Written by David Lamb, Directed by Summerhill Seven, Music by Manorail
"I have been to many plays throughout my life, on Broadway, off Broadway, way off Broadway, uptown, downtown, and I have never seen a play as powerful as Auction Block to Hip Hop. "
Mark Riley, Radio Host, WLIB 1190AM
The Producers of Platanos & Collard Greens have created a new must see play! From old school to new, everyone can relate to From Auction Block to Hip Hop.
It is set on the night a Hip Hop mogul, whose name is Set Fo' Life!, wins numerous awards for his multi-platinum album Pimpin' Ain't Easy. On this night, Set is visited by three ghosts.
The Spirit of the Ancestors takes him back to his own ancestors, his great great great Grandmother and Grandfather who are leading a slave revolt, his own mother and father and how they fell in love as Black Panthers in the 1960s. Then we see him as a college student fall in love with a beautiful sister at an anti-apartheid protest. So we see his roots and the women and men from which he comes. But then we see him move in the other direction, deciding that rather than be the one to fight the system he will sell out and join the system by becoming a Hip Hop producer who sells stereotypes of Black women, and of course he blows up! Then Set must choose between redemption and damnation. The end will blow you away.
All tickets are $35.50 (which includes the $1 Theater Facility Fee). Seating is General Admission. Playing at Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th Street (between Park and Madison)
SHOW TIMES
Sunday, July 26th @3:00pm (Featuring as part of the cast RAQIYAh from The 98.7 KISS FM D.L. Hughley Morning Show)
Sunday, August 30th @3:00pm (Featuring as part of the cast RAQIYAH from the 98.7 KISS FM D.L. Hughley Morning Show
Saturday, October 3rd @4:30pm
TO GET YOUR TICKETS
ONLINE
BY PHONE
Call 212-307-4100
IN PERSON
Tickets can also be purchased in person with cash or credit cards at a Tickemaster Outlet - click here to get Retail TicketMaster Locations 
and also directly at the Box Office, at Florence Gould Hall, located at 55 E. 59th Street (Between Park and Madison Avenues). The box office is open Tuesdays to Fridays noon to 7pm and Saturdays noon to 4pm.
Box Office Line for Wheelchair Accommodations: 212-355-6160 x8.
Regular ticket price is $34.50 (plus a $1 Theater Facility Fee). Seating is General Admission.
Groups of 15 or more receive $5 off per tix.
Groups of 30 or more receive $8 off per tix.
Groups of 50 or more receive $10 off per tix
Attached is the Ticket Order Form for Platanos and Collard Greens that you can print.
Please download it here: Ticket Order Form
Complete and send with your check or credit card number to the box office. We are very excited that your group is coming!!
Ticket Order Form Instructions:
1. Complete the top section with your name and organization information.
2. On the Tickets Section
(a) The Event is Auction Block to Hip Hop
(b) Fill in the DATE AND TIME that you would like.
(c) Fill in the quantity of tickets that you would like.
(d) Fill in on the Price line the price of the tix: $34.50
(e) Complete the total column.
3. In the totals section:
(a) Insert the Ticket Subtotal
(b) You can skip to the Group Discount Line and here subtract the total amount of your group discount.
- Groups of 15 or more receive a discount of $5 Off per Ticket
- Groups of 30 or more receive a discount of $8 Off per Ticket
- Groups of 50 or more receive a discount of $10 Off per Ticket
SO FOR EXAMPLE,
if you are purchasing 15 tickets regularly priced at $34.50,then you write
15 in the quantity column,
$35.50 (to include the $1 theater facility fee) in the price column on the non-member line,
and $532.50 in the total column.
Then on the Group Discount line, you will write -$75 (which reflects the $5 discount per ticket for 15 tickets).
Complete the math, including adding the one time $5 handling fee to arrive at your Grand Total.
So in this example your Grand Total would be $462.50.
4. Fill in your credit card information or enclose your check and send to the box office via fax, in person, or mail, as indicated on the bottom of the form.
5. Please indicate at the bottom of the form whether you want the tickets held at the box office or mailed to you.
Special Notes:
Seats are not held/reserved until purchased/payment is received by the box office.
