Fela! Tour 2011 - Articles Page 20

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 20

Photo Flash: FELA! Opens on Broadway Tonight!
by Robert Diamond - Nov 23, 2009


Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will open on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) tonight. Performances began on Monday, October 19.

FELA! Set For Broadway's O'Neill, Previews Begin 10/19, Opens 11/23
by BWW News Desk - Nov 23, 2009


Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life 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 will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, 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 Steve Hendel.

Jay-Z and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Join FELA! Producing Team
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 16, 2009


Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith have enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented.

Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Join FELA! Producing Team
by Robert Diamond - Nov 16, 2009


Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith have enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented.

TWITTER WATCH: FELA! - 'This crowd is electric!'
by Eddie Varley - Nov 11, 2009


BroadwayWorld.com presents its newest column, Twitter Watch, which will bring you only the best and most interesting reports straight from the mouths of Broadway stars, shows and more on the hot social networking service - Twitter!

Review - Fela!: You Can't Stop The Afrobeat
by Kristin Salaky - Sep 8, 2008


The only negative thing I'll say about Fela!, the Off-Broadway docu-musical inspired by the life of Nigerian political activist and musical revolutionary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is that it never engaged this martini-swilling Manhattanite who entered the theatre unschooled in the culture and politics of the protagonist's homeland. The professionalism, exuberance and entertainment value of the piece is undeniable and I imagine many of my dear readers would have a terrific time visiting 37 Arts these days. But unless you're going in with a full knowledge of and an emotional attachment to its controversial subject, you may find, save for a well done moment late in the game, there is little dramatic pull to the proceedings to sustain interest for its two and a half hours. An audience full of fans of this internationally known artist who died in 1997 might understandably be thrilled by Fela! but while its potent message of the power of music to combat oppression is certainly universal, it took a review of the text's stage directions and a bit of Googling for this neophyte to get a fuller picture of the life and culture on display.

RIALTO CHATTER: FELA! Opening Night to be Changed for Celebrities?
by Rialto Chatter - Oct 30, 2009


The New York Times is reporting that producers are considering changing the opening night of the new Broadway musical FELA! in order to accommodate the schedules of contributing celebrities, including rapper Jay-Z and movie and television stars Will and Jada Pinckett Smith. Producers want to include Jay-Z and the Smiths in order to increase publicity for the show and to allow them to be recognized for their investment.

Photo Flash: FELA! Begins Broadway Previews 10/19
by Eddie Varley - Oct 19, 2009


As previously announced, Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will arrive on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street). Performances commence tonight, Monday, October 19 with an official opening set for Monday, November 23.

FELA! Arrives On Broadway At The Eugene O'Neill Theatre 10/19, Casting Complete
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2009


As previously announced, Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will arrive on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) where performances will commence on Monday, October 19 with an official opening set for Monday, November 23.

HAIR's Saycon Sengbloh Will Join Bdwy's FELA!, Previews Begin 10/19
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2009


Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway?s 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O?Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23.

Lillias White Joins Bdwy's FELA!, Previews 10/19
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2009


Tony® Award-winner Lillias White will join the cast of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing the role of the iconic artist's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

FELA! Set For Broadway's O'Neill, Previews Begin 10/19, Opens 11/23
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2009


Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life 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 will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, 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 Steve Hendel.

FELA! to Begin Previews at Eugene O'Neill Theatre October 19
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2009


The New York Times is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway to the Eugene O'Neill theatre with previews to begin October 19th and an opening night for September 23rd.

Rush Tickets Available For FELA!, Policies Announced For Preview And Regular Run
by Gabrielle Sierra - Oct 16, 2009


The producers of Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, have announced the policy for general rush tickets to this new musical which will begin performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19.

Photo Coverage: FELA! Meets the Press
by Eddie Varley - Sep 28, 2009


Tony winning director and choreographer Bill T. Jones welcomed the press on Wednesday, September 23 to Theater A at 37 Arts as he introduced his Fela! cast, including stars Sahr Ngaujah, Kevin Mambo, Tony winner Lillias White, and the always stunning Saycon Sengbloh.

FELA! Arrives On Broadway At The Eugene O'Neill Theatre 10/19, Casting Complete
by Gabrielle Sierra - Sep 23, 2009


As previously announced, Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will arrive on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) where performances will commence on Monday, October 19 with an official opening set for Monday, November 23.

Photo Coverage: Broadway on Broadway 2009 - The Performances Part One!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 15, 2009


Broadway's brightest stars came out on Sunday afternoon, September 13th to Times Square to celebrate the annual Broadway on Broadway concert! BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to capture every theatrical moment!

Photo Flash: Saycon Sengbloh Featuring Kojo Modibo Sun at Joe's Pub
by Linda Lenzi - Sep 1, 2009


Saycon Sengbloh featuring Kojo Modibo Sun rocked Joe's Pub on Sunday, August 30th with a thrilling concert full of passionate song.

HAIR's Saycon Sengbloh Will Join Bdwy's FELA!, Previews Begin 10/19
by Eddie Varley - Aug 30, 2009


Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway?s 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O?Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23.

Saycon Sengbloh & Kojo Modibo Sun Come To Joes Pub 8/30
by BWW News Desk - Aug 30, 2009


SAYCON (of HAIR) featuring Kojo Modibo Sun is coming to Joe's Pub on Sunday, August 30 at 9:30 PM.

Lillias White Joins Bdwy's FELA!, Previews 10/19
by Charlie Piane - Aug 13, 2009


Tony® Award-winner Lillias White will join the cast of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing the role of the iconic artist's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

Huppuch, Ngaujah & More Star In ETHER STEEDS, Opens In FringeNYC 8/14
by BWW News Desk - Aug 14, 2009


Danielle Karliner is proud to announce casting for the FringeNYC debut of Ether Steeds, a new play by Jason Williamson. Directed by Niegel Smith (Rainy Days and Mondays, Fringe Encores 2008), Ether Steeds features performances by 2009 OBIE-winners Birgit Huppuch* (Telephone, Foundry Theatre), and Sahr Ngaujah, * star of the upcoming Broadway transfer of FELA! The Musical.

Huppuch, Ngaujah & More Star In ETHER STEEDS, Opens In FringeNYC 8/14
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 11, 2009


Danielle Karliner is proud to announce casting for the FringeNYC debut of Ether Steeds, a new play by Jason Williamson. Directed by Niegel Smith (Rainy Days and Mondays, Fringe Encores 2008), Ether Steeds features performances by 2009 OBIE-winners Birgit Huppuch* (Telephone, Foundry Theatre), and Sahr Ngaujah, * star of the upcoming Broadway transfer of FELA! The Musical.

Saycon Sengbloh & Kojo Modibo Sun Come To Joes Pub 8/30
by Ali Leskowitz - Jul 30, 2009


SAYCON (of HAIR) featuring Kojo Modibo Sun is coming to Joe's Pub on Sunday, August 30 at 9:30 PM.

FELA! Opens 11/23
by Reynard Loki - Jun 12, 2009


Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life 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 will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, 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 Steve Hendel.

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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