Music and lyrics by Fela Kuti
Book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis
Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
July 7 – EXTENDED to August 20, 2023
Round House Theatre – co-produced with and performed at Olney Theatre Center
Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center combine forces for an epic co-production of the award-winning musical Fela!, the first professional production anywhere in the world since its national tour more than ten years ago. It’s 1978, and we meet musician, activist, and global superstar Fela Anikulapo Kuti at his farewell show at the Afrika Shrine nightclub in Lagos, Nigeria. After losing his own mother in a dictator’s violent attack, Fela’s final act in Nigeria is to use his iconic music—a spirited blend of traditional African drumming, jazz, and funk—to tell his story of survival and global revolution through Afrobeat and floor-shaking dance. The Tony Award-winning and Grammy-nominated musical “captures the spirit of rebellion…that dwells within all of us” (The New York Times) in the inspiring true story of one man’s fight against corruption and oppression.
Olney Theatre Center and Round House Theatre are extending the run of FELA! (directed by Lili-Anne Brown) for one week of additional performances. The new closing date is Sunday, August 20, 2023. The additional performances are:
- Wednesday, August 16 at 8:00 pm
- Thursday, August 17 at 8:00 pm
- Friday, August 18 at 8:00 pm
- Saturday, August 19 at 2:00 pm
- Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 pm
- Sunday, August 20 at 2:00 pm
Duain Richmond continues in the title role, as Fela. During the extension week only, the role of Funmilayo, currently portrayed by Melody A. Betts, will be played by Yewande Odetoyinbo.