Once payment is received, tickets are issued, and there are no refunds, exchanges, or cancellations.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions, and we will see you at the theater! The box office line is 212-355-6160 ext. 8
Jamillah Lamb
Between The Lines Productions, Inc.
Phone: 646-522-4348
Fax: 718-857-1410
E-mail: choldit@aol.com
Web: www.platanosandcollardgreens.com
Auction Block to Hip Hop is perfect for experiencing the excitement of theatre that speaks from now across generations. It is hip hop theatre at its best. It specifically is about combating the degrading messages directed toward women of color in the media in general and hip hop in particular. The powerful message in Auction Block resonates with male and female audiences of all ages and backgrounds and leaves them entertained, educated and inspired.
"...the actors were excellent ... I highly recommend this show to any community that has a large number of young people who are influenced by rap."
Dr. Forest Wortham, Director of Multicultural Programs at Wittenberg University
"Very thought provoking. We had quite a large crowd. The student sreally enjoyed it."
Sandy Cummings, Office of Student Activities, Mohawk Valley Community College
"A must see play. A very powerful ending ."
Ida Tyson, Assistant Director of Equal Opportunity Office, Rider University
Review - Brown University
Auction Block has been performed at:
Rider University
University of Illinois - Champaign Urbana
Pace University
Wittenberg University
Mohawk Valley Community College
Denison University
New York Institute of Technology
Albertus Magnus College
Stonehill College
University of Delaware
Haverford College
State University of New York-Old Westbury
Appalachian State University
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Depauw University
Marist College
University of Tennessee-Knoxville
University of Denver
Vanderbilt University
The New School
To bring From Auction Block to Hip Hop to your college or university, please contact us at 646-522-4348 or email us at david@platanosandcollardgreens.com.
"Auction block should be experienced first hand, it has funny scenes, moments that make one reflect, and a powerful message that women should receive the utmost respect." Linda Armstrong, Theater Critic, The Amsterdam News
"Funny, Inspiring, Unforgettable!" The Courier Times
"Carries the audience from tears to laughter...with humor and insight...rarely has a play evoked such emotions..worth far more than the ticket price. Auction Block to Hip Hop is a must see production." Gioya McRae, Caribbean Life
"I HAVE BEEN TO MANY PLAYS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, ON BROADWAY, OFF BROADWAY, WAY OFF BROADWAY, UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PLAY AS POWERFUL AS AUCTION BLOCK TO HIP HOP. "
Mark Riley, Radio Host, WLIB 1190AM
"See Auction Block to Hip Hop NOW!"
Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
Audience Reactions
"Enlightening, On Point, Perfect for THE TIMES" Audience Member
"Wow! Wonder of Wonders. I cried, I laughed, I have been moved to my very core. Thank-you!" Audience Member
Telephone: (646)522-4348
E-mail: david@platanosandcollardgreens.com
How long is the show?
Auction Block is approximately 1.5 hours long. There is no intermission.
What age is Auction Block appropriate for?
The subject matter in Auction Block is geared for a mature audience. Teenagers are welcome with parents.
How do I get to the theatre?
Florence Gould Hall is located at 55 E. 59th Street (between Park and Madison).
By Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4 or Q31 to 59th St. Or M5 to 58th St.
By Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 59th & Lexington; N, R to 59th & 5th Ave.; E to 53rd St.
Is there parking nearby?
1) There is a parking lot which costs $20 on the weekend as long as you exit before midnight. This lot is a Central Parking System garage located at 109 East 58th Street. It is on the north side of 58th Street (between Park and Lexington) - it will be on your left as you are driving down 58th Street and is about 2 1/2 blocks from the theater. The number is 212-688-5040.
OR
2) There are serveral other garages in the area, including one located on 59th Street (between 5th and Madison) - however the discount does not apply to this garage. There is also a website that you can use to find the least expensive parking rates in the area based on when you plan to attend the show - it is www.nyc.bestparking.com.
What time should I arrive at the theatre?
Doors open 30-minutes before show time. We recommend you arrive at least 15-minutes before show time.
Is the theatre handicapped accessible?
Yes, for wheelchair accommodations at Florence Gould Hall please call 212-355-6160 x8.
Are there discounts for groups?
Groups of 15+ save $5 to $10 per ticket. For more info please call 646-522-4348.