I just returned from seeing "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway." I feel at an utter loss for words to explain it. A brief story of my day, leading up to the experience of this amazing, amazing, amazing show.

My History of Theatre Architecture class visited the Ford Center for Performing Arts today. As long as I was up in the theatre district, I thought I might see if I could score tickets for a show.

While I'm not normally a fan of "THE BROADWAY MUSICAL," my first stop was the Marriot Marquis Theatre to see a man about some Millie. The lead actress in this show (Thoroughly Modern Millie) blew me away with her ass-kicking ability to sing better than anyone else ever, and I saw her perform one number. On television.

While I'm still a student, I want to only pay like a student. Millie's student-rush tickets were all gone, however. (Another time... I guess maybe it's worth getting up early one day out of my life to get cheap theatre tickets.)

Across the street, the majestic TKTS booth! Half-price tickets for Broadway shows! I waited in that line for just under an hour before I saw that they did not accept credit cards. I, as usual, had no cash. I stepped out of line, slightly dejected, and walked away.

Walking past 48th St. I saw the Longacre... now I've been really wanting to see Def Poetry Jam so I hopped over to see if they were rushing students.

They said "How many did you want?" I said "Hmm... two?" (figuring I could find somebody in this city that wanted a cheap theatre ticket) I got the last two student rush tickets! Woo!

The tickets were labelled "Row AA," which I assumed meant that I was in the 27th row. This seems only logical. But when Ashe (I found someone!) and I were being escorted to our seats, I realized that we weren't in the 27th row...

Front. Row.

For musicals, big staged dance numbers and whatnot, this could suck. But people speaking poetry? Shit, I'll be six inches from the stage any day.

Here, again, I come to trying to explain how amazing this show is. After seeing these artists, these masters of language, and hearing their words I feel silly trying to write a review. So here: the first act is amazing. Wonderful. Perfect. Amazing and brilliant.

And I was amazed to find that this brilliance is a mere set-up for the second act. Which blew me away. In the rush of words from these nine amazing poets, I found myself sobbing and laughing and wanting to shout and scream with them. And find language like them. It's a journey of rage, of anger, of hate and ultimately hope. It's a journey through despair into responsibility.

It is utterly brilliant. These poets are brilliant.

I have never experienced anything like it before. See this show.