PHOTO CALL: Sahr Ngaujah, Spike Lee, Lillias White, Bill T. Jones, Sarah Dash Celebrate Fela! on Closing Night

By Matthew Blank
03 Jan 2011

Sahr Ngaujah, Spike Lee, Lillias White, Bill T. Jones, Sarah Dash and the real-life Sandra Izsadore were among those on hand for the final Broadway performance of Fela! the evening of Jan. 2.

After an acclaimed run Off-Broadway in 2008, Fela! began previews on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. On closing night, the musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer Fela Anikulapo Kuti starred Kevin Mambo in the title role with Grammy winner Patti LaBelle.

Here is a look at the final curtain call and party:



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Saycon Sengbloh, Kevin Mambo, Sahr Ngaujah and Patti LaBelle
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN


 

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."

On Nov. 16, 2010, Fela! opened at the Royal National Theatre in London, starring Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the title role on Broadway. An international tour of Fela! is currently being booked by Margaret Selby of CAMI Spectrum and Gary McAvay of CAMI Theatricals; dates will be announced shortly.

 

Visit FelaonBroadway.com.