Sahr Ngaujah News

The only negative thing I'll say about Fela!, the Off-Broadway docu-musical inspired by the life of Nigerian political activist and musical revolutionary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is that it never engaged this martini-swilling Manhattanite who entered the theatre unschooled in the culture and politics of the protagonist's homeland. The professionalism, exuberance and entertainment value of the piece is undeniable and I imagine many of my dear readers would have a terrific time visiting 37 Arts these days. But unless you're going in with a full knowledge of and an emotional attachment to its controversial subject, you may find, save for a well done moment late in the game, there is little dramatic pull to the proceedings to sustain interest for its two and a half hours. An audience full of fans of this internationally known artist who died in 1997 might understandably be thrilled by Fela! but while its potent message of the power of music to combat oppression is certainly universal, it took a review of the text's stage directions and a bit of Googling for this neophyte to get a fuller picture of the life and culture on display.

Tony Award nominee Martin Vidnovic (Brigadoon), Stephen DeRosa (Into the Woods, Hairspray), Tony Award nominee Cheryl Freeman (The Who's Tommy), Darius de Haas (Rent), Kendrick Jones (Stairway to Paradise) and special guest star Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow, Golda's Balcony) will join the cast of Broadway Musicals of 1970 on Monday, June 15th at 8PM.

Broadway Musicals of 1970 will be presented by The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) on Monday, June 15th at 8PM. Concluding its ninth season with this concert, the critically acclaimed Broadway By The Year® series is known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. The show is directed and choreographed by Fred Astaire Award nominee Jeffry Denman, who also performs in the show.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Sahr Ngaujah will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, will again perform Kuti?s rousing music live onstage. Winner of this year?s Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Steve Hendel.

The New York Times is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway to the Eugene O'Neill theatre with previews to begin October 19th and an opening night for September 23rd.

Tony Award nominee Martin Vidnovic (Brigadoon), Stephen DeRosa (Into the Woods, Hairspray), Tony Award nominee Cheryl Freeman (The Who's Tommy), Darius de Haas (Rent), Kendrick Jones (Stairway to Paradise) and special guest star Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh (Irena's Vow, Golda's Balcony) will join the cast of Broadway Musicals of 1970 on Monday, June 15th at 8PM.

Broadway Musicals of 1970 will be presented by The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) on Monday, June 15th at 8PM. Concluding its ninth season with this concert, the critically acclaimed Broadway By The Year® series is known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing. The series is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall. The show is directed and choreographed by Fred Astaire Award nominee Jeffry Denman, who also performs in the show.

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that Fela!, Bill T. Jones' electric and emotional musical about Nigerian political activist and Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, is coming to Broadway in October to the Eugene O'Neill.

The Village Voice, the nation's largest alternative weekly newspaper 54th Annual OBIE awards took place on Monday, May 18,2009 at the newly landmarked Webster Hall in the East Village.

Awards were handed out for 14 categories and 2 special awards are announced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year?s ceremony benefits The Actors Fund. A list of nominees follows below.

Drama Desk nominees received their official nomination certificates at a cocktail reception on May 1st at IL Bastardo Restaurant and BroadwayWorld.com was there!

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Faith Prince and Jim Dale, multi-award winning stage stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards ceremony, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

The Drama League (Jano Herbosch, President; Gabriel Shanks, Executive Director) proudly announces nominations for the 2008-09 Drama League Awards, to be awarded at The 75th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 15, 2009 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The event will be co-hosted by Jeremy Irons (Impressionism) and Cynthia Nixon (Distracted).

Nominations in 14 categories and 2 special awards are nnounced by the Off-Broadway League for the Lucille Lortel Awards recognizing Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. This year's ceremony will benefit The Actors Fund.

The world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will play the final performance of its extended run Sunday, October 5th at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay announced today that, due to overwhelming popular demand, the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has extended its run through Saturday, October 4 at 37 Arts (450 West 37th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay present the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening) with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, Fela! will feature Kuti's rousing music performed live onstage by Antibalas and other members of the New York Afrobeat community.