AT THE
CENTER THEATRE GROUP/AHMANSON THEATRE
Michelle
Williams Is Featured in Limited Engagement Through May 5
“Fela!,” the 2010 Tony Award® nominee for Best Musical
which celebrated a successful run at the Ahmanson in 2011, returns to the
Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, opening Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre
Group/Ahmanson Theatre.
Produced by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will and
Jada Pinkett Smith, and Stephen and Ruth Hendel, “Fela!” is filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti, and will be presented for 13 performances only through May 5,
2013.
The cast, which includes Michelle Williams of Destiny’s
Child playing the role of Sandra, also features Adesola Osakalumi and Duain
Richmond alternating in the title role of Fela, Melanie Marshall as Funmilayo,
Rasaan-Elijah “Talu” Green as Djembe-“Mustafa,” Ismael Kouyaté as Ismael and
Gelan Lambert as J.K. Braimah (Tap Dancer) and Egungun.
The ensemble includes Lauren De Veaux, Shawn
Alynda Fisher, Jason Herbert, Shakira Marshall, India McGee, Oneika Phillips,
Kafi Pierre, Malaiyka Reid, Daniel Soto, Tricia M. Taitt, Adé Chiké Torbert,
Uyoata Udi and Jill Marie Vallery.
“Fela!,”
which is based on the life of the charismatic Kuti and is highlighted by many
of Kuti’s most captivating songs, has a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones,
music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional lyrics by Jim Lewis,
additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean, and was conceived by Bill
T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. “Fela!” features the visionary
direction and choreography of two-time Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones (“Fela!”
and “Spring Awakening”), who was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in
December 2010.
A
triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, “Fela!” is the true story of
Kuti, who created a new type of music, Afrobeat, and mixed these pounding
eclectic rhythms (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies) with
incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military
dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa. His songs of rebellion were an inspiration to millions.
“Fela!”
received a total of 11 Tony Award nominations in 2010.
The music and dancing of “Fela!” prompted Ben Brantley of
The New York Times to
say,
“There should be dancing in the streets” when it opened on Broadway in 2009, and Peter Marks of The
Washington Post said it is an “. . . electroshock for the soul.” Charles
McNulty of the Los Angeles Times said last December of the Ahmanson
presentation, “. . .be prepared to get out
of your seat and shake your derriere.”
Tickets
for “Fela!” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at
www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or in person at the CTG box office located at the
Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.
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