MusicalOriginalBroadway
Opening Date
Nov 23, 2009
Closing Date
Jan 02, 2011
1st Preview
Oct 19, 2009
1st Preview
Oct 19, 2009
Previews
34
Performances
463
MusicalOriginalBroadway

ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Theatres
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
(Nov 23, 2009 - Jan 02, 2011)
Setting
Fela's Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria. Several months after the death of Funmilayo, Fela's mother.
Theatre Owned / Operated by Jujamcyn Theaters (Jordan Roth: President; Paul Libin: Producing Director; Jack Viertel: Creative Director)
Produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth and Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Ken Greiner & Chip Meyrelles, Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz / Cathy Glaser, Daryl Roth / True Love Productions, Susan Dietz / Mort Swinsky and Knitting Factory Entertainment; Associate Producer: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
Book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones; Music by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; Lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; Based on the life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel; Additional music by Aaron Johnson, Jordan McLean, E.T. Mensah, John Coltrane, Chano Pozo and James Brown; Additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, James Brown and Bill T. Jones; Musical Director: Aaron Johnson; Music orchestrated by Aaron Johnson; Music arranged by Aaron Johnson
Directed by Bill T. Jones; Choreographed by Bill T. Jones; Associate Director: Niegel Smith; Associate Choreographer: Maija Garcia
Scenic Design by Marina Draghici; Costume Design by Marina Draghici; Lighting Design by Robert Wierzel; Sound Design by Robert Kaplowitz; Projection Design by Peter Nigrini; Hair and Wig Design by Cookie Jordan; Make-Up Design by Cookie Jordan; Associate Scenic Design: Timothy R. Mackabee, Wilson Chin and Katheryn Monthei; Associate Costume Design: Amy Clark; Associate Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller; Associate Sound Design: Jessica Paz; Associate Projection Design: C. Andrew Bauer and Dan Scully; Assistant Costume Design: Mike Floyd; Assistant Lighting Design: G. Benjamin Swope; Assistant Sound Design: John Emmett O'Brien
General Manager: Roy Gabay; Company Manager: Daniel Kuney and Chris Aniello
Technical Supervisor: Hudson Theatrical Associates; Associate Tech. Suprvr: Jay Janicki and John Tiggeloven; Production Stage Manager: Jon Goldman; Stage Manager: Linda Marvel; Assistant Stage Mgr: Hilary Austin
Musical Supervisor: Aaron Johnson; Musical Coordinator: Michael Keller; Conducted by Aaron Johnson; Assistant Conductor: Greg Gonzalez; Trombone/Keyboard: Aaron Johnson; Drums/Percussion: Greg Gonzalez; Trumpet: Jordan McLean; Bass/Keyboards/Percussion: Jeremy Wilms; Guitar/Percussion: Oren Bloedow and Ricardo Quinones; Percussion: Yoshihiro Takemasa and Dylan Fusillo; Baritone Saxophone/Percussion: Alex Harding; Tenor Saxophone/Percussion/Featured Saxophone Soloist: Stuart Bogie; Music Contractor: Michael Keller
Casting: Mungioli Theatricals; General Press Representative: Richard Kornberg & Associates; Advertising & New Media Services: Art Meets Commerce, Jim Glaub and Crystal Chase; Marketing: HHC Marketing and Walk Tall Girl Productions; Dance Captain: Jill M. Vallery and Daniel Soto; Photographer: Monique Carboni
Kevin Mambo
Broadway Debut
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Alternate
Sahr Ngaujah
Broadway Debut
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Oct 19, 2009 - Oct 10, 2010
Saycon Sengbloh
Sandra
Lillias White
Funmilayo
Oct 19, 2009 - Sep 12, 2010
Anne V. Andre
Ensemble
Corey Baker
Ensemble
Hettie Vyrine Barnhill
Ensemble
Lauren De Veaux
Ensemble
Nicole Chantal de Weever
Ensemble
Rujeko Dumbutshena
Ensemble
Rasaan Elijah "Talu" Green
Ensemble
Shaneeka Harrell
Ensemble
Ismael Kouyaté
African Chanter
 
