Photo Coverage: FELA! Opening Night on Broadway - Red Carpet Arrivals! 2009/11/25

Photo Coverage: FELA! Opening Night on Broadway - Red Carpet Arrivals!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Posted: 11:11 AM - by Walter McBride

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) last night, November 23, 2009.

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.

Photos by Monica Simoes

Harry Belafonte with wife Pamela Belafonte

Oskar Eustis

Sandra Isidore

Judith Jamison

Angelique Kidjo

Gayle King

Laurie Anderson

Lou Reed

Lou Reed & Laurie Anderson

Bill T. Jones, Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson

Bill T. Jones, Lou Reed & Laurie Anderson

Bill T. Jones and Lou Reed

Sherie Rene Scott & Kurt Deutsch

Sherie Rene Scott

Ben Stiller

Shawn " Jay-Z " Carter

Related Links

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!

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Jeffrey Page of FELA!
An African dance specialist, Jeffrey gave up a Hollywood choreography career to join the Nigeria-set musical.

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.

Purchase Tickets

Click Here to Purchase Tickets to Fela!

On BWW.TV

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.

Past Articles by This Author: