Commissioned by the San Diego company for its Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour, the new work will be directed by Rebecca Lynn Brown. In addition to the tour — which will perform at schools and community centers (Jan. 22-March 11, 2007) — the show will be seen at public performances at the Playhouse March 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Billed as an "original hip-hop musical adventure," Honey Bo and the Gold Mine "is the adventurous tale of how a young girl finds the courage to create community and effect change," reads show materials. "Honey Bo is just 13, but she’s got the weight of the world on her shoulders. An unscrupulous land developer is threatening to bulldoze her San Diego neighborhood, and it’s up to Honey Bo to find a way to save her home."

"Ever since Des [McAnuff, La Jolla head] and I saw Will Power perform a few years ago, we've been trying to get him to work at the Playhouse,” says Shirley Fishman, associate artistic director and POP tour dramaturg. "He is widely known as a hip-hop pioneer and an incredibly dynamic performer, but he is also an uplifting, inspiring storyteller who uses verse, DJ-mixed music and movement to tell truths about the world we live in. I can’t imagine a more exciting artist to write for the children of San Diego."

Power created an adaptation of the Greek tragedy "Seven Against Thebes," called The Seven, which played Off-Broadway at the New York Theater Workshop and comes to La Jolla Playhouse in the 2007 season. He also created the solo performance Flow.

Public performances of Honey Bo and the Gold Mine will take place in Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center's Play Development Center. For tickets call the Playhouse box office at (858) 550-1010. For more information visit lajollaplayhouse.com.