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Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call

By: Nov. 24, 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) last night, November 23, 2009.

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. JonesSahr 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. JonesJim 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! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

The Fela! Ensemble

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Iris Wilson

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Saycon Sengbloh

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Iris Wilson

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Lillias White

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Lillias White

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
The cast of Fela!

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Lillias White

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Ismael Kouyate

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
The Cast of Fela!

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Bill T. Jones with Sahr Ngaujah and Lillias White

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Bill T. Jones

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
The Fela! Band!

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
The Fela! Band!

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Bill T. Jones and Sahr Ngaujah welcome the Kuti Family

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Lillias White and Kuti Family

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Sahr Ngaujah and Kuti Family

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
The cast and the Kuti Family

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image
Bill T. Jones and Kevin Mambo

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image

Photo Coverage: Fela! Opening Night Curtain Call  Image




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