Fela! Show Poster

Fela! News & Features

Fela! explores Fela Anikulapo Kuti's controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician as well as his pioneering blend of jazz, funk and traditional African rhythms that launched the Afrobeat community.

This show is closed.

Performances ended on Aug. 4, 2012.

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About Fela!

What Is Fela! About?
Upon entering the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, audiences of Fela! find themselves in the “Afrika Shrine,” a 1970s Lagos nightclub and political stage belonging to the show’s namesake central character, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Through song, dance and onstage banter with the audience, Fela (a real-life historical figure from Nigeria) begins to share the extraordinary details of his life, from his travels across the globe to his development of the show’s signature fusion of jazz, funk and traditional African drum music known as Afrobeat. Fela, his band and his tribe of wives (the real man had, at one point, 27 spouses) also depict their politically oppressed Nigera, a country terrorized by its own government, and the crimes committed by their leaders against them. As stories from tragic to inspiring unfold, exhilarating song and dance drive one man’s legendary journey forward.

Fela!’s Melanie Marshall on the ‘Dream Come True’ of Traveling the World as Mama Kuti
First Person
Fela!’s Melanie Marshall on the ‘Dream Come True’ of Traveling the World as Mama Kuti
Feel the Afrobeat on the Pulsating Opening Night of Fela!
On the Scene
Feel the Afrobeat on the Pulsating Opening Night of Fela!
The Beat Is On! Tony-Nominated Afrobeat Musical Fela! Celebrates a Starry Broadway Return
Photo Op
The Beat Is On! Tony-Nominated Afrobeat Musical Fela! Celebrates a Starry Broadway Return
Tony-Nominated Afrobeat Musical Fela! Returns to Broadway
Curtain Up
Tony-Nominated Afrobeat Musical Fela! Returns to Broadway
Tickets for Broadway Return of Fela! Now on Sale
Now On Sale
Tickets for Broadway Return of Fela! Now on Sale
Afrobeat Musical Fela! Returns to Broadway For Limited 2012 Summer Run
News
Afrobeat Musical Fela! Returns to Broadway For Limited 2012 Summer Run
Fela! Returns to the Great White Way
First Performance
Fela! Returns to the Great White Way
Author Brings Lawsuit Against Broadway’s Fela!
News
Author Brings Lawsuit Against Broadway’s Fela!
Fela! Finishes Its Broadway Run
Final Bow
Fela! Finishes Its Broadway Run
Sahr Nguajah Departs Fela!, Kevin Mambo Takes Over Title Role
News
Sahr Nguajah Departs Fela!, Kevin Mambo Takes Over Title Role
Fela! Wins 2010 Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus
News
Fela! Wins 2010 Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus
Ring them Belles! Fela! Celebrates the Addition of Music Legend Patti LaBelle
Videos
Ring them Belles! Fela! Celebrates the Addition of Music Legend Patti LaBelle
Watch Patti LaBelle Raise the Roof in Fela!
Videos
Watch Patti LaBelle Raise the Roof in Fela!
Fela! Welcomes R&B; Legend Patti LaBelle to the Family
Photo Op
Fela! Welcomes R&B Legend Patti LaBelle to the Family
Bruce Springsteen Joins The Rising at Fela!
Photo Op
Bruce Springsteen Joins The Rising at Fela!
Fela! to Close January 2; Patti LaBelle Extends Run
News
Fela! to Close January 2; Patti LaBelle Extends Run
R&B; Queen Patti LaBelle to Join Broadway's Fela! This September
News
R&B Queen Patti LaBelle to Join Broadway's Fela! This September
Complete Casting Announced for Fela! on the West End
News
Complete Casting Announced for Fela! on the West End
Singer Jason Mraz & New York Jet James Ihedigdo Feel the Beat at Fela!
Photo Op
Singer Jason Mraz & New York Jet James Ihedigdo Feel the Beat at Fela!
Fela! Bangs Some Afrobeat at Radio City
Watch It
Fela! Bangs Some Afrobeat at Radio City
Everybody say 'Yea Yea' to Lillias White's Splashy Ensemble
Red Carpet Knockouts
Everybody say 'Yea Yea' to Lillias White's Splashy Ensemble
Broadway's Fela! Bound for the Big Screen
News
Broadway's Fela! Bound for the Big Screen
The Diva is In! Fela!'s Lillias White Answers (and Sings!) Your Burning Questions
Ask a Star Video
The Diva is In! Fela!'s Lillias White Answers (and Sings!) Your Burning Questions
