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!
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
As previously reported, multiple Emmy Award winning icon Betty White will host NBC's Saturday Night Live on May 8. White will make her first appearance in Studio 8H. The episode will will feature Saturday Night Live alumni Rachel Dratch, Ana Gastever, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, and Maya Rudolkph. FELA! producer Jay-Z will be the musical guest. White was recently spotted around town leaving her midtown hotel, where she graciously signed photos for fans. BroadwayWorld brings you the candids below!
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
Nominations for the 2010 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards were announced tonight by Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas.
The Tony Awards Nominations were announced this morning on Tuesday, May 4th. The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 13, 2010.
Nominations for the American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced May 4, 2010 by Broadway Star Lea Michele and Tony Award Nominee Jeff Daniels.
St. Ann's Warehouse has announced the attendees for its upcoming Gala to celebrate its 30 year anniversary. The event will include FELA! star Sahr Ngaujah, who plays the title role in the hit Broadway musical, alongside the FELA! band.
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. On May 2nd, it will present The Great Muppet Caper Sing-A-Long.
As previously reported, multiple Emmy Award winning icon Betty White will host NBC's Saturday Night Live on May 8. White will make her first appearance in Studio 8H. The episode will will feature Saturday Night Live alumni Rachel Dratch, Ana Gastever, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, and Maya Rudolkph. FELA! producer Jay-Z will be the musical guest. Today, new promo spots for the episode have been released.
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
The 24th ANNUAL EASTER BONNET COMPETITION raised an impressive $3,265,700 this year by the 64 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies benefiting Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Since it began in 1987, the 23 editions of the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION have raised over $42 million for BC/EFA. BroadwayWorld brings you the complete official coverage of the event. Click here to see Part 1!
According to Variety.com, this year's Tony Awards could potentially make history in the Best New Musical category as being the first year in which four jukebox musicals are nominated for the award. The article cites American Idiot, Come Fly Away, Million Dollar Quartet, Fela!, and Everyday Rapture as the frontrunners for the category, all of which use preexisting music ranging from Sinatra to Green Day.
On May 11, 2010 Knitting Factory Records continues its re-release campaign of Fela's entire catalog with the 'Na Poi' releases. The newest collection, The Na Poi releases, includes 7 CDs, containing 14 albums total. Most of these albums are from the mid-70s and represent Fela and Africa '70 in their prime
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
As previously reported, multiple Emmy Award winning legend Betty White will host NBC's Saturday Night Live on May 8. White will make her first appearance in Studio 8H. The episode will will feature Saturday Night Live alumni Rachel Dratch, Ana Gastever, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, and Maya Rudolkph. FELA! producer Jay-Z will be the musical guest. Today, the promo spot for the episode has been released. Click below to view.
The Village Voice announced today that the hit Broadway musical FELA! will perform at the 55th Annual Village Voice OBIE Awards on Monday, May 17, 2010, at Webster Hall. FELA!-which is produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, among others-is a musical based on the life and music of the iconic African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Knitting Factory Records is excited to announce the June 8th release of Fela! - Original Broadway Cast Recording. The record documents the magic of the hit Broadway musical that Ben Brantley of the New York Times called 'hot (and seriously cool).'
Fela!, the critically acclaimed new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, 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 play the title character at alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage.
Washington D.C.-based ensemble Elikeh will be releasing their new album Adje! Adje! (Azalea City Recordings) on May 27, 2010.
Jacob's Pillow announces today that Executive Director Ella Baff will soon present the fourth annual Jacob's Pillow Dance Award to Bill T. Jones, acclaimed choreographer, co-founder, and artistic director of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Tony Award winner for Spring Awakening, and director of the current Broadway hit FELA! The Jacob's Pillow Dance Award honors outstanding visionary artists and carries a prize of $25,000, one of the largest cash awards in the dance industry, to be used by the choreographer to enhance their artistry in any way they choose.
Broadway's fourth annual all-male beauty contest, The Broadway Beauty Pageant, will take place Monday, April 19th. Broadway star Tovah Feldshuh will host. The 2010 contestants are Wes Hart (Mr. West Side Story), Eddie Pendergraft (Mr. Wicked), Daniel Soto (Mr. Fela), Rickey Tripp (Mr. In The Heights) and Charlie Williams (Mr. Memphis).
Jay-Z, rapper and producer of the Broadway musical FELA! will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live's May 8th episode, according to reports.
The Knitting Factory was founded in 1987 and over the years has grown into Knitting Factory Entertainment, which encompasses four clubs - in Brooklyn, Hollywood, Boise, and Spokane - several record labels and other ventures. Below is an account of the New York club's first years, written by company founder Michael Dorf.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that there may be some Tony tension brewing early over the category of Best Original Score. According to the report, only two scores from original musicals that opened on Broadway this season may be eligible for nomination, despite the 4 available slots in the category. MEMPHIS and THE ADDAMS FAMILY will be eligible, however shows such as FELA! and AMERICAN IDIOT will likely not qualify.
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