard work and discipline, and persistence in the face of difficulty seemed to be embodied by Ben-Ari when she strode onto the stage of Gemini Rising for her performance last week.
While her vibrant playing wowed the audience, the story of her life and career also aptly summed up the play’s message. Ben-Ari said, “You gotta believe, you gotta believe.â€
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