Bill T. Jones to Direct and Choreograph Fela!

Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones will direct and choreograph Fela!, a look into the world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, to play July 29-September 21 at 37 Arts.

The show, which has a book by Jones and Jim Lewis, will feature Kuti’s rousing music performed live onstage by Antibalas and other members of the New York Afrobeat community. The show will feature musical direction by Aaron Johnson.

The cast will include Sahr Ngaujah in the title role and Abena Koomson as his mother, along with Anne Andre, Corey Baker, Calvin C. Booker, Lauren Deveaux, Nicole Chantal DeWeever, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Aimee Graham, Talu Green, Karma Mayet Johnson, Ismael Kouyate, Maia McKinney, Marcus Phillips, Daniel Soto, Sparlha Swa, Jill M. Vallery, and Iris Wilson.

Scenic and costume design will be by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Rob Wierzel, sound design by Rob Kaplowitz, and projection design will be by Peter Negrini. One of the world’s leading choreographers, Jones won the 2007 Tony Award for his work on Spring Awakening.