Oakland’s native son and spectacular spoken word artist Ise Lyfe is back in town and thankfully for us, he brought the must see play of the summer with him. 'Pistols and Prayers' is everything that is righteously artistic, condensed into two acts.

It is a one-man show with a backup band. It is a spoken word performance with a hip-hop edge. There is interpretive dance, thought provoking monologues and heart wrenching sometimes grotesque historical images. Even still, 'Pistols and Prayers' is so much more.

Before it was converted into a play, 'Pistols and Prayers' was released as a collection of poems in 2010, so it's very existence onstage symbolizes fusion.

Indeed,fusion is the most centralized theme in the play. Not only is there a live band highlighted by the exceptionally gifted pianist Mr. E.J. Youngblood, but there is also a deejay playing contemporary hip-hop and R&B tracks as well.

The characters range from a naïve schoolboy unaware of racial tension in the world to a drug addict named Uncle Randy who although carries around a multitude of broken dreams seems to possess an unlimited supply of pride. The chorus of the play is “We are the space between god and the ancestors. Fill it up.”

The venue where the play was held made the experience that much more spiritual. Located at 408 14th St. in downtown Oakland, the space is very intimate. When one walks in the door one is greeted by the sweet smell of burning incense. The walls are adorned with the work of local graffiti artists and a diverse array of records ranging from The Supremes to Prince to Tupac Shakur. The ceiling is the play - which is once again the talk of the town.

Ise Lyfe did not disappointment.

Lyfe brought life to each character in his play with the skill of a world class thespian. In fact, most actors could not bring the amount of authenticity to the stage that he did. In 'Pistols and Prayers,' the man who grew up in Oakland’s Brookfield Village neighborhood shows how truly multi-talented he has become.

For a person who “attended (survived) Oakland public schools K-12,” Lyfe is living proof that Oakland, CA, has a beautiful gift to share with the world.

Everyone should come out to support this play, which was inspired by Oakland while it is still in the town. 'Pistols and Prayers' is a must see show.

If You Go

'Pistols and Prayers'

When: Friday and Saturday evening performances, at 6 and 9 p.m., July 8, 9, 15, 16; Sunday performances, at 3 p.m.,  July 10, 17
Where: 408 14th St. in downtown Oakland
Cost: General admission tickets are $15, $10 for the youth, and available on the web at Airbornetickets.com, by phone at (510) 986-1900 or at the venue door.

Win Tickets!

Want to go? OL is giving away tickets two sets of tickets for each show. Enter to win at wintickets2@gmail.com.