Only one show can say that it is backed by such
celebrities as Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Only one show can say that masterminds Bill
T. Jones, Jim Lewis, and Stephen Hendel are responsible for its creation. Only one show tells the tale of Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti through his very own music.
Only one show is back for a strictly limited run this summer at the Al
Hirschfeld Theatre. Only one show will
ever be Fela! – the afrobeat musical
that has the audience laughing, cheering, crying, and all around surrounded
with the culture of Lagos, Nigeria.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti might not be a house hold name to the
younger generations, but his passion, music, and life influenced a generation
not to long ago. From the first note, the
audience is transported to the Shrine, a famous concert venue in Lagos, where
Fela is playing his final performance.
Distraught by the recent death of his mother caused by the government,
Fela has decided that it is time to leave Nigeria for good; he can no longer
help a nation that does not recognize that it is in turmoil. It is not long into the concert, however,
that he begins to take a look back at his life – from his studies in London to
his mega hit song Zombie to the raid
of his home. As Fela takes this journey,
the audience is taken with him as he begins to realize that Nigeria is his
home.
Depending on
the night, the star of the show will either be Sahr Ngaujah (Tony and Oliver
Award nominee for Fela!) or Adesola
Osakalumi (Equus); on opening night,
Mr. Osakalumi was front and center as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Osakalumi carried the show with wit, charm,
and an energy that was larger than life.
Not only can he act and sing, Osakalumi does it all while playing the
sax! Fela is a man with strong emotions and over the top ideas. Osakalumi takes control of this piece from
start to finish and beautifully brigs this activist and music legend to
life. Surrounding him is an ensemble
full of talent. This ensemble barley
catches a break as they move from one intense dance number to the next. With soulful voices and crazy dance chops,
the ensemble of Fela! kills it! While Fela is a strong, independent man (who
does happen to marry 15 women at once), there are two stand out women figures
in his life: his mother Funmilayo (portrayed by Melanie Marshall – West End’s Fame) and American activist Sandra
(portrayed by Paulette Ivory – West End’s The
Lion King). Both women have strong,
powerful voices that fill the stage and take control of their songs. While both might lack some energy compared
to Osakalumi, it feels more like a flaw in the script, rather than a flaw in
the actresses. In the end, both women
beautifully join forces with Osakalumi and the high energy ensemble to create
the world of Fela.
While Fela! tends to run a bit long (the likes
of Les Miserables – it is great, but
could be shorter), it is a visual feast for the senses. Director and choreographer Bill T. Jones
assembled the best of the best to create the world of Lagos, Nigeria. Marina Draghici (Shakespeare in the Park’s Mother Courage) takes the reins as
scenic and costume designer. Using
bright, vibrant colors and unique, interesting textures, Draghici fuses the
worlds of design together creating a world that is energetic and full of life. Adding to the design is the work of lighting
designer Robert Wierzel (David Copperfield’s Dreams and Nightmares) who uses a fuse of concert and theatrical
lighting to blend the world of the Shrine and Nigeria. The visual feast is completed with the
stunning projection design work of Peter Nigrini (9 to 5: The Musical).
Nigrini’s work transports the audience from Nigeria to London and back
again; it is absolutely stunning work!
The scene staler of the show is the movement from Bill T. Jones (choreographer
for Spring Awakening). The intense dance routines are rich in
culture and high in energy; they electrify the entire audience – who is even
called to get off their feet and learn a few moves themselves! While the book has a few faults – feeling scattered
at times and dropping a few characters, the performers more than cover it up,
making this an astonishing piece of theatre!
The national
tour of Fela! has made a pit stop in
the Big Apple once more! Filled with fun
afrobeat music, humor, drama, wonderful design, and awe inspiring performances,
this innovative piece of theatre is sure to entertain! As an audience member
yelled out on opening night, “Welcome back Fela! Welcome back!” Now, everyone
say, “Yeh! Yeh!”
