FELA! To Open at The Ahmanson Theater December 13, -

In an effort to help its partners at CTG, the producers of “Fela!,” Shawn “Jay- Z” Carter, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Stephen and Ruth Hendel, agreed to adjust the tour for “Fela!” Though it meant re-booking some upcoming dates, “Fela!” will now travel directly to Los Angeles from San Francisco’s Curran Theatre after its closing December 11.

FELA! will now be presented at the Ahmanson December 13 – January 22. This show will surely warm up Los Angeles for the holidays and into the new year!

“Fela!,” which is based on the life of the charismatic Fela Anikulapo Kuti and is highlighted by many of Kuti’s most captivating songs, has a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones, music and lyrics by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, additional lyrics by Jim Lewis, additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean, and was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.

“Fela!” features the visionary direction and choreography of two-time Tony Award-winner Jones (“Fela!” and “Spring Awakening”), who was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2010. A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, “Fela!” is the true story of Kuti, who created a new type of music, Afrobeat, and mixed these pounding eclectic rhythms (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies) with incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa. His songs of rebellion were an inspiration to millions. The kinetic energy pulsing from the music and dancing of “Fela!” prompted Ben Brantley of The New York Times to say “There should be dancing in the streets” when it opened on Broadway in 2009.

“Fela!” received a total of 11 Tony Award nominations in 2010.
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