Geraldo Piño
 
Braiman
 
Orisha
 
Ensemble
Gelan Lambert
J.K. Braiman
 
Tap Dancer
 
Egungun
 
Ensemble
Shakira Marshall
Ensemble
Afi McClendon
Ensemble
Maia McKinney
Ensemble
Adesola Osakalumi
Ensemble
Jeffrey Page
Ensemble
Daniel Soto
Ensemble
Jill M. Vallery
Ensemble
Iris Wilson
Ensemble
Aimee Graham Wodobode
Ensemble
Swings: Catherine Foster , Abena Koomson , Farai Malianga and J.L. Williams
Understudies: Elasea Douglas (Sandra), Abena Koomson (Funmilayo) and Adesola Osakalumi (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti)

Eugene O'Neill Theatre (Nov 23, 2009 - Jan 02, 2011)

Stage Manager: Hilary Austin (Jul 05, 2010 - ?); Production Stage Manager: Linda Marvel (circa. Oct 2010 - ?); Assistant Stage Mgr: Lori M. Doyle (Aug 04, 2010 - Nov 21, 2010), Laurie Goldfeder (Nov 23, 2010 - ?) and Neil Krasnow (Apr 06, 2010 - Nov 06, 2010); Production Supervisor: Linda Marvel (Jul 05, 2010 - ?)

Cast

Patti LaBelle
Funmilayo
Sep 14, 2010 - Jan 02, 2011
Swing: Justin Prescott
music by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
(Unless otherwise noted)
Act 1
Sung By
Everything Scatter
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Iba Orisa
Ismael, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Medzi Medzi
(music by E.T. Mensah)
Company and Band
Mr. Syms
(music by John Coltrane)
Company and Band
Manteca
(music by Chano Pozo)
Company and Band
I Got the Feeling
(music by James Brown; lyrics by James Brown)
Ismael and Company
Originality/Yellow Fever
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Trouble Sleep
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Funmilayo and Company
Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Funmilayo and Company
Lover
(lyrics by Jim Lewis)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Sandra
Upside Down
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Sandra and Company
Expensive Shit
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Pipeline
(lyrics by Jim Lewis)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Kere Kay
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Act 2
Sung By
Water No Get Enemy
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Sandra and Company
Egbe Mio
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Queens and Funmilayo
Shuffering and Shmiling
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Queens
Zombie
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Trouble Sleep (Reprise)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Funmilayo and Queens
Na Poi
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Queens
Sorrow Tears and Blood
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Iba Orisa/Shakara
Company and Band
Rain
(music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean; lyrics by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis)
Funmilayo and Company
Coffin for Head of State
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company
Kere Kay (Reprise)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Company

Tony Award®

 

Best Musical

2010 Nominee
Produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter , Will & Jada Pinkett Smith , Ruth and Stephen Hendel , Roy Gabay , Sony Pictures Entertainment , Edward Tyler Nahem , Slava Smolokowski , Ken Greiner & Chip Meyrelles , Douglas G. Smith , Steve Semlitz / Cathy Glaser , Daryl Roth / True Love Productions , Susan Dietz / Mort Swinsky and Knitting Factory Entertainment
 

Best Book of a Musical

2010 Nominee
Book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones
 

Best Actor in a Musical

2010 Nominee
Sahr Ngaujah
 

Best Featured Actress in a Musical

2010 Nominee
Lillias White

Best Choreography

2010 Winner
Choreographed by Bill T. Jones
 

Best Direction of a Musical

2010 Nominee
Directed by Bill T. Jones
 

Best Orchestrations

2010 Nominee
Music orchestrated by Aaron Johnson
 

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

2010 Nominee
Scenic Design by Marina Draghici

Best Costume Design of a Musical

2010 Winner
Costume Design by Marina Draghici
 

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

2010 Nominee
Lighting Design by Robert Wierzel

Best Sound Design of a Musical

2010 Winner
Sound Design by Robert Kaplowitz

Theatre World

Award

2010 Recipient
Sahr Ngaujah
Season:
View Graph
Week Ending Gross % Gross Pot. Attendance % Capacity # Previews # Perf.
Statistics supplied are courtesy of The Broadway League.
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