By Adam Hetrick
16 Nov 2009

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter

Academy Award nominee Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Grammy winner Jay-Z have joined the producing team of Broadway's Fela!, which is scheduled to open at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Nov. 23.

Fela! marks the Broadway producing debut of Smith ("I Am Legend," Hancock," "Independence Day"), Pinkett Smith ("Hawthorne," "The Women," "Matrix Reloaded") and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, whose albums include "Blueprint 3" and "The Black Album."

Producers of the Broadway venture also include Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Susan Dietz/Margaret Selby, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions and Knitting Factory Entertainment, in association with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson.

Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that began previews on Broadway Oct. 19.

Sahr Ngaujah, who also starred in the title role Off-Broadway, alternates in the role with Kevin Mambo (Ruined). The principal cast also features Tony 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, 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.

Fela! features the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the musical direction of Aaron Johnson, performing Kuti's music live onstage. The musical has 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.

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