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Fela!
Critic's Pick: Reviewed by Ben Brantley
Off Broadway, 37 Arts
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REVIEW SUMMARY
That the beat goes on, insistently and persuasively, makes “Fela!,” the pulse-racing new show about the Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, nigh impossible to resist. If you set aside your basic nervous and circulatory systems, though, you might observe that by the standards of the well-made musical, “Fela!” leaves a lot to be desired. The structure of the book, written by Jim Lewis and the choreographer and director Bill T. Jones, feels slapdash to the point of confusion. For all the impudence and exuberance of the wall-to-wall music by Mr. Kuti that is used here, a pious haze of hagiography hangs over the show, creating the blinkered view of a great man martyred. Yet the ascendancy of the music in “Fela!,” and the three-dimensional translation of it by Mr. Jones and his vibrant design team, makes such criticism irrelevant for as long as you’re in your seat (or out of it, since the audience is regularly encouraged to stand and undulate). — Ben Brantley
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SHOWTIMES / VENUE
Opening Date: Sept. 4, 2008
Closing Date: Sept. 21, 2008
Remaining Shows:
Sept. 20, 2008 2:00 p.m.
Sept. 20, 2008 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 21, 2008 2:00 p.m.
Sept. 21, 2008 7:00 p.m.
37 Arts
450 W. 37th St.
New York, NY 10018
Ticket Price: $76.25
Ticket Information: Ticketmaster: 212-307-7171, http://www.ticketmaster.com
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Readers' ReviewsReport a Problem Post | Posting Policy | FAQ Average Reader Rating (4.5 stars, 37 votes)
NEWEST READER REVIEW
STUPENDO!!!, September 16, 2008
Reviewer: robirighi
STUPENDO is the italian for WONDERFUL, but you can add the most prizing adjectives to this great musical. We came all the way from Italy to enjoy it and I can tell it was worth the trip. I hope it will make it to larger audiences and to other countries so that those who were not as lucky as us can fully enjoy it. Our nine year old Asia had also the chance to enjoy all the kindness of all dancers and musicians and of Mr. Bill T. Jones himself, who were all very happy to say hello to the only kid in the audience that nite. Just a STUPENDO lifetime souvenir for her and for us too. Asia, Laurence and Roberto from Rimini - Italy
Read All 14 Reader Reviews
NEWS
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CURRENT CAST
Starring Sahr Ngaujah, Abena Koomson, Anne Andre, Corey Baker, Calvin C. Booker, Lauren Deveaux, Nicole Chantal DeWeever, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Aimee Graham, Talu Green, Karma Mayet Johnson, Ismael Kouyate, Maia McKinney, Marcus Phillips, Daniel Soto, Sparlha Swa, Jill M. Vallery and Iris Wilson
Fela!