Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, officially opens tonight, November 23, minus a few high profile celebrity producers. It was planned for Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay-Z to all be in attendance for Fela!'s opening night, but due Smith's oldest son acquiring a sports related injury, the Smiths are no longer able to attend. Jay-Z will still be attending the opening night festivities including a red carpet appearance and the after party.
As announced earlier, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith enthusiastically joined the producing team of Fela! marking the first Broadway production that these entertainment icons have presented.
The critically acclaimed musical, which played to sold-out crowds dancing in the aisles during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, arrived on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. Fela! is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones.
Since 1995, multiple Grammy and award winner, Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Now in 2009, he personifies the "American Dream." Founder and chairman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sports clubs, Translation Advertising and Carol's Daughter skin line, as well as a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, JAY-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, JAY-Z released the Blueprint 3, his 11th #1 album, putting him ahead of Elvis for most #1 albums by a solo artist. He continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
Two-time Academy Award nominee Will Smith has enjoyed unprecedented success in a career encompassing films, television, and multi-platinum records. For his memorable portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's Ali, he received his first Academy Award nomination and that was followed by his second nomination for the true-life drama, The Pursuit of Happyness. Films in which Smith has acted include I Am Legend, Hancock, I, Robot, Independence Day, Men in Black and Men in Black II. Films in which Smith acted and also produced along with partner James Lassiter at Overbrook Entertainment include Hitch, ATL, The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds and The Human Contract.
Jada Pinkett Smith stars as Christina Hawthorne in TNT's newest medical drama "HawthoRNe." The show, which Jada executive produces through her Production Company 100% Womon, garnered critical acclaim for its first season. The second season will air in the summer of 2010. Recent films in which Jada has acted include Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (as the voice of Gloria), The Women, Reign Over Me, Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions. Jada wrote and directed The Human Contract and served as executive producer of The Secret Life of Bees. Additionally, Jada's 2005 children's book "Girls Hold Up This World" was a New York Times bestseller.
In this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis, 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), Fela! explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Featuring many of Fela Kuti's most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones's imaginative staging, Fela! is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.
