Abena Koomson Awards and Nominations
IT Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Solo Performance | ||
Abena KoomsonCozi Sa Wala: Magic Words |
Abena Koomson News

by Michael Major - Mar 16, 2023
Natalie Merchant unveils a new video for her latest single “Come On, Aphrodite”—watch here. Filmed in Brooklyn, New York, the new video is directed by Matthew Shattuck (Foo Fighters, John Legend) and edited by Andrew Pulaski (Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg). Watch the new music video now!

by Michael Major - Feb 15, 2023
It is the first track released from Merchant’s forthcoming album, Keep Your Courage, and establishes the record’s themes of love and passion as essential to the human experience. Merchant’s ninth solo studio album, and the latest new material since 2014’s self-titled record, Keep Your Courage will be released in April.

by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2022
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces that tickets are on sale for Natalie Merchant's concert on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Byham Theater, 101 6th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. This event is presented by National Artists.

by Stephi Wild - Nov 29, 2022
Natalie Merchant is coming to Hershey Theatre on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 8 p.m. with the “Keep Your Courage Tour.”

by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2022
THE DJANGO will bring another month of stellar jazz by some of the field’s heroes alongside young, emerging artists.

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2021
Jacob’s Pillow has announced eight artist residencies this winter and spring at the Pillow Lab, its year-round incubator of new work. The annual season of customizable residencies supports U.S.-based and international dance artists during crucial development, research, and technical stages of choreography-driven projects.

by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2021
An audio adaptation of the musical FELA!, written and directed by filmmaker Funa Maduka, will premiere on Clubhouse, the popular drop-in audio chat platform, on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16.

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2021
National Sawdust presents conversation series, Fire This Time, launching April 20th. The host, poet Lynne Procope, will sit down with musicians, critics, stick fighters, DJs, academics, curators, poets & music lovers at the ley lines of organizing, activism, and the legacy of perhaps the most influential writer of the last century, James Baldwin.

by Kaitlin Milligan - Jun 19, 2020
The Resistance Revival Chorus have released a video for their powerful recording of 'Ella's Song' in honor of Juneteenth and celebrating Ella Baker.

by Stage Tube - May 26, 2020
It's been over a decade since Fela! first took Broadway by storm, and still, in 2020, its cast is united and making a difference. Oneika Phillips, who starred in the 2012 return engagement, put out a call to her cast mates to come together for the #DontRush Challenge. 'It evolved into an even more meaningful project with layers of celebration such as aligning with the ten-year anniversary of the show's 11 Tony nominations, including Sahr as Fela and Lillias White as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. A decade ago, we were at the height of breaking ceilings and blowing minds on Broadway,' writes Phillips.
Abena Koomson Videos


by Stage Tube - May 26, 2020
It's been over a decade since Fela! first took Broadway by storm, and still, in 2020, its cast is united and making a difference. Oneika Phillips, who starred in the 2012 return engagement, put out a call to her cast mates to come together for the #DontRush Challenge. 'It evolved into an even more meaningful project with layers of celebration such as aligning with the ten-year anniversary of the show's 11 Tony nominations, including Sahr as Fela and Lillias White as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. A decade ago, we were at the height of breaking ceilings and blowing minds on Broadway,' writes Phillips.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Apr 20, 2010
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.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 5, 2010
Broadway dominated The View yesterday, March 3. Following an interview with The Miracle Worker's Abigail Breslin, the Fela! cast took the stage to perform 'Zombie' for viewers. Valerie Bertinelli filled in for Whoopi Goldberg, alongside View regulars Barbra Walters, Joy Behar, Sherri Sheperd and Elizabeth Hasselbeck. Audience members were sent home from the taping with a pair of tickets to see the Fela!. The View airs weekdays at 11:00am EST on ABC.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Feb 2, 2010
As a nod to Black History Month, during the course of the week NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams pays tribute to a series of history makers, including FELA!'s Bill T. Jones. In the video piece below, Anne Curry profiles Jones and speaks to the Tony Award-winning director and choreographer him about his career, achievements and the tremendous success of FELA!
by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 29, 2010
See what it's like to dance in the shoes of one of Fela!'s 'swing' performers in this video diary.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 22, 2010
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
by BroadwayWorld TV - Dec 19, 2009
Sting and Alicia Keys were amongst other well-known music and entertainment personalities to visit the Broadway sensation Fela! during its first week run, and the praise for this dazzling production was unanimous.