Everybody Say Yea, Yea to Sahr Ngaujah's Eclectic Fela! Digs
My Space
Everybody Say Yea, Yea to Sahr Ngaujah's Eclectic Fela! Digs
Fela! Scribe Jim Lewis on the Show's Wild Ride to 11 Tony Nominations
First Person
Fela! Scribe Jim Lewis on the Show's Wild Ride to 11 Tony Nominations
Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Say ‘Yeah Yeah’ at Fela! Fete
Photo Op
Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Say ‘Yeah Yeah’ at Fela! Fete
Fela!’s Lillias White is Looking for the Twin for Her First Tony Award
2010 Tony Reactions
Fela!’s Lillias White is Looking for the Twin for Her First Tony Award
Fela! Writer Jim Lewis Loves His Nomination, Not the Limelight
2010 Tony Reactions
Fela! Writer Jim Lewis Loves His Nomination, Not the Limelight
Three-Time Nominee Bill T. Jones Predicts a 'Wild Evening' at Fela!
2010 Tony Reactions
Three-Time Nominee Bill T. Jones Predicts a 'Wild Evening' at Fela!
Fela!’s Sahr Ngaujah Promises Nomination Won’t Go to His Head
2010 Tony Reactions
Fela!’s Sahr Ngaujah Promises Nomination Won’t Go to His Head
Visit Saycon Sengbloh's 'Presidential Suite' at Broadway Hit Fela!
My Space
Visit Saycon Sengbloh's 'Presidential Suite' at Broadway Hit Fela!
Madonna Moves Her Hips to the Rhythm of Broadway’s Fela!
Photo Op
Madonna Moves Her Hips to the Rhythm of Broadway’s Fela!
Fela! Star Sahr Ngaujah on His 'Holy Sh*t' Moment
Fresh Face
Fela! Star Sahr Ngaujah on His 'Holy Sh*t' Moment
Fela! Gives Back With Energetic Actors Fund Performance
Photo Op
Fela! Gives Back With Energetic Actors Fund Performance
Fela! Performs on The View
TV Appearance
Fela! Performs on The View
Big-Belting Fela! Star Lillias White is Taking Your Questions Now
Ask a Star
Big-Belting Fela! Star Lillias White is Taking Your Questions Now
Broadway's Fela! Brings 'Zombie' Rhythm to The Colbert Report
Watch It
Broadway's Fela! Brings 'Zombie' Rhythm to The Colbert Report
Feature Film Bio of Fela in the Works
News
Feature Film Bio of Fela in the Works
December 6 Performance of Fela! Canceled Due to Cast Injuries
News
December 6 Performance of Fela! Canceled Due to Cast Injuries
A Powerful Opening Night for Innovative New Musical Fela!
Videos
A Powerful Opening Night for Innovative New Musical Fela!
New Musical Fela! Turns Broadway Upside Down at Starry Opening Night
Photo Op
New Musical Fela! Turns Broadway Upside Down at Starry Opening Night
Was Our Word of Mouth Panel Moved by the Rhythm of Fela!?
Word of Mouth Review
Was Our Word of Mouth Panel Moved by the Rhythm of Fela!?
Tony Winner Bill T. Jones on Art, Life, Death and Broadway's Fela!
Q&A
Tony Winner Bill T. Jones on Art, Life, Death and Broadway's Fela!
Fela! Attracts a Trio of Superstar Producers in Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
News
Fela! Attracts a Trio of Superstar Producers in Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Feel the Beat with the New Broadway-Bound Musical Fela!
Videos
Feel the Beat with the New Broadway-Bound Musical Fela!
In Rehearsal with Bill T. Jones and the Cast of Broadway's Fela!
Photo Feature
In Rehearsal with Bill T. Jones and the Cast of Broadway's Fela!
Tickets Now On Sale for Acclaimed New Musical Fela!
News
Tickets Now On Sale for Acclaimed New Musical Fela!
Feel the Beat: The Pulsing Rhythm of Fela! Readies Itself for Broadway
Photo Op
Feel the Beat: The Pulsing Rhythm of Fela! Readies Itself for Broadway
Fela! Celebrates Opening Night
Opening Night
Fela! Celebrates Opening Night
Hair Hippie Saycon Sengbloh Joins Fela!; Broadway Cast Set
News
Hair Hippie Saycon Sengbloh Joins Fela!; Broadway Cast Set
Fela! Bursts Onto Broadway
First Performance
Fela! Bursts Onto Broadway
Tony Award Winner Lillias White to Star in Fela! on Broadway
News
Tony Award Winner Lillias White to Star in Fela! on Broadway
Fela! to Play Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre in the Fall
News
Fela! to Play Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre in the Fall
Ruined, Fela! Our Town and Inishmaan Top Lucille Lortel Awards
News
Ruined, Fela! Our Town and Inishmaan Top Lucille Lortel Awards
Tony Winner Bill T. Jones to Direct and Choreograph Fela! Off-Broadway
News
Tony Winner Bill T. Jones to Direct and Choreograph Fela! Off-Broadway
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