The fatal police shooting of a talented but troubled young DJ irrevocably changes the lives of his three friends. The future of their once promising hip-hop group is now in jeopardy. Can these troubled poets salvage their dreams in the face of this tragedy?

Urban ink productions, in association with Black Theatre Workshop, presents the Vancouver premiere of “Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy of”at the Roundhouse Performance Centre in Yaletown, Vancouver, from May 22 – 31 2014.

Written by Montreal native and Vancouver resident Omari Newton and directed by urban ink Artistic Director Diane Roberts, the play was inspired by the loss of unarmed youth Fredy Villanueva in a police shooting six years ago in Montreal. Following the ensuing protest, the playwright was compelled to investigate the complex relationship between socially and culturally marginalized youth and the police, and the pressures they face while trying to reconcile the violence that impacts their lives. Sal Capone adds an essential voice to this timely and relevant conversation.

The play follows a young hip-hop group caught in the aftermath of a violent police shooting. Struggling to cope with the death of one of their members, the group confronts issues of their own biases, racism and a distrust of authority. Sal Capone evokes the urgency of youth struggling to find their place in the world through an energetic mix of hip-hop, spoken word and experimental sound and video. 

Tickets are $12 - $25 and available at www.salcapone.brownpapertickets.com.