‘Fela!’ brings African beat back to Broadway

THE word genius is thrown around way too casually. Witness parents convinced their children should sign up for Mensa once they scribble with crayons.Every so often, however, we are in the presence of true genius. In this case Bill T. Jones, who co-wrote, directed and choreographed “Fela!” the Tony winning show that took place on Thursday, for a limited run at Broadway’s Al Hirschfeld Theatre. “Fela!” is a celebration of freedom, dance and music. It does what only live theater can do, which is force you to live in the moment, feel the joy and sadness that explodes on the stage and down the aisles of the theater, all to the Afrobeat, a sensuous blend of jazz and African music, which Fela created.This is based on the true story of Fela Kuti (1938-97), a musician, player (in every sense of the word) and nightclub owner who was reared to be a leader. In this musical, Fela (Sahr Ngaujah) narrates his story, sings, dances and plays the saxophone. The dancing is what must be seen. It is a dance of impossible beauty and grace, as ballet is, but where ballet feels ethereal, coming from the air, African dance feels rooted from the Earth. The musicians, on stage the entire time, keep the show moving. The heart of the music comes from the drummers, for they give the dancers the beat from which they spring to life. The dance tells the story, but doesn’t further it.

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‘Fela!’ brings African beat back to Broadway