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FELA!Opening Date: November 16, 2010
Closing Date: January 23, 2011 Air date: January 13, 2011 Medium: cinema Where to watch: Not currently available |
Stage Production Notes
FELA! is a musical about Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, who developed a unique style of music known as AfroBeat. AfroBeat is a blending of African rhythms and harmonies with jazz and funk, and its lyrics contain powerful political and social messages. For the criticisms contained within his music, Fela Kuti was subject to countless beatings and physical harassment. He died in 1997.
From its off-Broadway beginnings to its Broadway run and subsequent national tour, FELA! was praised as a ground-breaking musical, bringing a new style of music to musical theatre. Critics universally praised the pulsing music, leading man Sahr Ngaujah, and the vibrant and sexy performances of the female ensemble.
The production began life in around 2004 as a series of workshops at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico.
The production received further development through a successful and highly acclaimed off-Broadway run at 37 Arts. The show attracted big name celebrities, and was described by the Ahmir (Questlove) Thompson, drummer for The Roots, as “the best musical ever created”.
The off-Broadway run attracted many big name Broadway producers, however the creative team went with pop musician Jay Z and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith to take fund the journey to Broadway. Jay Z reportedly signed on to the show because he was “inspired by the power of Kuti’s music and life story.”
FELA! opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway on November 23, 2009 and closed on Jan 2, 2011. The theatre was converted in a nightclub for the show, complete with mirror balls, actors performing in the aisles, and audience participation.
Writing for the New York Times, theatre critic Ben Brantley raved about the show, stating it “throbs with a stirring newness that is not to be confused with novelty.”
The Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound Design of a Musical.
The production toured nationally, continuing to earn high critical praise. In addressing the choice of the musical to honor the memory of Travyon Martin by having his name prominently displayed on the set at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones noted Fela! is “…is a very unusual Broadway musical…[it] is not set in stone in the usual way of such things but rather is a pulsing, organic entity determined, like its subject, to make its political positions known.”
Fela! returned to Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in 2012 for a special limited engagement between July 12 and August 14, 2012.
Despite participating in early publicity for the show, Carlos Moore, Fela Kuti’s sole official biographer, tried to sue the creators in 2010 for breach of copyright for failing to credit his book, Fela: This Bitch of a Life as the show’s source material. The case was resolved a year later, with the production agreeing to “Inspired by the authorized biography Fela, Fela: This Bitch of a Life!, by Carlos Moore” in Playbills for the show.
FELA! is a musical about Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, who developed a unique style of music known as AfroBeat. AfroBeat is a blending of African rhythms and harmonies with jazz and funk, and its lyrics contain powerful political and social messages. For the criticisms contained within his music, Fela Kuti was subject to countless beatings and physical harassment. He died in 1997.
From its off-Broadway beginnings to its Broadway run and subsequent national tour, FELA! was praised as a ground-breaking musical, bringing a new style of music to musical theatre. Critics universally praised the pulsing music, leading man Sahr Ngaujah, and the vibrant and sexy performances of the female ensemble.
The production began life in around 2004 as a series of workshops at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico.
The production received further development through a successful and highly acclaimed off-Broadway run at 37 Arts. The show attracted big name celebrities, and was described by the Ahmir (Questlove) Thompson, drummer for The Roots, as “the best musical ever created”.
The off-Broadway run attracted many big name Broadway producers, however the creative team went with pop musician Jay Z and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith to take fund the journey to Broadway. Jay Z reportedly signed on to the show because he was “inspired by the power of Kuti’s music and life story.”
FELA! opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway on November 23, 2009 and closed on Jan 2, 2011. The theatre was converted in a nightclub for the show, complete with mirror balls, actors performing in the aisles, and audience participation.
Writing for the New York Times, theatre critic Ben Brantley raved about the show, stating it “throbs with a stirring newness that is not to be confused with novelty.”
The Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound Design of a Musical.
The production toured nationally, continuing to earn high critical praise. In addressing the choice of the musical to honor the memory of Travyon Martin by having his name prominently displayed on the set at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones noted Fela! is “…is a very unusual Broadway musical…[it] is not set in stone in the usual way of such things but rather is a pulsing, organic entity determined, like its subject, to make its political positions known.”
Fela! returned to Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in 2012 for a special limited engagement between July 12 and August 14, 2012.
Despite participating in early publicity for the show, Carlos Moore, Fela Kuti’s sole official biographer, tried to sue the creators in 2010 for breach of copyright for failing to credit his book, Fela: This Bitch of a Life as the show’s source material. The case was resolved a year later, with the production agreeing to “Inspired by the authorized biography Fela, Fela: This Bitch of a Life!, by Carlos Moore” in Playbills for the show.
