He alaso appeared on HBO's Def Poetry in 2005.

He has performed his poetry on seasons 2, 3 and 4 of HBO's Def Poetry.

Critics welcomed "Def Poetry" when it opened on Nov. 14.

But Broadway needs "Def Poetry," Mr. Simmons said, to reach younger, more varied audiences.

Audiences respond that way because "Def Poetry" is not a bunch of self-righteous poets shouting their grievances.

It is perhaps no wonder, then, that Ms. Hammad's pieces in "Def Poetry" are among the most overtly activist.

Simmons produced Def Poetry, begun as a television series on HBO, which also branched into a Broadway live stage production in 2002.

The difference between "For Colored Girls" and "Def Poetry Jam" is that this time the performers are speaking their own words.

And if it's content that makes "Def Poetry" worthy, to use a cringe-making word, it's style that makes it entertainment.

Simmons is the co-executive producer of Russell Simmons' Def Poetry.