PalavaHut | Online African Village News, Views and Interviews from the African Diasporas
The story of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s life, music, and activism comes to Broadway in September and it looks like a show you cannot miss!
Audiences are sure to be delighted by the anticipated Broadway show, FELA! opening this fall in New York City. The new Broadway musical show will delve into the extravagant, decadent, rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Critics are hailing it as a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theatre.
Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the title role Off-Broadway, and Daytime Emmy Award winner Kevin Mambo will share the role of Fela, while Tony Award-winner Lillias White will play Funmilayo and Saycon Sengbloh will play Sandra. The cast will also include Corey Baker, Hettie Vyrine Barnhill, Lauren De Veaux, Nicole Chantal de Weever, Elasea Douglas, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Catherine Foster, Aimee Graham Wodobode, Rasaan-Elijah “Talu” Green, Abena Koomson, Ismael Kouyaté, Gelan Lambert, Farai Malianga, Shakira Marshall, Afi McClendon, Adesola Osakalumi, Jeffrey Page, Daniel Soto, Iris Wilson, and J.L. Williams.
The musical — which has a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and additional lyrics by Lewis — is about Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. It features his rousing music performed live onstage by the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson.