Filmed Production Notes
When FELA! opened in London, it became the first show staged at the National Theatre to also be running on Broadway. The production featured Sahr Ngaujah, who had originated the title role.
The London production received positive reviews, though they were not nearly as enthusiastic as the New York reviews.
The National Theatre run was sold out, and shortly after the show transferred to Sadler’s Wells for a limited engagement.
The National Theatre production was filmed and broadcast in cinemas around the world on January 13, 2011 as part of the National Theatre’s successful NT: Live! program.
Reviews noted that the live capture was not able to re-create the show’s electric atmosphere, and a few critics also noted that the sound and lighting occasionally didn’t read well on the screen. Despite these issues, reviewers praised the vibrancy of the production and repeatedly encouraged readers to attend a screening.
FELA! is not currently available to view.
When FELA! opened in London, it became the first show staged at the National Theatre to also be running on Broadway. The production featured Sahr Ngaujah, who had originated the title role.
The London production received positive reviews, though they were not nearly as enthusiastic as the New York reviews.
The National Theatre run was sold out, and shortly after the show transferred to Sadler’s Wells for a limited engagement.
The National Theatre production was filmed and broadcast in cinemas around the world on January 13, 2011 as part of the National Theatre’s successful NT: Live! program.
Reviews noted that the live capture was not able to re-create the show’s electric atmosphere, and a few critics also noted that the sound and lighting occasionally didn’t read well on the screen. Despite these issues, reviewers praised the vibrancy of the production and repeatedly encouraged readers to attend a screening.
FELA! is not currently available to view.
FELA! PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Olivier Theatre, London
Producer: Jay Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, National Theatre
Book: Jim Lewis, Bill T. Jones
Music: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean
Lyrics: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Additional lyrics: Jim Lewis
Director: Bill T. Jones, film: Nick Wickham
Musical Director: Aaron Johnson
Orchestrations: Aaron Johnson
Choreography: Bill T. Jones
Scenic Design: Marina Draghici
Costume Design: Marina Draghici
Lighting Design: Robert Wierzel
Sound Design: Robert Kaplowitz
Video Design: Peter Nigrini
Hair, Wig, and Make-Up Design: Cookie Jordan
Cast:
Sahr Ngaujah (Fela), Melanie Marshal (Sadie/Fela’s mother), Craig Stein (JK Brimar/Egungun), Paulette Ivory (Sandra Izsadore), Sylla Allanssane-Papson (Ismael/Geraldo Pino/Eshu), Kwame Peter Crentsil (Djeme drummer), Jacqui Dubois (Palamena), Lydie Alberto (One of the Queens), Sherinne Kayra Anderson (One of the Queens), Cindy Belliot (One of the Queens), Nandi Bhebhe (One of the Queens), Scarlette Douglas (One of the Queens), Poundo Gomis (One of the Queens), Tamara Mckoy Patterson (One of the Queens), Catia Mota Da Cruz (One of the Queens), Aisha Jawando (One of the Queens/Swings), Wanjiru Kamuyu (One of the Queens/Swings), Shelley-Ann Maxwell (One of the Queens/Swings), Jazmine Jarret Thrope (One of the Queens/Swings), Jermaine Rowe (One of the Featured Dancers/Area Boys), Ira Mandela Siobhan (One of the Featured Dancers/Area Boys), Jonathan Andre (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Nyron Levy (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Thierry Picaut (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Ricardo Coke Thomas (One of the Area Boys/Swings)
Musicians:
Jean-Marie “Leon” Brichard (bass), Harry Brown (trombone), Laurence Corns (guitar) Jon Gingell (guitar), Robin Hopcraft (trumpet), Tamar Osborn (baritone saxophone) Maurizio Ravalico (congas), Satin Singh (percussion), Tom Skinner (kit), Dele Sosimi (keyboard), Justin Thurgur (trombone)
Theatre: Olivier Theatre, London
Producer: Jay Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, National Theatre
Book: Jim Lewis, Bill T. Jones
