Patti LaBelle to First Appear in Broadway’s Fela! on September 8 and 9

Multiple Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle will first appear in the Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical Fela! as Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti on September 8 and 9, before beginning her regular run in the show, September 14- January 2. She replaces Tony Award winner Lillias White in the role.

Fela! is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis and Jones. The musical is about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist, and revolutionary musician.

The show also stars Sahr Nguajah and Kevin Mambo, who alternate in the title role, and features Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson.

LaBelle has previously appeared on Broadway in self-titled concerts in 1984, 1986, and 1998. In addition, she starred in a 1982 musical revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, and performed the role of Matron Mama Morton in an LA engagement of the musical Chicago.

In addition, she fronted the singing groups Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, and Labelle, as well as having a successful career as a solo recording artist. Among her most well known hits are “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” “On My Own” (duet with Michael McDonald), and “A New Day.”

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