Revolutionary New Musical Fela! Stirs Broadway
Revolutionary New Musical Fela! Stirs BroadwaySo beckons Fela! -- a show that dares to call itself the "most original new musical on Broadway." The tuner begins previews tonight at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
During its earlier 2008 incarnation at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts Theatre, Fela! won both critical praise and honors, including three Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Choregraphy for director Bill T. Jones (who earlier earned a Tony for his choreography of Spring Awakening) and Outstanding Costume Design for Marina Draghici.
Influenced by the Black Panthers during a late-sixties stay in the United States, Anikulapo-Kuti returned home to Nigeria and challenged the government's corruption through music the ruling party found highly incendiary. He also organized his own self-declared Kalakuta Republic, a commune which was later burned. After forming his own political party, Movement for the People, Anikulapo-Kuti tried putting himself forth as a presidential candidate, only to be quashed.
At one time, Anikulapo-Kuti also had 27 wives, although he later declared "marriage brings jealousy and selfishness."
Bill T. Jones was clearly inspired, thus conceiving and writing the book for this musical. The Fela! Web site described the production as follows:
If you like soul-stirring rhythms, compelling real-life stories and passionate choreography, you will love Fela!
Fela! is a new musical directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, in which audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.
Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s visionary staging, Fela! is the most original new musical on Broadway.
Labels: Bill T. Jones, Broadway, Musical, Off-Broadway, Previews, Transfer
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, October 19, 2009
10 Comments:
I'm looking forward to this, especially since the show will bring the divine Lilias White back to Broadway!
BroadwayBaby, Thank you for mentioning Lilias White's involvement in the production. I neglected to mention the cast for Fela!.
And Saycon Sengbloh is in it, too! She left Hair for Fela. I hope it's a good move for her. I'm sure it's a bigger role.
Ooh yes, Saycon is another great reason to see this show.
I think the show is great. I just feel like the tap dancing could be stronger. Plenty of real hoffers out there
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Tuhin, your advertising is disguised as a comment. Read #4 in the ground rules and you'll see that they are not tolerated.
I saw the show on 11/17/09, and it's a wonderfuly powerful and engaging show! Not the usual musical fluff that is being shown on Bway these days. I think a mature audience will appreciate it.
I agree, April. Look for my SOB Review on November 24!
I always love going musical Theater theaters. Bill Jones had great job. He really deserve the award. :D
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