FELA! On Broadway Sweeps The Tony Award Nominations!!

So for those of you who dont know, I am a die hard Theater Kid! This year when you all weren’t looking I have been seeking to see shows and auditioning for some too (shout out to everyone in the Atlanta auditions for Debbie Allen’s new production, good luck). And while my favorite screen actor Denzel Washington revives the first professional theater production I ever did at the age of 6 years old, August Wilson’s FENCES, some of my homies from the ‘A’ and from NYU Tisch Shcool of the Arts were busy getting Tony Award nominations in FELA! a couple blocks away.
Not that I would ever doubt my friends Sahr Ngaujah (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti) Saycon Sengbloh (Sandra) and Nicole De Weever (principle dancer). I knew they were all beasts on stage from waaaay back when we all performed together on numerous occasions. I knew of and loved Fela Kuti and one of his sons Femi’s music, but dang, I kept hearing all the buzz from every which way and had to make a special trip to the big apple to see for myself! MAN IT WAS OFF THE CHAIN!!!

D.Woods And FELA Cast

Its the best feeling to see your friends jamming on stage! Its even better when you see the rest of the world confirming what you already knew about the people close to you. And after meeting the rest of the cast I feel like I have some more friends to be sooooo proud for their 11 Tony Award nominations. Check out this article

“Fela! the Broadway musical about ’70s Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti scored 11 Tony Award nominations to tie for lead with musical revival La Cage aux Folles. Fela! was a major gamble for producers Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Both Carter and the Smiths joined the show as principal producers with Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay. Fela! marks a significant departure from standard Broadway musicals, which tend to be conservative if not downright stodgy. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones with a book by Jim Lewis, Fela! explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of the Afrobeat legend.
Kuti’s controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician is told using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies).The show has been nominated for the following awards.
Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr Ngaujah), Featured Actress (Lillias White), Director of a Musical (Bill T. Jones), Choreography (Bill T. Jones) and Book of a Musical (Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis).’

Here’s a little clip if you need to see for yourself why people are so crunk about this show.
Excerpt “Zombie” Come on Sahr and play that horn!!

I heard that everyone from Denzel, Rober DeNiro, Spike Lee, Ruby Dee, Jill Scott, Samuel L. Jackson and many many more have been raving about this show. It speaks to a crowd not usually known for frequenting Broadway shows and that is why I need everyone reading this to GO SEE IT! Stand up, talk back to Fela when he addresses the crowd, dance in the aisle if you want to. The spirit of the show and the music will almost give you no other choice but to get into it. Maybe you’ll see me there because I am definitely going back!