Photo Coverage: Closing Night of FELA! on Broadway
By: Peter James Zielinski Jan. 05, 2011
On January 2, Fela!, the multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about the music and life of the revolutionary musician and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, ended it's run at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. The critically acclaimed musical began performances on Broadway on October 19 of 2009 and opened to rave reviews on November 23, 2009. Check out photos from the final performance below!
On Thursday, January 13, audiences around the world will have the opportunity to see the recently opened Royal National Theater acclaimed production of Fela! on the big screen. Fela!, with the original Broadway star Sahr Ngaujah in the title-role, will be filmed live and broadcast via satellite to over 300 movie theaters around the world through the National Theater's successful NT Live series. An international tour of Fela! is currently being booked by Margaret Selby of CAMI Spectrum and Gary McAvay of CAMI Theatricals and will kick off early next year in Europe. Dates and markets to be announced shortly.
Fela!, the most recent Broadway show honored by a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama, is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Kevin Mambo (Emmy Award-winning star of "Guiding Light" and "One Life to Live") plays the title character at alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of AaRon Johnson, perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage. Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.
Fela!, the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation, is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Kuti's captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, Kuti defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.
Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Susan Dietz/Mort Swinsky and Knitting Factory Entertainment, in association with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson present Fela!, a new musical, based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue).
Kevin Mambo, Patti LaBelle, and The cast of FELA!
Kevin Mambo and The cast of FELA!
Sahr Ngaujah and guest
Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski
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