Marina Draghici News

The only negative thing I'll say about Fela!, the Off-Broadway docu-musical inspired by the life of Nigerian political activist and musical revolutionary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is that it never engaged this martini-swilling Manhattanite who entered the theatre unschooled in the culture and politics of the protagonist's homeland. The professionalism, exuberance and entertainment value of the piece is undeniable and I imagine many of my dear readers would have a terrific time visiting 37 Arts these days. But unless you're going in with a full knowledge of and an emotional attachment to its controversial subject, you may find, save for a well done moment late in the game, there is little dramatic pull to the proceedings to sustain interest for its two and a half hours. An audience full of fans of this internationally known artist who died in 1997 might understandably be thrilled by Fela! but while its potent message of the power of music to combat oppression is certainly universal, it took a review of the text's stage directions and a bit of Googling for this neophyte to get a fuller picture of the life and culture on display.

Tony® Award-winner Lillias White will join the cast of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing the role of the iconic artist's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

The producers of Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, have announced the policy for general rush tickets to this new musical which will begin performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19.

The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has nominated 60 theater artists for recognition of their outstanding work in 46 productions presented during the 2008-2009 New York theater season. The awards will be presented at a luncheon to be held late this fall.

Tony winning director and choreographer Bill T. Jones welcomed the press on Wednesday, September 23 to Theater A at 37 Arts as he introduced his Fela! cast, including stars Sahr Ngaujah, Kevin Mambo, Tony winner Lillias White, and the always stunning Saycon Sengbloh.

As previously announced, Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will arrive on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) where performances will commence on Monday, October 19 with an official opening set for Monday, November 23.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway?s 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O?Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23.

Tony® Award-winner Lillias White will join the cast of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing the role of the iconic artist's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, 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 will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, 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 Steve Hendel.

The New York Times is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway to the Eugene O'Neill theatre with previews to begin October 19th and an opening night for September 23rd.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway in October to the Eugene O'Neill.

Awards were handed out for 14 categories and 2 special awards are announced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year?s ceremony benefits The Actors Fund. A list of nominees follows below.

Nominations in 14 categories and 2 special awards are nnounced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund.

The world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will play the final performance of its extended run Sunday, October 5th at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay announced today that, due to overwhelming popular demand, the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has extended its run through Saturday, October 4 at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening) with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, Fela! will feature Kuti's rousing music performed live onstage by Antibalas and other members of the New York Afrobeat community.

The Public Theater has announced that Kevin Kline will replace Christpoher Walken as 'Cook' in the upcoming Shakespeare in the Park's production of Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht