Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on November 23, 2009.
The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Recent Gypsy Robe honoree, WHITE CHRISTMAS' Joseph Medeiros passed the special Broadway garment on to Adesola Osakalumi backstage at the Marquis before the opening night performance and we were there too!
This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo will play the title character on alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of AaRon Johnson, will again perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage.
Winner of this year's Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. Fela! had its world premiere at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts in September 2008, where it enjoyed a sold-out limited run. Tickets for Fela! on Broadway are available through www.Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
In this revolutionary new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis, audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! exploresKuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Featuring many of Fela Kuti's most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones's imaginative staging, Fela! is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.
STAGE TUBE: FELA!'s Director and Choreographer Bill T. Jones Profiled on NBC Nightly News As a nod to Black History Month, during the course of the week NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams pays tribute to a series of history makers, including FELA!'s Bill T. Jones. In the video piece below, Anne Curry profiles Jones and speaks to the Tony Award-winning director and choreographer him about his career, achievements and the tremendous success of FELA!
Photo Coverage: FELA! Honors The Actors Fund FELA!, currently playing at the Eugene O'Neill on Broadway starring Lillias White and Sahr Ngaujah, dedicated the January 25th performance last night to The Actors Fund, granting proceeds to the fund in support of their programs and services.
FELA! Dedicates Special Performance to The Actors Fund, Jan. 25 FELA!, currently playing at the Eugene O'Neill on Broadway starring Lillias White and Sahr Ngaujah, will dedicate the January 25th performance to The Actors Fund, granting proceeds to the fund in support of their programs and services. The curtain rises on Monday the 25th at 8:00pm. For information on The Actor's fund, visit www.actorsfund.org.
After his life as an ingenue in Brooklyn & Queens, Walter spent the next 25 Years in a leading role as a Photographer / Photo Researcher in Manhattan. He is currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and children Dali & Gala. As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of "GREASE". His journey on the path to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Broadway introduced him to his two homes... Retna Ltd
& BroadwayWorld.com, represented by: www.retna.com.
STAGE TUBE: FELA!'s Director and Choreographer Bill T. Jones Profiled on NBC Nightly News
GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Jeffrey Page of FELA!
Photo Coverage: FELA! Honors The Actors Fund
FELA! Dedicates Special Performance to The Actors Fund, Jan. 25
On BWW.TV
2/9:
No Musical of THE SOPRANOS
2/9:
When Joey Married Bobby
2/9:
Home sweet home...
LA CAGE Announces Addt'l Cast Members
STAGE TUBE: Green Day And The Cast Of American Idiot Record 21 GUNS
STAGE TUBE: Megan Mullally Talks Gensis of 'That's What She Said' on FunnyorDie.com
Ziegfeld Theatre Hosts Week Engagement of 'West Side Story' and 'Funny Girl', 2/12-18
Mayer, Miyagawa et al. Set for DREAMING THE AMERICAS Conference, 2/26 - 2/27
“Naked” Polar Bear Cruise Hosts Fundraiser for Wildlife Conservation Society, 2/27
Colin Hanlon, Jeremy Jordan Join CAP21's NEXT THING YOU KNOW Reading, 2/22
League of Professional Theatre Women Hosts Victoria Bailey at Leadership Lunch, 2/25
MoMA Presents JIA ZHANGKE RETROSPECTIVE, 3/5-3/20
Lynn Nottage and Paul Taylor to Receive Rockefeller Awards, 3/15
