Fela! returning to Broadway for four weeks

The world tour production of Fela!, the 2010 Tony-nominated musical about the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, will play a four week engagement at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre from 9 Jul - 4 Aug 2012.

Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), The world tour production of Fela! explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. The show is a hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.

Sahr Ngaujah will once again star as The world tour production of Fela!, for which he was nominated for both an Olivier and Tony Award. He will be joined by Melanie Marshall (Funmilayo) and Paulette Ivory (Sandra Isadore) stars ofthe Olivier-nominated National Theatre of Great Britain production.
(At certain performances, the title role will be played by Adesola Osakalumi and Duain Martyn).

The cast will also feature Rasaan-Elijah 'Talu' Green, Ismael Kouyate, Gelan Lambert, Sherinne Kayra Anderson, Jonathan Andre, Cincy Belliot, Nandi Bhebhe, Catia Mota da Cruz, Nicole Chantal de Weever, Jacqui Dubois, Poundo 'Sweet' Gomis, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Thierry Picaut, Oneika Phillips, Jermaine Rowe, Daniel Soto, Adé Chiké Torbert, Jill Vallery, Iris Wilson and Aimee Graham Wodobode.

The world tour production of Fela! is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones.

The musical premiered at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre, where it played 34 previews and 464 regular perforemances from 19 Oct 2009 - 2 Jan 2011.

The production opened to excellent reviews: This is an event (newyorktheatreguide); Singular, sensational show (NY Times); Earns its exclamation point, joyfully and relentlessly (USA Today); Go to 'Fela!' anticipating a super-stimulating, world-class song-and-dance concert, led by a remarkable performer, and you won't be disappointed. (The Record).

The world tour production of Fela! received three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and Best Sound Design. The show also recieved eight 2010 Tony nominations, including Best musical, Best actor (Sahr Ngaujah) and Best actress (Lillias White).

The musical arrived on Broadway following its acclaimed world premiere in 2008 at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts. That production won the 2009 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical and Best Choreography.