Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening

By: Dec. 15, 2011
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"Fela!," the 2010 Best Musical Tony Award®-nominated musical, opened last night, December 14th, at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. The musical, filled with the exuberant music of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will continue through January 22, 2012. Check out photos from opening night below!

"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 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.

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Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Melanie Marshall and Sahr Ngaujah with Sandra Iszadore and Paulette Ivory

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Sandra Iszadore, Paulette Ivory 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Sahr Ngaujah and Sandra Iszadore

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Sahr NgaujahKim Raver 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Gelan Lambert, actress Kim Raver and cast members Aimee Graham Wodobode and Oneika Phillips 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Melanie Marshall and Sahr Ngaujah

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Jermaine Rowe and Sherinne Kayra Anderson pose with producer Stephen Hendel and Nandi Bhebhe and Rasaan-Elijah "Talu" Green 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Sahr Ngaujah, Edward L. Rada

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Sahr Ngaujah and CTG Managing Director Edward L. Rada 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Kim Raver, Ismael Kouyate and producer Edward Tyloer Nahem

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Oneika Phillips, Kim Raver 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Stephen Hendel, CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, Sandra Iszadore and producer Edward Tyloer Nahem 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Melanie Marshall and produer Stephen Hendel 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Stephen Hendel and cast member Oneika Phillips 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Ismael Kouyate, band member Mike McGinnis, cast member Oneika Phillips and band member Bryan Vargas 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening
Gelan Lambert, Jill Marie Vallery and Poundo Gomis 

Photo Flash: Sahr Ngaujah, et al. Celebrate FELA!'s LA Opening

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