Fela! Comes to Broadway
Posted on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 6:30 AMBy Louisa Olubukola Kinoshi
It’s Friday evening in New York, and the city begins to flood with tourists. A group of young African American males are break-dancing in Penn Station to Shakara by Fela, much to my surprise. While many of us Nigerians grew up listening to the King of Afrobeat, it is interesting to see how many people have been touched by Fela‘s music all over the world. While the great man is no longer alive, his music is still lives on. Thanks to a musical show coming to Broadway, a new generation will get to experience the sounds of Fela and learn about the struggles of Nigerians during military rule.
Fela! Cast
It was recently announced that Fela!, produced by legendary artistic director and choreographer Bill T. Jones, will be coming to Broadway in October. The show had an initial successful off-Broadway run last Fall and won a New York Magazine Award for Best Theater. It has also been reported that Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and possibly Will Smith and Denzel Washington will be investing in the $11 million production.
Sahr Ngaujah
Sierra Leonian Sahr Ngaujah will continue the role of Fela with a cast from all over the world. Performances begin October 19 2009 and tickets will be on sale soon. BN will definitely review the show but in the meantime, here’s the video promo for the musical.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wq4LwkrE5U&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.felaonbroadway.com%2F&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Tags: alicia keys, beyonce, Bill T. Jones, Broadway show, denzel washington, fela, Fela a new musical, fela broadway, jay-z, Louisa Kinoshi, Nigerian broadway show, Sahr Ngaujah, will smith
I saw this show off-broadway last summer in NY. It was off the chain. Go see it.
Abami eda! The Kalakuta President lives on!!
na were Seun and Femi dey o
Abami Eda lives on! This is definitely on my ‘must see’ list. One of the most creative souls to ever come out of Africa…….way ahead of his time.
wow, really wish i could see this. Fela’s lyrics always make me smile or think … genius!
So looking forward to October, I’m taking at least my father to see this.
I would love to see this – Why is it not in the UK!
I can’t wait to see this
the show was worth every last penny of the money i paid to see it last fall. now that its on broadway itself. i’m looking forward to an even better show.
i’m going to see this! thanksgiving weekend…i can’t wait. they shoulda had seun or femi kuti (with positive force band) do a cameo or something!
Hope they bring it to Nigeria…………I am a huge fan.
This show sounds totally off the hook !!
So when is it coming to the UK?
Defo worth taking a show like this on a world tour.