Fela! 2009 - Articles Page 2

Run Time:
2 hours and 40 minutes, with one intermission
Opened: November 23, 2009
Closing: January 02, 2011

Fela! - 2009 - Broadway History , Info & More

Fela!, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, welcomes audiences into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), the musical explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.



Fela! features a multi-cultural cast led by Sahr Ngaujah (recipient of an Obie Award for his performance in the title role Off- Broadway) and Kevin Mambo (MTC’s Ruined), alternating in the role of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Tony Award-winner Lillias White plays Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Fela’s mother) and Saycon Sengbloh (Hair) plays Sandra, Kuti’s love interest.

Fela! - 2009 - Broadway Cast

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Fela! - 2009 - Broadway Articles Page 2

Kids' Night on Broadway HALLOWEEN Tickets Now On Sale
by Gabrielle Sierra - August 5, 2010


Tickets to participating shows for a special Halloween KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY (KidsNightonBroadway.com) are currently on sale.

Photographer Sues FELA! For Unauthorized Photograph Use
by Abigail Arnold - July 29, 2010


Photographer Marilyn Nance is suing the musical FELA! for unauthorized use of one of her photographs, the New York Post reports.

Fela's Son Sees FELA!; Musical to be Produced in Lagos
by Nicolas Coburn - July 14, 2010


The New York Times reports that Femi Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, saw FELA! while in New York on Sunday. Previously, Kuti would not see the production unless it was brought to Lagos, where his father originally built the nightclub. On Saturday, over a World Cup viewing with FELA! co-conceiver and producer Stephen Hendel, Kuti was promised the show will see a production in Lagos. Said Hendel: 'We're going to keep our word.'

Broadway in Bryant Park 2010 Kicks Off 7/8
by BWW News Desk - July 8, 2010


The best of Broadway will be presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series beginning on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage.

Ngaujah, Ivory, Marshall et al. to Star in London FELA!
by Abigail Arnold - July 6, 2010


Casting for the London production of FELA! has been announced, Grace Notes reports. As previously reported on BroadwayWorld, the production will star Sahr Ngaujah, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production, as Nigerian composer and activist Fela Kuti. The production will also star Paulette Ivory and Melanie Marshall.

FELA! Celebrates 250th Performance Tonight
by Gabrielle Sierra - June 30, 2010


Fela!, recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Choreography, will celebrate its 250th performance on Wednesday, June 30 @ 8pm. Produced by Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, this critically acclaimed show based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Kuti, began performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on October 19 and opened to rave reviews on November 23.

Full Lineup Set For Broadway in Bryant Park 2010, Kicks Off 7/8
by Gabrielle Sierra - June 25, 2010


The best of Broadway will be presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series beginning on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage.

RIALTO CHATTER: FELA! to Play Nigeria?
by Rialto Chatter - June 17, 2010


According to contactmusic.com, FELA! has been asked by officials at the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to perform in Nigeria this October. A FELA! performance would be part of the celebration for the country's 50 years of independence.

TV: 2010 Tonys Creative Arts Awards - Robert Kaplowitz
by Robert Diamond - June 17, 2010


If you missed the online broadcast of the pre-televised 2010 Tony Awards ceremony, honoring the best in Creative Arts on Broadway in the 2009-2010 season, here is your chance to watch the award presentations! Courtesy of TonyAwards.com, BroadwayWorld is bringing you the presentations to all of the 2010 Creative Arts Tony Award winners and honorary Tony Award recipients Alan Ayckbourn, Marian Seldes, David Hyde Pierce and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

TV: 2010 Tonys Creative Arts Awards - Marina Draghici
by Robert Diamond - June 17, 2010


If you missed the online broadcast of the pre-televised 2010 Tony Awards ceremony, honoring the best in Creative Arts on Broadway in the 2009-2010 season, here is your chance to watch the award presentations! Courtesy of TonyAwards.com, BroadwayWorld is bringing you the presentations to all of the 2010 Creative Arts Tony Award winners and honorary Tony Award recipients Alan Ayckbourn, Marian Seldes, David Hyde Pierce and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

TV: 2010 Tony Winner - Bill T. Jones
by Robert Diamond - June 14, 2010


Broadway Beat was backstage at the 2010 Tony Awards talking to ALL the winners right after they won! Here, host Richard Ridge talks to Bill T. Jones, recipient of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography for FELA!

