Fela! Tour 2011 - Articles Page 14

Opened: September 13, 2011
Closing: June 02, 2013

Fela! - 2011 - US Tour History , Info & More

His story inspired a nation. His music inspires the world. FELA! tells the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.



Motivated by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.



FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti's captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones.



EVERYBODY SAY YEAH YEAH!

Fela! - 2011 - US Tour Cast

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Fela! - 2011 - US Tour Articles Page 14

Photo Coverage: QUARTET, FELA!, AVENUE Q & More Play Broadway in Bryant Park!
by Monica Simoes - Aug 6, 2010


The best of Broadway is being presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Bank of America, and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and hosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities, the tenth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances runs through August 12th.

AVENUE Q, FELA! et al. Play Bway in Bryant Park Today!
by BWW News Desk - Aug 5, 2010


The best of Broadway is being presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Bank of America, and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and hosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities, the tenth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances runs through August 12th.

Photographer Sues FELA! For Unauthorized Photograph Use
by Abigail Arnold - Jul 29, 2010


Photographer Marilyn Nance is suing the musical FELA! for unauthorized use of one of her photographs, the New York Post reports.

FELA! to be Honored by New York City 7/29
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 29, 2010


The cast and crew of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will be honored by New York City Council Members Jimmy Van Bramer and Julissa Ferreras on the Steps of City Hall on Thursday, July 29.

Jacob's Pillow Presents Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, 7/21-25
by BWW News Desk - Jul 21, 2010


The work of Bill T. Jones, eminent choreographer, Tony Award-winner, director, and recipient of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, is celebrated throughout the Pillow's 2010 Festival.

Lincoln Center Closes Midsummer Night Swing, 7/17
by BWW News Desk - Jul 17, 2010


Tickets are on sale now for Lincoln Center's 22nd season of Midsummer Night Swing which will take place every Tuesday through Saturday, June 29-July 17 (except July 13, which will be replaced with a night of dancing on Monday, July 12th). The program will take place in Swing's home, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

RIALTO CHATTER: Patti LaBelle to Join FELA! on Broadway in September?
by Jessica Lewis - Jul 16, 2010


Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that songbird Patti LaBelle will be joining the Broadway cast of FELA! in September as Fela's mother. She will be filling in for Lillias White, who has concert obligations in Australia that month.

River To River Festival Presents Broadway2Battery: Duncan Sheik, 7/15
by BWW News Desk - Jul 15, 2010


Bringing the Great White Way downtown to Castle Clinton National Monument, the Alliance for Downtown New York will present three nights of free outdoor concerts featuring Broadway-themed performances by Madeleine Peyroux, Duncan Sheik, and Antibalas as part of the River To River Festival.

Fela's Son Sees FELA!; Musical to be Produced in Lagos
by Nicolas Coburn - Jul 14, 2010


The New York Times reports that Femi Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, saw FELA! while in New York on Sunday. Previously, Kuti would not see the production unless it was brought to Lagos, where his father originally built the nightclub. On Saturday, over a World Cup viewing with FELA! co-conceiver and producer Stephen Hendel, Kuti was promised the show will see a production in Lagos. Said Hendel: 'We're going to keep our word.'

Jacob's Pillow Celebrates Bill T. Jones With Talks, Awards, And New Exhibit
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 12, 2010


The work of Bill T. Jones, eminent choreographer, Tony Award-winner, director, and recipient of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, is celebrated throughout the Pillow's 2010 Festival.

Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing Enters Week Three, Begins 7/12
by BWW News Desk - Jul 12, 2010


The noise coming from Damrosch Park is the roar of dancing feet as Midsummer Night Swing draws to a thunderous close with Week Three. Afrobeat star Femi Kuti & The Positive Force takes over on July 12th, with the associate choreographer from FELA! sweating out the relentless beats and a pre-show DJ set by Jump n' Funk's Rich Medina with Sahr from the cast of FELA! On July 14th songstress Catherine Russell and Cat & The Hounds Swing Band takes over, with a bluesy, jazz-tinged night of swing.

TV: AMERICAN THEATRE WING'S In The Wings - Sound Designer, Robert Kaplowitz
by Robert Diamond - Jul 13, 2010


Tony Award winning Sound Designer Robert Kaplowitz is responsible for the sound system and sound content of a production. In a play, that content includes both music and sound effects. His primary skills are listening and the ability to understand a play and help an audience connect to the text. Kaplowitz demonstrates creating sound effects and score. In a musical such as Fela!, he brings the existing music to the audience to create an immersive aural environment. Kaplowitz shares how he began his career and why he loves being a sound designer.

