FELA! Opens Opens December 14 at the CTG/Ahmanson
"Fela!," the 2010 Best Musical Tony Award®-nominated musical, opens next Wednesday, December 14, at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. The musical, filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will continue through January 22, 2012. There will be one preview performance December 13, 2011.
"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 by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, additional music by AaRon Johnson and Jordan McLean, and was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. "Fela!" features the visionary direction and choreography of two-time Tony Award-winner 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.
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After the Blast The Broadwater Second Stage (8/05-8/13) |
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E=MC² Einstein The Musical Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center (7/03-7/26) |
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Fool for Love Santa Monica Playhouse (7/23-7/26) |
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Gershwin and the Golden Age Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) (10/11-10/11) |
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Roots and Rhythm: Shakuhachi and Ghatam in Dialogue First Presbyterian Church (7/30-7/30) |
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BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS WITH GLENN ROSENBLUM: THE HOLIDAYS IN JULY Coachella Valley Repertory (7/28-7/28) |
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Three Days Grace, I Prevail & The Funeral Portrait SAP Center (11/18-11/18) |
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John Cameron Mitchell: Hedwig 25th Anniversary Movie Tour (18+) The Castro Theatre (8/13-8/13) |
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Pirates of Penzance in One Act Presented by The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players The Plaza Theatre (4/24-4/24) |
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My Chemical Romance Hollywood Bowl (10/21-10/21) |