Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith Sign On as Producers of Fela!
(© Monique Carboni)
Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have signed on as producers of the new Broadway musical Fela! and will attend the show’s opening night at the Eugene O’Neill Theater on November 23, according to a report in The New York Times. This is the first time that Jay-Z and the Smiths have joined a producing team of a Broadway show.
The musical — which has a book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis and additional lyrics by Lewis — is about Fela Anikulapo-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 production also features musical arrangements and additional music by Johnson and Jordan McLean. Jones directs and choreographs.
The company features Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo (who alternate the title role), Lillias White (Funmilayo), Saycon Sengbloh (Sandra) along with Corey Baker, Hettie Barnhill, Nicole Chantal DeWeever, Lauren Deveaux, Elasea Douglas, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Catherine Foster, Talu Green, Shaneeka Harrell, Abena Koomson, Ismael Kouyate, Gelan Lambert, Farai M. Malianga, Shakira Marshall, Afi McClendon, Adesola Osakalumi, Jeffrey Page, Daniel Soto, Jill M. Vallery, J.L. Williams, Iris Wilson, Aimee Graham Wodobode.
The creative team includes Marina Draghici (scenic and costume design), Rob Wierzel (lighting design), Rob Kaplowitz (sound design), Peter Nigrini (projection design).
For further information, visit www.FelaOnBroadway.com.
