Fela hits Lagos broadway

The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is to be performed in his home town of Lagos, Nigeria making it the first Broadway show to be performed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fela the landmark Broadway musical, which won three Tony Awards (Broadway’s highest honor) including Best Choreography (Bill T.Jones), is coming to Lagos from April 20th to 25th. It will be performed at the prestigious Eko Hotel’s New Expo Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

This critically lauded musical will star its original Broadway cast with Sahr Ngaujah showing off his Tony-nominated role of Fela Kuti with music provided by the internationally renowned Antibalas as well as other members of the New York City Afro-beat community. Concurrently with the Broadway production, Fela opened and triumphed at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.

That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones). This Nigerian engagement will be the first since the closing of the Broadway and London productions and the NT Live performance which was broadcast to in 370 cinemas worldwide.

The aim of Fela, in Lagos is to unite and connect Africans in spirit and unity, to serve as a catalyst for cultural revival in Nigeria, and to celebrate Fela Kuti, for the contribution he has made to Nigeria and the world. Fela depicts the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afro beat rhythms ignited the spirit of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation.

It is a tale of courage, passion and love featuring Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner, Bill T. Jones. Fela in Lagos is being produced by a Nigerian production company, Broken Shackles in conjunction with Lagos State Government.