Tonight, noted choreographer Bill T. Jones’ latest project, “Fela!” will premiere on Broadway. The musical is based upon the life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a Nigerian who created the musical genre ‘Afrobeat’, and was also an activist during his heyday in the 1970s. Never heard of him? Neither had I until I first heard about the initial production. I missed the show during its successful Off-Broadway run last year but I got to see a preview a few weeks ago. And it was love from the first scene because Jones and his partners— JIm Lewis and Stephen Hendel— throw Broadway convention out of the nearest window to let in a fresh breeze of energy. In other words, don’t expect your run of mill high brow Broadway experience (you know where you may offer a polite but enthusiastic clap for the big number) or to stay quietly seated through the performance. But be warned if you operate on c.p. time you might run smack dab into one the cast who frequently work the aisles—plus you’ll have no idea what’s going on.
So this musical (for lack of a better word) uses Kuti’s notorious nightclub The Shrine as a backdrop. There’s a live band onstage at all times and an absolutely amazing cast of dancers who WORK IT for 2 1/2 hours. But the namesake of this work is at the center of this story the whole time singing, dancing, telling stories and displaying a range of emotions in some colorful pastel suits. The role is so much work that two actors split the role during the eight performances each week with the brother I saw, Sahr Ngaujah, handling five of them.
But with any good love story, there is some darkness lurking. The story of Fela’s mother, Funmilayo, and what made her appear to us only as a ghost weighs heavy on the character. The always fantastic Lilas White, shows restraint in this role (since she usually steals the show every time she’s on stage). We learn the details of Funmilayo’s fate in the second act as well as who all the females dancing on the stage represent—Kuti has 27 wives (but he refers to them as his ‘queens’.) Yet I have to admit that the character of Sandra is still a bit of a mystery to me. Is she one of the 27 wives? Maybe I just need to see it again! While the story runs the gamut from partying to protesting and sorrow “Fela!” is still an energizing experience. You can’t help leaving the theater with a smile on your face—even though some of the story is indeed heavy.
Because this isn’t your typical revue or Disneyesque production some wonder whether “Fela!” can find an audience. I think word of mouth will give this show legs. For black folks this genre breaks new ground—definitely not ‘chitlin circuit’ but it’s also not August Wilson either. Hendel told The New York Times:
“We have an uphill battle,” said Stephen Hendel, the producer who started the project, “because we don’t have a recognized star, and Fela is an international artist and musician who’s outside the mainstream of American culture.”
But the truth is we don’t make up the lion’s share of the ticket buying audience—older white women (and of course tourists) do. We can only hope they’ll be intrigued and willing to try something different based on positive word of mouth.
The good news is that some black celebs who’ve seen this production have been so moved that they’ve invested and signed on as producers. Such marquee names as Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jay-Z have ponied up. They’re all supposed to be in the house tonight. While it would be nice to see them I had the privilege of sitting a couple of rows ahead of Mr. Jones during my preview. And I got to see things that others won’t after the opening including Jones taking to the stage and dancing himself after the curtain call. In a word: Amazing.
So I urge you to experience “Fela!” if you live close enough to get to Broadway, you won’t be disappointed.
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