Ngaujah, Ivory, Marshall et al. to Star in London FELA!
by Abigail Arnold - Jul 6, 2010


Casting for the London production of FELA! has been announced, Grace Notes reports. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, the production will star Sahr Ngaujah, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production, as Nigerian composer and activist Fela Kuti. The production will also star Paulette Ivory and Melanie Marshall.

FELA! Celebrates 250th Performance Tonight
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 30, 2010


Fela!, recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Choreography, will celebrate its 250th performance on Wednesday, June 30 @ 8pm. Produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, this critically acclaimed show based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Kuti, began performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on October 19 and opened to rave reviews on November 23.

DEBUT OF THE MONTH: Kevin Mambo
by Nick Orlando - Jul 12, 2010


This month, as part of our 'Debut of the Month' series, BroadwayWorld is shining the spotlight on actor Kevin Mambo who is making his Broadway debut as legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in the Broadway musical Fela! The musical earned three Tony Awards: Best Choreography, Best Sound Design, and Best Costume Design.

Lincoln Center Announces Midsummer Night Swing Schedule, Runs 6/29-7/17
by BWW News Desk - Jun 29, 2010


Tickets are on sale now for Lincoln Center's 22nd season of Midsummer Night Swing which will take place every Tuesday through Saturday, June 29-July 17 (except July 13, which will be replaced with a night of dancing on Monday, July 12th). The program will take place in Swing's home, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing Enters Week Three, Begins 7/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 28, 2010


The noise coming from Damrosch Park is the roar of dancing feet as Midsummer Night Swing draws to a thunderous close with Week Three. Afrobeat star Femi Kuti & The Positive Force takes over on July 12th, with the associate choreographer from FELA! sweating out the relentless beats and a pre-show DJ set by Jump n' Funk's Rich Medina with Sahr from the cast of FELA! On July 14th songstress Catherine Russell and Cat & The Hounds Swing Band takes over, with a bluesy, jazz-tinged night of swing.

FELA's Kevin Mambo& More Perform for TOMMY Awards Show in NYC, 6/28
by BWW News Desk - Jun 28, 2010


Emmy-winning actor, Kevin Mambo, who stars in the title role in the Broadway production of the of Tony winning musical 'Fela!' has joined the roster of artists scheduled to perform at the Second Annual Tommy Awards on Monday, June 28 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. Produced by the USC Alumni Club of New York with the support of the USC Alumni Association and other university partners, the Tommy Awards- named for Tommy Trojan, the University of Southern California's collegiate symbol - honors extraordinary contributions made by USC alumni to New York's business, cultural, sports and philanthropic communities.

Full Lineup Set For Broadway in Bryant Park 2010, Kicks Off 7/8
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 25, 2010


The best of Broadway will be presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series beginning on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage.

River To River Festival Presents 3 Broadway-themed Concerts At Castle Clinton
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 24, 2010


Bringing the Great White Way downtown to Castle Clinton National Monument, the Alliance for Downtown New York will present three nights of free outdoor concerts featuring Broadway-themed performances by Madeleine Peyroux, Duncan Sheik, and Antibalas as part of the River To River Festival.

FELA's Kevin Mambo Joins Roster Of Performers For TOMMY Awards Show in NYC
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 23, 2010


Emmy-winning actor, Kevin Mambo, who stars in the title role in the Broadway production of the of Tony winning musical 'Fela!' has joined the roster of artists scheduled to perform at the Second Annual Tommy Awards taking place Monday, June 28 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU.

2010 River To River Festival Kicks Off Today
by BWW News Desk - Jun 21, 2010


Offering something for everyone, the ninth annual River To River® Festival today unveiled a stellar line-up of free music, dance, and cultural events that firmly establishes Lower Manhattan as the city's summer arts capital.

Creative Alliance's On the Avenue Presents Afro Beat Dance Party 6/19
by BWW News Desk - Jun 19, 2010


Creative Alliance's On the Avenue/Por la Avenida & the Baltimore Resettlement Center present Afro Beat Dance Party w/ Elikeh & Traditional African Dinner! Sat June 19

RIALTO CHATTER: FELA! to Play Nigeria?
by Rialto Chatter - Jun 17, 2010


According to contactmusic.com, FELA! has been asked by officials at the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to perform in Nigeria this October. A FELA! performance would be part of the celebration for the country's 50 years of independence.

NEXT FALL and FELA! Producers Committed to Keeping Shows Open
by Charlie Piane - Jun 14, 2010


Stephen Hendel, producer of Fela!, and Richard Willis, producer of Next Fall, have stated they intend for their shows to have extended runs on broadway, despite a lack of wins at this year's Tony Awards.

Other Productions of Fela!

2008   Off-Broadway World Premiere
Off-Broadway
2009   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2010   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2011   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
2012   Broadway Broadway Return Engagement
Broadway

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