By Peggy Phillips
Ford Theatre, Los Angeles (The Hollywood Times) – 08/07/2025 – Told her story last night, and we listened.
If I Awaken in Los Angeles was a one-night-only immersive performance at The Ford, produced in partnership with Diane Luby Lane, Get Lit – Words Ignite and the LA Phil; and directed by Gina Belafonte. This wasn’t just a show, it was a love letter to the city, alive with memory, resilience, and identity.
The production fused spoken word, music, dance, film, and live visual art into a unified narrative of Los Angeles, one that highlighted its Indigenous roots, cultural complexity, and enduring spirit. From the opening drumbeats to the final communal chant, every moment felt intentional and alive.
Grammy Award-winning musician Derrick Hodge provided musical direction for a live band, building a sonic landscape that was both cinematic and deeply grounded. Artists including Dante Basco, Luis J. Rodríguez, Jason Chu, Sekou Andrews, YVHIKV of Indigenous hip hop duo T H R O N E, Lev Allan-Blitz, Monique Mitchell and more added their voices to the neighborhoods and histories that often go unheard in mainstream spaces. They spoke not about Los Angeles, they spoke as Los Angeles.
Visually, the production was stunning. Film projections blanketed the stage, showcasing fire-scarred hills, traffic-choked streets, and murals blooming with life. Against this backdrop, dancers moved with purpose, their choreography echoing struggle, celebration, and connection. The Ford’s natural canyon setting made the entire experience feel like it belonged right where it was, under the stars, surrounded by community.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the evening was its urgency. In the wake of devastating wildfires earlier this year, If I Awaken offered space for reflection and collective healing. It didn’t shy away from the pain or politics of the moment, but it also didn’t leave us there. It reminded us that this city, with all its contradictions and collisions, continues to rise through art.
This was not a passive audience. The crowd was fully engaged, clapping, responding, rising to their feet, and ultimately joining in the final call and response that echoed into the hills above Hollywood.
If I Awaken in Los Angeles was a bold reminder that L.A. is not just a city, it’s a living story still being written. And last night, it was told by the voices who know it best.
