Fela!
Musical in 2 Acts. Book by Jum Lewis and Mill T. Jones. Music and Lyrics Fela Anikulapu-Kuti
Eugene O'Niell Theatre, Broadway, New York - Opened 23rd November, 2009
(Olivier) National Theatre, London - 16November, 2010
FELA! is the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.
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! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony-Award® winner Bill T. Jones.
Musial Numbers
- Welcome Na De Shrine
"Everything Scatter" -Fela and Company
- B.I.D. (Breaking It Down)
- "Iba Orisa": Traditional Yoruba chant - Ismael, Fela and Company
- Hymn by Reverend J.J. Ransome-Kuti - Fela, Company and Band
- "Medzi Medzi" by E.T. Mensah - Company and Band
- "Mr. Syms" by John Coltrane - Company and Band
- "Manteca" by Chano Pozo - Company and Band
- "I Got the Feeling" by James Brown - Ismael and Company
- Underground Spiritual Game (The Clock)
"Originality/Yellow Fever" Fela and Company
- Trouble
- "Trouble Sleep" Fela, Funmilayo and Company
- "Teacher Don't leach Me Nonsense" Fela, Funmilayo and Company
- Black President
- "Lover" * Fela and Sandra
- "Upside Down" Fela, Sandra and Company
- "Expensive Shit" Fela and Company
- "Pipeline" */ "I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)" Fela and Company
- "Kere Kay" Fcla and Company
- Water
- "Water No Get Enemy" Fcla, Sandra and Company
- "Egbe Mio" Fela, Queens and Funmilayo
- "Water No Get Enemy" Fcla, Sandra and Company
- The Game
- "Zombie" Fela and Company
- "Trouble Sleep" (reprise) Fela, Funmilayo and Queens
- "Zombie" Fela and Company
- Wedding
"Na Poi" Fela and Queens
- The Storming of Kalakuta
"Sorrow Tears and Blood" Fela and Company
- Dance of the Orisas
- "Iba Orisa/Shakara" Company and Band
- "Rain" § Funmilayo and Company
- "Iba Orisa/Shakara" Company and Band
- B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Coffin)
- "Coffin for Head of State" Fela and Company
- "Kere Kay" (reprise) Fela and Company
- "Coffin for Head of State" Fela and Company
* "Lover" and "Pipeline," English lyrics by Jim Lewis
§ "Rain" music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean, lyrics by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis
Instrumentation
Trombone; Keyboards; Drums; Percussion; Trumpet; Bass; Guitars: Baritone Saxophone: Tenor Saxophone