Winfrey has become our national confessor, our friendly, neighborhood billionaire philanthropist, the wizard who sprinkles magical dust over every author, entrepreneur, do-gooder and politician within her orbit. What Winfrey doesn't do is as powerful a statement as what she does. How dare she not interview Sarah Palin! The culture, it seems, has declared ownership of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Winfrey begs to differ - but only to a point. "I feel it's very much my show in that every decision you see on the show has come from that desk," she says, gesturing toward the pale green, bean-shaped table in her office. "The part that belongs to the culture is every single person who has watched . . . who has found or discovered a piece of light from it. Flecks of light, that's what I call it."
Following two sneak peek performances Sept. 8-9, Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle officially steps into the role of Fela's mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, in Broadway's Fela! Sept. 14.LaBelle succeeds Tony winner Lillias White, who played her final performance Sept. 12. The acclaimed singer will stay with the production through its closing on Jan. 2, 2011.
"After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones, and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage," LaBelle said in a previous statement. "Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman, and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage."
LaBelle — who played Matron Mama Morton for a limited run in a Los Angeles stint of Chicago — is known for her Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues songs, which include "On My Own" and "New Attitude." The one-time lead member of the group Labelle also sang on the group's biggest hit "Lady Marmalade." The singer has appeared on Broadway in three self-titled concerts and appeared in the 1982 revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.
Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, plays the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.After an acclaimed run Off-Broadway in 2008, Fela! began previews on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. Sahr Ngaujah, who headlined the Off-Broadway premiere, alternates in the role of the late African musical figure, with Kevin Mambo (Ruined).
Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that features a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and utilizes Anikulapo-Kuti's own music. Lewis, a Tony nominee for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, also penned additional lyrics. The musical was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.The production incorporates the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, who perform Kuti's music live onstage.
In Fela!, according to production notes, "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), [the musical] explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician."
The design team includes scenic and costume designer Marina Draghici, lighting designer Rob Wierzel, sound designer Rob Kaplowitz and projection designer Peter Nigrini. Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean will provide musical arrangements.The musical, which earned the 2008 Lucille Lortel honor for Best Musical, played an acclaimed engagement at the now-closed 37 Arts in 2008. 37 Arts was also the birthplace of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights.
Fela! is produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Knitting Factory Entertainment and Susan Dietz. In association with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.Fela! won three 2010 Tony Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design and Best Choreography. Visit FelaonBroadway.com.
Though some Tony Voters chose commerce over Art, Fela is what theater is: Daring, Celebratory, Inventive, and Universal. In my eyes Fela is BEST MUSICAL of ALL Times!
If you have not seen Fela on Broadway...PLEASE HURRY TO SEE IT.
Broadway and some Tony voters let me down. Instead of celebrating and honoring a show that is fresh, inventive, daring, moving and celebratory of life and the universal connection we all share - that connection that potentially promotes solidarity and give Hope - some voters thought different. Some voters chose to honor the more oppressively driven shows that are not new in concept, dated topics, and limits our scope on life. While I am congratulatory of the winning nominees, it saddens me to see that a show as poignant as Fela, was not given the recognition from the academy it deserves. I've always found the theater community to be bold/daring and a place for liberation; however with the the results, my point of reference is shifting. There is a lot more we need to learn about ourselves and what message and beliefs we truly stand for. Fela lives in my life and many others. Solidarity, liberation, and peace for ALL. This is what we should celebrate! "Yeah, Yeah!"
Arts.Advocacy+Wellness and Cornelius Jones Jr. honor the cast, crew, and creative team of FELA! for making Landmark History and claiming 11 TONY Nominations for the 2009-2010 TONY Award Season.
The Award Ceremony will Broadcast LIVE from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network Sunday, June 13, 2010.
Here is a highlight of the Nominations:
Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical: Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones
Best Actor: Sahr Ngaujah
Best Featured Actress: Lillias White
Best Direction: Bill T. Jones
Best Choreography: Bill T. Jones
Best Orchestrations: Aaron Johnson
Best Scenic Design: Marina Draghici
Best Costume Design: Marina Draghici
Best Lighting Design: Robert Wierzel
Best Sound Design: Robert Kaplowitz
FELA!, new Broadway musical based on the life of Fela Anikulpo Kuti. An internationally known and traveled Nigerian born composer/musician, celebrated as the pioneer of Afrobeat music. He was an active human rights and political activist. His nonconformist voice landed him amongst political battles and debates that would, at times, land him in jail. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity. Fela Kuti died on August 2, 1997 from AIDS related complications.
