Fela! Arrives on Broadway Oct. 19 at the O'Neill

By Andrew Gans
and Adam Hetrick
19 Oct 2009

Fela! star Sahr Ngaujah
Fela! star Sahr Ngaujah
Photo by Monique Carboni

Following an acclaimed Off-Broadway run in fall 2008, Fela!, the new musical about the life of legendary African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, arrives on Broadway Oct. 19 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

Sahr Ngaujah, who starred in the title role Off-Broadway, again alternates in that role with Kevin Mambo (Ruined). The principal cast also features Tony Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Dreamgirls, Once On This Island) as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, and Hair's Saycon Sengbloh as his love interest, Sandra.

Completing the Fela! company are Corey Baker, Hettie Barnhill, Nicole Chantal DeWeever, Lauren Deveaux, Elasea Douglas, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Catherine Foster, Talu Green, Shaneeka Harrell, Chanon Judson, Abena Koomson, Ismael Kouyate, Gelan Lambert, Farai M. Malianga, Shakira Marshall, Afi McClendon, Adesola Osakalumi, Jeffrey Page, Daniel Soto, Jill M. Vallery, J.L. Williams, Iris Wilson and Aimee Graham Wodobode.

Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that features the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community — under the direction of Aaron Johnson — performing Kuti's music live onstage. The musical will officially open Nov. 23.

Fela! features a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and utilizes Anikulapo-Kuti's own music. Lewis, a Tony nominee for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, also penned additional lyrics. The musical was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.

In Fela!, according to production notes, "audiences are welcomed 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."

The design team includes scenic and costume designer Marina Draghici, lighting designer Rob Wierzel, sound designer Rob Kaplowitz and projection designer Peter Nigrini. Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean provide musical arrangements.

The musical, which earned the 2008 Lucille Lortel honor for Best Musical, played an acclaimed engagement at the now-closed 37 Arts in 2008. 37 Arts was also the birthplace of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights.

Fela! is produced on Broadway by Stephen & Ruth Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner and Daryl Roth/True Love Productions.

Visit FelaonBroadway.