Music: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean
Lyrics: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Additional lyrics: Jim Lewis
Director: Bill T. Jones, film: Nick Wickham
Musical Director: Aaron Johnson
Orchestrations: Aaron Johnson
Choreography: Bill T. Jones
Scenic Design: Marina Draghici
Costume Design: Marina Draghici
Lighting Design: Robert Wierzel
Sound Design: Robert Kaplowitz
Video Design: Peter Nigrini
Hair, Wig, and Make-Up Design: Cookie Jordan
Cast:
Sahr Ngaujah (Fela), Melanie Marshal (Sadie/Fela’s mother), Craig Stein (JK Brimar/Egungun), Paulette Ivory (Sandra Izsadore), Sylla Allanssane-Papson (Ismael/Geraldo Pino/Eshu), Kwame Peter Crentsil (Djeme drummer), Jacqui Dubois (Palamena), Lydie Alberto (One of the Queens), Sherinne Kayra Anderson (One of the Queens), Cindy Belliot (One of the Queens), Nandi Bhebhe (One of the Queens), Scarlette Douglas (One of the Queens), Poundo Gomis (One of the Queens), Tamara Mckoy Patterson (One of the Queens), Catia Mota Da Cruz (One of the Queens), Aisha Jawando (One of the Queens/Swings), Wanjiru Kamuyu (One of the Queens/Swings), Shelley-Ann Maxwell (One of the Queens/Swings), Jazmine Jarret Thrope (One of the Queens/Swings), Jermaine Rowe (One of the Featured Dancers/Area Boys), Ira Mandela Siobhan (One of the Featured Dancers/Area Boys), Jonathan Andre (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Nyron Levy (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Thierry Picaut (One of the Area Boys/Swings), Ricardo Coke Thomas (One of the Area Boys/Swings)
Musicians:
Jean-Marie “Leon” Brichard (bass), Harry Brown (trombone), Laurence Corns (guitar) Jon Gingell (guitar), Robin Hopcraft (trumpet), Tamar Osborn (baritone saxophone) Maurizio Ravalico (congas), Satin Singh (percussion), Tom Skinner (kit), Dele Sosimi (keyboard), Justin Thurgur (trombone)
Sources
- Michael Billington, “Fela! - review,” The Guardian (Nov 16, 2010)
- Ben Brantley, “Afrobeat’s King, Recrowned,” New York Times (Sept 4, 2008)
- Ben Brantley, “Making Music Mightier Than the Sword,” New York Times (Nov 24, 2009)
- BWW News Desk, “National Theatre Live to Broadcast FELA! Around the World,” BroadwayWorld (Dec 14, 2010)
- Chris Caggiano, “Review - Fela "Live" From the National Theater,” Everything I Know I Learned from Musicals (Jan 14, 2011)
- Andrew Gans, “Most Happy Fela!: New Musical Extends Off-Broadway Run,” Playbill (Sept 12, 2008)
- Michael Gioia, “Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Fela! Will Be Part of Kimmel Center's 2011-2012 Season,” Playbill (May 10, 2011)
- Amelia Hill, “Fela! musical is sued by biographer,” The Guardian (Nov 9, 2010)
- Richard Hornby, “National Theatre Live,” The Hudson Review, 64 (1), The Spanish Issue (Spring 2011), pp. 196-202
- Lindsay Jenkins, “Sounds of a Sacred Monster,” Theatre Jones (Jan 20, 2011)
- Andrew Johnston, “Fela!”, Culture Northern Ireland (Jan 17, 2011)
- Chris Jones, “'Fela!' a swirl of African jams, justice,” Chicago Tribune (March 29, 2012)
- Jeff Lunden, “Can Afrobeat Musical 'Fela!' Move The Masses?” NPR: All Things Considered (Dec 28, 2009)
- Bill Marx, “Fuse Theater Review: A Most Engaging “FELA!”,” Arts Fuse (Jan 14, 2011)
- Jon Pareles, “‘Fela!’ Broadway? Dance!” New York Times (Nov 19, 2009)
- Ian Shuttleworth, “Fela!, National Theatre (Olivier), London,” Financial Times (Nov 19, 2010)
- Playbill Staff, “From Fela! to The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, A Look at the 2012-13 Season: Special Engagements,” Playbill (April 26, 2013)
- Steven Roberts, “JAY-Z BECOMES A BROADWAY PRODUCER FOR ‘FELA!’,” MTV News (Nov 24, 2009)
- Mark Shenton, “Broadway's Fela! Opens at London's National Theatre Nov. 16,” Playbill (Nov 16, 2010)
- Lemn Sissay, “Carlos Moore resolves case against FELA THE MUSICAL,” Lemn Sissay, Accessed via: http://blog.lemnsissay.com/2011/12/18/fela-kuti-biographer-carlos-moore-resolves-case-against-fela-the-musical/#sthash.BNowiqgU.dpbs
- FELA website, Accessed via: http://fela.net/about/
- National Theatre, FELA! Accessed via: http://microsites.nationaltheatre.org.uk/felalondon/
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017)