'A Freeky Introduction' Off-Broadway review — a multidisciplinary lesson in self-love
Read our review of A Freeky Introduction off Broadway, a new show that blends stand-up, storytelling, and movement, written and performed by NSangou Njikam.
“The is glory in allegory,” says NSangou Njikam, aka Freeky Dee, at the start of A Freeky Introduction. The glory loses its glow in this show, which melds hip-hop dancing, Yoruba spirituality, and African storytelling. The narrative gets lost in a swirl of symbols, like eagles, buzzards, freedom, and orgasms.
What shines through is Njikam’s energy, which he drums up with impressive dance moves and unshakable confidence — key traits of being a “freek.” He lays out the principles of “freekdom” through songs, poems, and mantras. In one such lesson, the audience joins in a call-and-response chant: “I look good!” The show also features DJ Monday Blue, who holds court behind the DJ booth and showcases some incredible dance moves of her own.
At my performance, with Njikam surrounded on a thrust stage, the audience was all in and broke into spontaneous chants of “Go, Freeky!” during a dance break. The show's greatest strength lies, perhaps unexpectedly, in its audience interaction segments, particularly when Njikam takes questions from the crowd about being freeky. He even asked select audience members to share their names and favorite fruits, then improvised their freek names, which were quick, clever, and humorous.
While being freeky is a lot about building sky-high self-confidence and self-love, Freeky Dee showcases this swagger in the pursuit of a lover. This courtship tale devolves into the absurd with a simulated act of oral sex with a stool. Some audience members rolled with laughter, while others rolled their eyes. A Freeky Introduction serves its purpose as an intro, but I wouldn’t rush to meet it again.
A Freeky Introduction summary
A Freeky Introduction blends R&B music, hip-hop dance, and storytelling into a loose narrative exploring the art of being a “freek,” guided by Freeky Dee, played by writer and performer Nsangou Njikam. It begins with an allegory about an eagle born into a flock of buzzards and grows into a lesson about practicing self-love and living your truth. Njikam recites poems, sings alongside a DJ’s beats, and performs hip-hop dancing.
What to expect at A Freeky Introduction
A Freeky Introduction invites audience participation, from taking questions to bringing people onstage to dance. The show is sultry and contains profanity and sexual gestures — definitely not for kids or those too shy to embrace their inner freek. The show runs about 90 minutes without an intermission, though it can run longer due to improvised sections, as it did during the performance I attended.
What audiences are saying about A Freeky Introduction
As of publication, there are 10 audience reviews on the aggregator site Show-Score, with mixed responses highlighting the show’s loose storyline and energy.
- “Not the worst thing l've seen. The DJ added some fun beats to the experience but for the most part it was an indulgent journey you don't need to take.” - Show-Score user JoeyFranko
- “I was glad that Atlantic is bringing artists from various communities to their stages - and so support them by being a subscriber - that being said - I just didn't think the story was deep enough - it just seemed facile and a bit shallow.” - Show-Score user Fleabag
- “While this show certainly isn't for everyone, I enjoyed it and thought the underlining message is a strong one for everyone. Comedy mixed with poetry mixed with music - NSangou certainly knows how to keep folks entertained. If you're looking for a singular traditional story, this isn't for you.” - Show-Score user ChristopherC
Read more audience reviews of A Freeky Introduction on Show-Score.
Who should see A Freeky Introduction
- Theatregoers who saw and loved the early version of A Freeky Introduction at Atlantic Theater’s (Writ)ual MixFest in 2023 will enjoy seeing its world-premiere production.
- Those who enjoyed Njikam’s semi-autobiographical play Syncing Ink at the Apollo Theater in 2024 will enjoy A Freeky Introduction, which also has influences of Yoruba culture.
- Fans of experimental or multidisciplinary performances will enjoy this mashup of poetry, music, and dance.
- Hip-hop and R&B lovers will appreciate Njikam’s dancing and DJ Monday Blue’s set list.
Learn more about A Freeky Introduction
Njikam’s charismatic presence and connection with the audience makes A Freeky Introduction a memorable experience, even when the storytelling feels scattered.
Photo credit: A Freeky Introduction. (Photos by Ahron R. Foster)
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