BWW Interviews: FELA!'s Saycon Sengbloh

Saycon Sengbloh takes on her largest and most influential role to date as the muse of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Fela!, now playing at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre. Fela! explores Kuti's controversial life as an 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.

Saycon took time between shows to sit down and chat with BroadwayWorld about her "amazing opportunity."

So Fela! tells the real story of an influential African political/musical figure and the events surrounding his life and actions and musical works. Do you feel that this is an important story to tell an audience, especially an audience that may not know much about the history of African art and government?

SS: Yes, of course. I feel it is extremely important for people to learn about African politics, about world politics. And I think it's important to teach people about Fela Kuti because he was also a composer. He was so wonderful! You know, I was on the train and I ran into someone and he kept saying to me "who did the orchestration for the show?" and I'm just like, well, Fela did! People should be aware of him and his artistry and the level of his contribution and the impact that he had on politics in Nigeria. And how he inspired people all around the world.

The music is just so full of life; it had the audience dancing the whole time. And it was interesting how the original dialect was either kept or clarified for the audience.

SS: Well some of the songs were translated from their original versions so that they could be more easily understood. But a lot was kept and expressed in other ways.

Your role of Sandra is a huge part of Fela!. How did it feel to land this substantial part?

SS: Let me tell you, it was one of the toughest auditions I've ever had! It came down to me and another actress and we had to sing and dance, it was a lot. Actually my friend had told me about Fela! a long time ago when it was in workshop and I had wanted to be a part of it then, but it wasn't a union show. So once it was and I was able to audition I jumped at it. But it's just amazing to have the opportunity to audition for Bill T. Jones, let alone work with him.

You play a very important role- the first source of political influence and African pride that sparks the political drive in Fela and his return to Nigeria. This role of the strong and educated woman is not often a role played by females on Broadway. How does it feel to play such a unique role, both as a Broadway actor and as a woman?

SS: It's amazing because Sandra is a part of who Fela is. The show itself is breaking so many boundaries with Broadway musicals. But it is really a gift to play a woman who has actually lived this amazing life. She lives in California now, I spoke to her on Christmas before we started rehearsals.

That is so amazing! How wonderful for you both.

SS: You know, you just have to remember that she really is alive and Fela was alive- this is a real story about real people. So there is this extra pressure! This woman actually made this massive impression, and I wanted to do this act some justice. She came to the show and I wanted her to appreciate my take on her life. Of course it is a dramatization, but it is still documenting someone's life. And I hope that I did her proud in representing her.

Well, did she give you positive feedback?

SS: (Laughs.) She did yeah. She said "You did me justice!"

The show is extremely emotional, in both positive and negative ways. It also involves the audience quiet a bit - we are up on our feet dancing and drinking and signing along with you. How does being in this show differ from the others you have participated in?

SS: With this show we really tapped into something personal. You know, I do musical theatre and have been doing it for a long time. But I'm not necessarily the type of person who listens to show tunes all the time. So with this, it was so social for us all. These are the tunes that we listen to when we all go dancing. I love listening to it. So when I'm tired and we have to do a matinee and my bones are achy, I'm still so thrilled to be a part of it.

What do you feel is the most important message that the audience can take from Fela!?

SS: Oh wow, well there are so many. I like the idea of people coming away knowing that Fela was an intellectual and a politician and a composer. That people know that Africa is not just about famine and war, but that we are also intellectuals and artists. My father was from Africa and they would have parties and play music, and all they would do is talk politics. Americans become accustomed to judging people and just assuming that they aren't as evolved or aware, and I am American myself so I know we are guilty of this, so I love how well thought out Fela! is and how it is so politically and artistically aware.

You have played a wide variety of roles on the stage, from Mimi to Elphaba. What are your aspirations for your next stage role?

SS: I would love to play Rita Marley, or Celia Cruz... Michelle Obama would be pretty cool.

So continuing in the strong political woman sort of vein?

SS: Well you know, I've played some really interesting roles in theater. And I think that it's important to diversify. I'd actually like to do a little bit of voice-over work, some commercials, that sort of thing.

I know you released your CD's Southern Pin-Up in late 2005 and Southern Pin-Up: Special Edition in 2008. Do you have any more plans to record?

SS: Yes definitely. Right now I am looking for some interesting artists to work with who inspire me. My current CD came out a few years ago and for that I did a lot of work; I made a music video on YouTube and stuff that was a lot of fun. I would definitely like to do it all on a bigger scale for my next album. But honestly I'm try not to think about my career and what I'm going to do next. I'm really trying to focus on what is happening to me now, to make sure that I am living life and being truly happy with what I am doing.

What is your favorite thing about performing on the stage, versus on the screen? What about theatre keeps you coming back?

SS: Wow, well... it's very different every day. Nothing else is like that. I love the five or ten minutes before the show starts - when you are doing the finishing touches, putting on the make-up, doing my lashes, doing my final stretch. Because then when you hit the stage, there is this burst of feeling, this look that the audience gets. You know, you can really feel it with Fela! Because the band is playing before the show starts and the actors are dancing in the wings and the movements and the energy just starts! Its big. You are walking around a little bit and the music comes up and its showtime. And you can see it in the audiences eyes, this excitement.

The live reaction from the audience?

SS: Exactly. That look of "ooh" or "ahh" and that's contagious. This appreciation of what we are doing. And performing with Sahr Ngaujah has been absolutely amazing. He is a childhood friend of mine.

Really?!

SS: Yeah, we went to the same high school in Atlanta! And we have gotten so many well wishes from our friends, our school friends and our show friends, people from our company, its been very nice.

Is there anything else you want to get out there in print?

SS: Well let me just say, I love BroadwayWorld!

Well I can't say that we don't love hearing that.

SS: Seriously, I love looking at the pictures and all the news about other actors. I like to catch up on other actor's news. And now I have my own interview on BroadwayWorld, it's a great feeling. Really all of this is such a great feeling. I've been a replacement in a lot of shows. Or films. And its really nice to have my own role, its not a revival, its not someone elses part. Its really thrilling to walk like I walk and not have to walk like somebody else, or sing songs that were made for someone else. This has my own flavor. And this show feels like its effect for my voice and the songs are perfect for my voice. Its all been a dream come true.

Tickets for Fela! on Broadway are available through www.Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200 or in-person at The Eugene O'Neill Box Office, located at 230 West 49th Street.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!