Fela!
Musical - Original
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
- First Preview: October 19, 2009
- Opening Date: November 23, 2009
- Closing Date: January 2, 2011
- Previews: 34
- Performances: 463
Book: Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis
Lyrics: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Music: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Synopsis
Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel, Fela! explores the life of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Nigerian artist, activist, composer and performer.
Opening Night Cast
 |
Sahr Ngaujah | Fela Anikulapo-Kuti |
 |
Kevin Mambo | Fela Anikulapo-Kuti |
 |
Lillias White | Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti |
 |
Saycon Sengbloh | Sandra Isadore |
Opening Night Production Credits
 |
Jim Lewis | Book |
 |
Bill T. Jones | Book |
 |
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti | Music |
|
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti | Lyrics |
|
Jim Lewis | Additional Lyrics |
 |
Aaron Johnson | Additional Music |
Awards
Astaire Awards
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Outstanding Choreographer of a Broadway Show | Bill T. Jones | Winner |
| 2010 | Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show | Nicole Chantal de Weever
Hettie Barnhill Lauren De Veaux Elasea Douglas Rujeko Dumbutshena Catherine Foster Shaneeka Harrell Chanon Judson Shakira Marshall Afi McClendon Jill Marie Vallery Iris Wilson Aimee Graham Wodobode Oneika Phillips |
Winner |
Drama Desk Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Sahr Ngaujah | Nominee |
| 2009 | Outstanding Choreography | Bill T. Jones | Nominee |
| 2009 | Outstanding Musical | Nominee | |
| 2009 | Outstanding Orchestrations | Aaron Johnson
Antibalas |
Nominee |
Drama League
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Distinguished Production of a Musical | Nominee |
Outer Critics Circle
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Outstanding Choreographer | Bill T. Jones | Winner |
| 2010 | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Nominee |
Theatre World
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Theatre World Award | Sahr Ngaujah | Winner |
Tony Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Actor in a Musical | Sahr Ngaujah | Nominee |
| 2010 | Book of a Musical | Jim Lewis
Bill T. Jones |
Nominee |
| 2010 | Choreography | Bill T. Jones | Winner |
| 2010 | Costume Design of a Musical | Marina Draghici | Winner |
| 2010 | Direction of a Musical | Bill T. Jones | Nominee |
| 2010 | Featured Actress in a Musical | Lillias White | Nominee |
| 2010 | Lighting Design of a Musical | Robert Wierzel | Nominee |
| 2010 | Musical | Nominee | |
| 2010 | Orchestrations | Aaron Johnson | Nominee |
| 2010 | Scenic Design of a Musical | Marina Draghici | Nominee |
| 2010 | Sound Design of a Musical | Robert Kaplowitz | Winner |
Grosses
| Week Ending | Week # | This Week Gross Potential Gross | Diff $ | Avg Ticket Top Ticket | Seats Sold Seats in Theatre | Perfs (Prev) | % Cap This Week | Diff % Cap |
| Jan. 2, 2011 | 32 | $997,714 $982,981 |
$382,879 | $105.10 $225.00 |
9493 1030 |
9 0 |
102.41% | 9.26% |
| Dec. 26, 2010 | 31 | $614,835 $764,541 |
$1,118 | $91.55 $225.00 |
6716 1030 |
7 0 |
93.15% | -0.45% |
| Dec. 19, 2010 | 30 | $613,717 $873,761 |
$46,450 | $79.57 $225.00 |
7713 1030 |
8 0 |
93.60% | 5.37% |
| Dec. 12, 2010 | 29 | $567,267 $873,761 |
- | $78.03 $225.00 |
7270 1030 |
8 0 |
88.23% | - |
| See All Grosses | ||||||||
Totals |
||||||||
| Last 4 Weeks |
$2,793,533 $3,495,044 |
$88.56 | 31192 32960 |
32 0 |
94.64 % | |||
| Cumulative |
$31,991,438 $53,816,032 |
$73.91 $225.00 |
428660 511910 |
463 34 |
83.74 % | |||
Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child Joins Fela! National Tour Jan. 29 
Fela! Ends Limited Broadway Encore Engagement Aug. 4 