Fela!
I have a very dear friend by the name of Abena Koomson who has been a frequent collaborator at several of my events over the past three years. Last night, she invited me to watch the dress rehearsal of the new off-broadway musical based on the life of Fela Kuti that opens later this week. She’ll be playing Fela’s mum, Funmilayo Kuti. The show is being direct by the incomparable Bill T Jones (no relation but obviously the Joneses are waaaay cool.) and the score is set by New York’s reigning kings of Afrobeat ….Antibalas.
Holy shite is this a rockin show! I was a little worried about how they would execute the story line but hands down this was one of the best shows I’ve seen. It feels alot less like a theatrical interpretation and alot more like your actually watching Fela rock a live show with the Africa 70.
Antibalas is an amazing collective and Bill did a great job letting the songs tell the story. Getting to see and hear all these great jams performed live with dancers for some 2 1/2 hours was nothing short of amazing. The show stars Sahr Ngaujah as Fela. Though he’s easily got a good 40 pounds on the original artist he sounds uncannily like Ransome and his body movements are an eerie reminder of the man’s stage presence.
Growing up a junglist/dancehall geek I always had a love for rebel music but it wasn’t until a couple years ago when I moved to Brooklyn that I got hit in the head with Afrobeat music and the story of one of the greatest artists in recording history. The documentary on his life: Music is the Weapon is part of the “So You Wanna Move to Brooklyn” survival guide along with Shirley Chisholm 72′ Unbought and Unbossed.
ATTENDANCE IS A MUST!
I’ve asked special permission to post the following dutty discount so that pricing is not an obstacle barring you from attending. Regular tickets are like 75 ducati and you’re saving loads for having checked this blog. Don’t sleep.
Performance Schedule for FELA! A New Musical
August 5 – September 3
Tuesday 7pm | Wednesday-Friday 8pm | Saturday 2pm & 8pm | Sunday 2pm
September 5 – September 21
Tuesday 7pm | Wednesday-Friday 8pm | Saturday 2pm & 8pm | Sunday 2pm & 7pm
USE CODE SOCIAL1 for discount tix: $26.25
Three ways to buy:
online (http://felaoffbroadway.com/buy-tickets.html);
call (212-307-7171);
or visit the box office at 37 Arts (450 W. 37th Street).
visit www.FELAOffBroadway.com for more info.
In this new musical, directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis and arrangements by Aaron Johnson and Antibalas, audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), Fela! explores his controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Featuring many of Fela’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s imaginative staging, this new show is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theater.
August 4th, 2008. everything | 5 comments »
August 4th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Hey Mr Geko!
From Paris it’s not time for us to see the play but for info ANTIBALAS is playing today at 6pm at the jardins du Luxembourg for FREE (lucky us).
You right the Joneses are way cool and if not to keep up with them I’ll keep being down with you. And as I hadn’t the occasion before thanks for the set you gave us, it’s in top rank for my self attributed awards of the free set of the year. From Paris peace to NYC!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:00 am
oh thanks bruv!
hitting NYC this weekend, so this is perfectly timed!
August 4th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Thanks for saying so Lomani. I heard that some of the Antibalas guys were out there. That collective is huge. They have a back up guy for every player and all of them are sickwidit.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:47 am
Nice! I’m looking forward to seeing/experiencing this. I have not been to a broadway/off broadway show in years! since Sarah Jones’ Bridge and Tunnel.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
[...] Nemdil – Seun Kuti pushes Afrobeat, sax to the max – Boston Saved by nmsaidi on Tue 14-10-2008 Fela! Saved by TheComedySupplier on Mon 13-10-2008 Summoning Afrobeat’s Rhythmic, Rebellious Force to [...]