Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA

By: Apr. 28, 2013
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R&B superstar Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame is one of the stars of "Fela!" The musical, filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, which opened on April 26 in Los Angeles and runs through May 5, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld has photos of the cast and creative team celebrating opening night!

"Fela!," which is based on the life of the charismatic Kuti and is highlighted by many of Kuti's most captivating songs, has a book byJim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, additional music by AaRon Johnson andJordan McLean, and was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis andStephen Hendel. "Fela!" features the visionary direction and choreography of two-time Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones ("Fela!" and "Spring Awakening"), who was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2010.

A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, "Fela!" is the true story of Kuti, who created a new type of music, Afrobeat, and mixed these pounding eclectic rhythms (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies) with incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa. His songs of rebellion were an inspiration to millions.

Michelle Williams is an accomplished singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. However, she is best known as a member of Destiny's Child, the R&B pop group that also launched Beyoncé Knowles into stardom. In addition to her career with Destiny's Child, Michelle also released three solo albums between 2002 and 2008. Williams has held leading roles in "Aida," "The Color Purple" (also at the Ahmanson) and has starred as the first African American Roxie Hart in the West End's production of "Chicago."

"Fela!" received a total of 11 Tony Award nominations in 2010. Tickets for "Fela!" are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or in person at the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.

Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast members Michelle Williams, Adesola Osakalumi and Melanie Marshall during the curtain call

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Michelle Williams, Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter, Councilwoman Jan Perry and cast member Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast members Adesola Osakalumi and Michelle Williams

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast members Adesola Osakalumi and Michelle Williams

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Adesola Osakalumi and original cast member Lillias White

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Adesola Osakalumi and Omotola Jalade Ekehinde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Former cast member Aimee Graham Wodobode poses with cast members India McGee, Lauren De Veaux, Adesola Osakalumi, Oneika Phillips and Kafi Pierre

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast members Kafi Pierre and Duain Richmond

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast members Kafi Pierre and Duain Richmond

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter, and Tristan Wilds

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Kimberly Elise and Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Gelan Lambert and actress Kimberly Elise

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Cast member Gelan Lambert and actor Tristan Wilds

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie and Producer Stephen Hendel

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Kimberly Elise, Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter, and actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Tristan Wilds and cast member Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Producer Stephen Hendel, Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter, and Producer Ruth Hendel

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Sandra Izsadore, Producer Stephen Hendel, Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter, and Producer Ruth Hendel

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Sandra Izsadore, Producer Stephen Hendel and Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Sandra Izsadore and Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Sandra Izsadore and Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Yeni Kuti, Fela's oldest daughter

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and Sandra Izsadore

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and Sandra Izsadore

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Producers Ruth Hendel and Stephen Hendel

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Kimberly Elise

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Kimberly Elise

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omarosa

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omarosa

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Mari Morrow

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Mari Morrow

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Garcelle Beauvais

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Garcelle Beauvais

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Sandra Izsadore

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekehinde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Calvin Sykes

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Kenny Lattimore

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Kenny Lattimore

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Shaun Robinson

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Shaun Robinson

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actress Kita Williams

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Tristan Wilds

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Tristan Wilds

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
From left, actor Tristan Wilds and Obba Babatunde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
TV personality Auti Angel

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Daniel Crawford

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Actor Barry Shabaka Henley

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA
Obba Babatunde

Photo Flash: Michelle Williams and More Celebrate FELA's Opening in LA



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