Celebrities Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are bringing Fela! to the stage. The engaging Broadway musical is based on the life and music of the revolutionary Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
From the time the curtain goes up at the The Eugene O’Neill Theater, theatergoers are mesmerized by the hypnotic, pulsating Afro-beats of Fela’s music. The setting replicates Fela’s famous Shrine Club in the 1970s, and is complete with a replica of his signature colorful murals while beautiful African women dance and gyrate onstage to Fela’s powerful music which is played live by the sizzling rhythms of the Brooklyn-based Antibalas band.
Tony Award-winning choreographer Bill T. Jones, who is currently basking in the glow of his Broadway directorial debut, delivers spectacular and dazzling choreography. It’s an experience just to witness the kinetic energy of the African dance ensemble, executing nonstop high energy dance moves for two and a half hours.
–risasi zachariah dais
