Ale Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 Jay-Z and Will Smith are exhibiting their passion for the arts with generous sponsorship for the production of an upcoming $11 million Broadway musical titled 'Fela,' which documents the life of Nigerian activist and performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The play, which officially debuts on Nov. 23, will include Kuti's personal music, as well as other African, jazz and funk influences. Fela Kuti has been celebrated for his musical influence in Africa, most notably for spearheading the introduction of afro-beat music to the mainstream. He was also a well-known human rights activist, heavily influenced by the American Black Power movement, and eventually served jail time for his activism before his 1997 death from the HIV virus. An original version of the two-hour biographical play debuted off-Broadway in September 2008 to rave reviews, but production on the new musical was temporarily halted because of financial troubles. The new and improved version of the play will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bill T. Jones and will feature actor Sahr Ngaujah, who won praise for his role in the original adaptation. Though there have been mumblings that Jay-Z and Will Smith may step in as producers, there has only been confirmation that financial support from the two stars has kept production in motion. Previews of 'Fela' will begin on Oct. 19 at the Eugene O'Neill Theater in New York and the show will run through April 4. http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/11/jay-z-will-smith-shell-out-millions-to-support-fela-kuti-musica/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Photos: ?uestlove, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith support FELA! This past weekend the cast and crew of Fela!, the stunning Broadway show about the life of Nigeria's revolutionary singer, Fela Kuti, inventor of Afro-Beat, held a small cocktail party to welcome celebrity producers Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith to the team. Will and Jada watched the show, came on stage at the encore to support the cast, and hung out meeting and greeting everyone afterward. Another big celeb associate producer of the show, namely Mr. ?uestlover, was on hand for the festivities as well. More photos after the jump, and DISCOUNTED OKP tickets to the show are still available! http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Photos-uestlove-Will-Smith-Jada-Pinkett-Smith-support-FELA-.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilsJim89 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I guess this is cool...not something I'd wanna invest millions into though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIsqo Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 I know, right? Well, thats millions by millionares... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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