Roy Gabay News

The return engagement of the award-winning production Fela! is set to close after 32 performances at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre tonight, August 4.

It was announced back in February that Honeymoon in Vegas, a new musical, would open on Broadway in the spring of 2013 following a premiere engagement this November in Toronto. A production source tells BroadwayWorld.com that 'The New York producers have decided not to open the show in Toronto this fall because of scheduling issues. Future plans for the production will be announced soon.'

In the video below, go behind the scenes at a recent photo shoot for Broadway's CHAPLIN. Watch Rob McClure, who stars as Charlie Chaplin, as he talks about preparing for the role of a lifetime. CHAPLIN arrives on Broadway this August. .

The producers of the new musical CHAPLIN are pleased to announce that the production's box office at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) is now open.

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the first curtain call below!

Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain present the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and National Theatre of Great Britain production of Fela!, which just opened last night, July 12, for a limited run of 32 performances only at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the big openeing night, and we bring you photos from the star-studded arrivals below!

The producers of the new musical CHAPLIN have just announced full casting for the production, which will star Rob McClure in the title role, as previously announced. The production will also feature Jim Borstelmann (Alf Reeves), Jenn Colella (Hedda Hopper), Erin Mackey (Oona O'Neill), Michael McCormick (Sennett, McGranery, Emcee), Christiane Noll (Hannah Chaplin), Zachary Unger (Young Charlie, Jackie) and Wayne Alan Wilcox (Sydney Chaplin).

Scroll down to watch Rob McClure as Charlie Chaplin as he visits Times Square! McClure will star in the title role of the upcoming musical CHAPLIN, which arrives on Broadway this August.

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the title role of the new Broadway musical CHAPLIN. A new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, CHAPLIN will open on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of McClure as the title character below!

Tickets for the Broadway run of Fela! this summer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre will go on sale to the general public on Saturday June 16 via telecharge.com and phone (212) 239-6200.

Producers Shawn 'JAY Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and The National Theatre of Great Britain today announced the return of the critically acclaimed, award-winning production of Fela!, currently on a multi-city world tour, for a limited run of 32 performances ONLY at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) from July 9 - August 4. Exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, this provocative hybrid of dance, theatre, music, biography and a party like no-other is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. The world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, again perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage. Recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards (Best Choreography, Best Costumes, Best Sound Design), Fela!, featuring the music and lyrics by Fela Kuti, was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, features additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, and additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean. The musical is inspired by the authorized biography Fela: This Bitch of a Life by Carlos Moore. The press opening for this engagement is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 7 PM.

On Twitter Watch, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson wrote 'BREAKING NEWS! (best ever!) come july NYC you get ONE MORE CHANCE to see the return of @felamusical!!!!!! #itsback on #broadway #dontsleep FELA! will play the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) through April 15, 2012. It is directed by Bill T. Jones, is a provocative hybrid of dance, theatre and music exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. The show has become an international sensation having been performed in three continents. Olivier and Tony Award-nominated actor Sahr Ngaujah will lead the cast of FELA! He is joined by Melanie Marshall and Paulette Ivory, who co-starred with Ngaujah in the Olivier-nominated Royal National Theatre production. This touring production is a once in a lifetime experience, a glorious amalgam of the original casts of both Broadway and London's Royal National Theatre. A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, FELA! is the true story of Kuti, who created a 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. Featuring many of Fela Kuti's most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones's visionary staging, FELA! reveals Kuti's controversial life as an artist and political activist and celebrates his pioneering music. The production received its world premiere Off-Broadway in September 2008, and won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, before transferring to Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre in November 2009 where its accolades included three 2010 Tony Awards, for Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design, and an Astaire Award for Bill T. Jones' choreography. FELA! is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, and music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, the design and Tony Award winning costumes are by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Robert Wierzel and the Tony Award winning sound design by Robert Kaplowitz. FELA! is produced in association with Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, SlavaSmolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Susan Dietz/Mort Swinsky, Knitting Factory Entertainment and with Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson.'

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the title role of the new Broadway musical CHAPLIN. A new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, CHAPLIN will open on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. Additional casting and additional creative team to be announced soon.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents "FELA!," the recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards, as part of the Ordway's 2011-2012 Theater Season. "FELA!" is 'a provocative hybrid of dance, theater and music exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.'

CHAPLIN, a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Christopher Curtis, will open on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Finian's Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) directs and choreographs the production. Casting and additional creative team to be announced soon.

Broadway In Chicago's FELA! ends its extended run tonight, April 15.

Currently playing at the Oriental Theatre, FELA! has entered its final week of performances with Broadway in Chicago. Two of the lead actors from the touring production of the Broadway musical stopped by at ABC 7's studios for a special performance. Watch the video of the performance below!

FELA! plays at the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for two-weeks only through April 8, 2012.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that individual tickets for FELA! go on sale Sunday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. FELA! will play the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for two-weeks only March 27 - April 8, 2012.

FELA! will play the Academy of Music for a limited engagement through March 25 as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization.