OVERVIEW
Direct from Broadway!
“There should be dancing in the streets.”
- The New York Times
First, you’ll feel it in your feet.
Then you’ll feel it in your soul .
That’s the undeniable power of FELA!
Legendary Nigerian Fela Kuti was a musical dynamo and
a political powder keg who used his supercharged and
sexy Afrobeat sound and charismatic spirit to ignite and
inspire a generation to dare challenge a government of
oppression.
"More than a musical. An ecstatic phenomenon!"
- Time Out, New York
FELA ! is both rave and theatrical wonder. Thanks to Fela’s
captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award® winner Bill T. Jones, this tale of courage, passion and
love will shake you: body and soul.
In addition to his Tony Award® for FELA !, Bill T. Jones was celebrated
in 2010 with a Kennedy Center Honor along with Merle Haggard,
Jerry Herman, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey.
Presented by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter , Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
Free Music Download
FELA: “Water No Get Enemy”
Exclusively from the musical Fela!, this free music selection is available courtesy of Knitting Factory Records.
KCRW’s Tom Schnabel remembers Fela Kuti in L.A.
KCRW has a long relationship with the Nigerian firebrand known as Fela Anikulapo (one who stares death in the eye) Kuti. It started in 1980 when our first African show, Morning Goes Makossa, started airing every Tuesday in the third hour of Morning Becomes Eclectic. More online...
LA Weekly Feature: 'Fela Kuti's Lover and Mentor Sandra Smith Talks About Afrobeat's L.A. Origins, as Fela! Musical Arrives at the Ahmanson'
At the time of his death in 1997, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was known by many names: Afrobeat pioneer, a political instigator, husband to 27 wives, just to name a few. The Nigerian musician had spread his fiery brand of African party music around the world, serving up biting social commentary sugar-coated with blasting horns, slithering Rhodes keyboards and undulating beats that ignited global dance floors. His incredible life is chronicled in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Fela!
More online…
KPCC-FM Feature:
“Fela! finally comes to Los Angeles”
On your way to the show, listen to a recent feature presented on the Madeleine Brand show on NPR station KPCC-FM. Visit the KPCC listenerpage with your browser.
CREDITS
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Book by
Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones
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Music by
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
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Directed and Choreographed by
Bill T. Jones
Sponsor
Media Sponsor