STAGE TUBE: FELA! at the 2010 Tonys!
by Gabrielle Sierra - June 14, 2010


Fela was nominated for Best Musical at the 2010 Tony Awards. Although they didn't walk away this this honor, the show did win for Best Costume Design of a Musical, and Best Choreography.

Photo Coverage: FELA! Tony After-Party!
by Monica Simoes - June 14, 2010


Last night, June 13, the 64th Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall. Hosted by PROMISES, PROMISES star Sean Hayes and Broadcast on CBS, the evening honored movie stars (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson), industry vets (Katie Finneran, Michael Grandage), Broadway newcomers (Eddie Redmayne, David Bryan, Douglas Hodge) and more, including FELA!'s own director/choreographer, Bill T. Jones and costume designer Marina Draghici.

TV: TONYS unplugged - FELA! - A Dance Circle
by Robert Diamond - June 11, 2010


Watch the first part of TONYS unplugged featuring FELA! See songs from the Best Musical nominees performed in an intimate setting, giving you a whole new love for their great music! More episodes are coming soon to TonyAwards.com. Here, the cast of FELA! performs A Dance Circle!

FELA! Original Cast Recording To Be Released 6/8
by BWW News Desk - June 8, 2010


Knitting Factory Records is excited to announce the June 8th release of Fela! - Original Broadway Cast Recording. The record documents the magic of the hit Broadway musical that Ben Brantley of the New York Times called 'hot (and seriously cool).'

London FELA! To be Filmed and Broadcast
by Robert Diamond - June 7, 2010


Audiences around the world will be able to experience FELA!, the new hit Broadway musical about the life and music of legendary Nigerian performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, when it is broadcast in January 2011 on movie screens around the globe as part of NT Live, the initiative by London's National Theatre to broadcast live performances of plays to a world audience.

Photo Coverage: FELA! Producers Honor FELA! at The Palm
by Brian Estrada - May 21, 2010


Last night, May 20, the producers of FELA! hosted a post-theater reception at The Palm in midtown for Broadway national tour presenters from across the country who are in town for the Spring League Conference and for members of the FELA! company in celebration of thier 11 Tony Award nominations - the most of any show this season. In attendence were Tony nominated producers Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Stephen & Ruth Hendel, Tony-nominated director & choreographer Bill T. Jones, and Tony-nominated stars Sahr Ngaujah and Lillias White. BroadwayWorld was also on hand to celebrate.

Fela! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Fela! have there been?
Fela! has had 6 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 2008, Off-Broadway which opened in 2008, Broadway which opened in 2009, West End which opened in 2010, US Tour which opened in 2011 and Broadway which opened in 2012.
What awards has Fela! been nominated for?
Fela! has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Bill T. Jones, Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Aaron Johnson and Antibalas, Performance at the Obie Awards for Sahr Ngaujah, Outstanding Choreographer at The Lortels for Bill T. Jones, Outstanding Costume Design at The Lortels for Marina Draghici, Outstanding Musical at The Lortels for Ruth and Stephen Hendel, Outstanding Musical at The Lortels for Roy Gabay, and Outstanding Musical at The Lortels for Roy Gabay.
What awards has Fela! won?
Fela! has won several awards, including Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Bill T. Jones, Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Aaron Johnson and Antibalas, Performance at the Obie Awards for Sahr Ngaujah, Outstanding Choreographer at The Lortels for Bill T. Jones, Outstanding Costume Design at The Lortels for Marina Draghici, and Outstanding Musical at The Lortels for Ruth and Stephen Hendel, as well as for Roy Gabay.

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