Abena Koomson News

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.

On Monday September 21, 2009, the IT Awards (New York Innovative Theatre Awards), the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, and host Julie Halston, announced the 2009 recipients at the Fifth Annual IT Awards Ceremony at New World Stages. Those unable to attend joined the OOB theatre community's biggest night of the year online, and also followed theatre critic Aaron Riccio's (Theater Talk's New Theater Corps, That Sounds Cool) live-blogging at www.nyitawards.com/live.

Comedic actress Julie Halston hosts the 2009 IT Awards, which honor the best of Off-Off Broadway, tonight at New World Stages at 7:00pm.

terraNOVA Collective announced an open call for submissions to the 7th Annual soloNOVA Arts Festival, taking place at the D?R?2 Theatre & D-Lounge just off Union Square in New York City, May 2010.

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

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.

Celebrated pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer, Crescent City's own Allen Toussaint will be the headliner for Lincoln Center Out of Doors' 'Roots of American Music' concert in Damrosch Park on Saturday, August 22.

Closing Weekend of Lincoln Center Out of Doors (August 22 and 23) is the 26th annual Roots of American Music mini-festival, this year, including a salute to the late singer/songwriter/ activist Odetta.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello will co-headline Lincoln Center Out of Doors' concert in Damrosch Park on August 7, sharing a bill with Raul Midón. She replaces Rokia Traoré (previously announced) whose scheduled U.S. tour has been postponed. Ndegeocello blends jazz, funk, rock, rap and soul as she continues to develop the 'neo-soul' genre she is credited with sparking.

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards announced on Monday that terraNOVA Collective has been nominated for seventeen NYIT Awards including Outstanding Solo Performance (Martin Dockery, Leigh Evans, Jeff Grow, Abena Koomson, Micia Mosley) and Outstanding Production of a Play (Blue Before Morning).

On July 20, 2009, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, celebrated it?s fifth birthday and announced the 2009 nominees at its annual sold-out event at the Carmine Street Recreation Center located at 25 Carmine Street.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello will co-headline Lincoln Center Out of Doors' concert in Damrosch Park on August 7, sharing a bill with Raul Midón. She replaces Rokia Traoré (previously announced) whose scheduled U.S. tour has been postponed. Ndegeocello blends jazz, funk, rock, rap and soul as she continues to develop the 'neo-soul' genre she is credited with sparking.

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.

Celebrated pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer, Crescent City's own Allen Toussaint will be the headliner for Lincoln Center Out of Doors' 'Roots of American Music' concert in Damrosch Park on Saturday, August 22.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway in October to the Eugene O'Neill.

terraNOVA Collective is proud to announce it will honor Mike Daisey (How Theater Failed America, If You See Something, Say Something) as this year's soloNOVA Artist of the Year at the 2009 soloNOVA Arts Festival, running May 6-31 at the DR2 Theatre and D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theatres off Union Square. Mr. Daisey will open the festival with the premiere of a new monologue Why Solo Performance Matters: A Manifesto on May 6, 2009 at 8pm in the DR2 Theatre.

soloNOVA Arts Festival May 6-30 @ DR2 Theatre & D-Lounge, 103 East 15 Street, East of Union Square Tickets, $20 general admission, $15 students/seniors, and Festival Passes ($100 for all shows) may be purchased online at www.terranovacollective.org or at the DR2 Box Office.

terraNOVA Collective is proud to announce it will honor Mike Daisey (How Theater Failed America, If You See Something, Say Something) as this year's soloNOVA Artist of the Year at the 2009 soloNOVA Arts Festival, running May 6-31 at the DR2 Theatre and D-Lounge at the Daryl Roth Theatres off Union Square. Mr. Daisey will open the festival with the premiere of a new monologue Why Solo Performance Matters: A Manifesto on May 6, 2009 at 8pm in the DR2 Theatre.

The world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will play the final performance of its extended run Sunday, October 5th at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay announced today that, due to overwhelming popular demand, the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has extended its run through Saturday, October 4 at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues