Fela! to Play Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theater

The new musical Fela! will play Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theater beginning October 19, with an opening set for November 23.

It will once again be directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, and star Sahr Ngaujah as Nigerian composer and performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The show — which has a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and additional lyrics by Lewis — is about Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. It features his rousing music performed live onstage by the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson.

The creative team will also include Marina Draghici (scenic and costume design), Rob Wierzel (lighting design), Rob Kaplowitz (sound design), and Peter Negrini (projection design). Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean have provided the musical arrangements.

The musical played Off-Broadway at 37 Arts, and won 2009 Lucille Lortel Awards for outstanding musical, choreographer, and costume design. It also received Drama Desk nominations for outstanding musical, choreographer, orchestrations, and Ngaujah, who also won an an Obie and was nominated for a Lortel award for his performance.

For more information, visit www.FelaOnBroadway.com.