Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams to Star in Fela! National Tour

Say her name: Michelle Williams, the Grammy Award-winning recording artist and former member of Destiny’s Child, is set to join the national tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, beginning January 29 at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC.

Fela! tells the life story of the controversial artist, political activist, and revolutionary musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis, and Stephen Hendel, with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, the production also features direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening).

Best known as a member of the pop sensation Destiny’s Child (the girl group which launched some woman named Beyoncé Knowles into mega-stardom), Michelle Williams has also released two solo gospel recordings and the solo pop album Unexpected. In 2003, Williams made her Broadway debut in Aida, and in 2007, she joined the cast of The Color Purple‘s national tour, with several more stage productions following, including Chicago in London’s West End.

“This musical journey is one that I’ve wanted to be a part of since first seeing it on stage in 2008,” said Williams. “The sounds, the passion, and the politics of Fela Kuti have long intrigued me and speak to my heart. I am simply honored.”