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Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!

By: Nov. 29, 2009
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Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on November 23, 2009.

The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Recent Gypsy Robe honoree, WHITE CHRISTMAS' Joseph Medeiros passed the special Broadway garment on to Adesola Osakalumi backstage at the Marquis before the opening night performance and we were there too!

This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo will play the title character on alternate performances, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of AaRon Johnson, will again perform Kuti's rousing music live onstage.

Winner of this year's Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. Fela! had its world premiere at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts in September 2008, where it enjoyed a sold-out limited run. Tickets for Fela! on Broadway are available through www.Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

In this revolutionary 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! exploresKuti'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.

 

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Kevin Mambo & Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Aimee Graham Wodobode & Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
The Ensemble of FELA!

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Making their Broadway Dedut

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Making their Broadway Dedut

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Making their Broadway Dedut

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Making their Broadway Dedut

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Making their Broadway Dedut

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Reading the Gypsy Robe Proclamation

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Joseph Medeiros (Gypsy Robe Winner - WHITE CHRISTMAS)

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Bill T. Jones & Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image

Adesola Osakalumi

 

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image

 

Adesola Osakalumi

 

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image

 

Adesola Osakalumi

 

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Presented with a gift from the cast

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Bill T. Jones with Kevin Mambo & the Fela Anikulapo-Huti Family

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Bill T. Jones with Kevin Mambo & the Fela Anikulapo-Huti Family

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) with Kevin Mambo, Sahr Ngaujah, Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) with Kevin Mambo, Sahr Ngaujah, Lilias White

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: FELA! Gypsy Robe Ceremony!  Image
Adesola Osakalumi (Gypsy Robe Winner - FELA !) & Bill T. Jones




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