FELA!

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 opening 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.

Olivier and Tony 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.

FELA premiered off-Broadway in September of 2008 and won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical before transferring to Broadway in November 2009 where its accolades included three 2010 Tony Awards including one for Best Choreography. Bill T. Jones also received the Astaire Award for Best Choreographer of the year in addition to this country’s most prestigious award, The Kennedy Center Honors.