Anyone going to FELA! tonight (first preview)?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 1:28pm

Let us know how it is! I'm excited for this one but I fear it might be this season's PASSING STRANGE, another critic's darling that I strongly disliked.
Updated On: 10/19/09 at 01:28 PM

[joe5]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 1:45pm

Nobody is making you go ! Enough already !

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 2:03pm

...I said I was excited for it. Just because I think it might be a repeat of PASSING STRANGE means absolutely nothing. We'll see how I feel after I see it. And what do you mean "enough already"? Have I been constantly posting about this and just don't know it?

Calm down.
Updated On: 10/19/09 at 02:03 PM

[joe5]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 2:15pm

Sorry, but using the word fear, sounds far from excited !

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 2:15pm

I'll be there, and am VERY excited for it.

[round2]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 2:54pm

And with black people on stage too!

I'm very excited about FELA! - I must admit.

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 4:14pm

I saw the run through last nite and really,really like it . The theater looks great too .

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 5:32pm

"Sorry, but using the word fear, sounds far from excited !"

Yes but the word "excited" is pretty close to excited. You need to calm down.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 5:36pm

I am interested in knowing how this goes as well.

Updated On: 10/19/09 at 05:36 PM

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 5:41pm

MERDE!!!

[wendilin622]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 7:39pm

The story sounds very unique and very promising. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!!!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 12:42am

Bump.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 12:59am

I'm back and liked it a lot. I didn't LOVE it though, and think it could use a little tightening up.

To me this was a three hour history lesson with some really awesome music and dancing. Luckily I like history and I found the subject material interesting. The thing that was missing for me was an emotional connection to the material. It certainly was dramatic and moving at times, but it was so far removed from anything I've experienced or could relate to that I felt like an outsider looking in.

For those wondering about the alternates I found out once it opens they are going to be splitting the role 4 and 4. The exact schedule hasn't been decided yet though.

The performances are all very, very strong. The ensemble must be on some serious stimulants to keep them going like that. There was so much energy on that stage.

Sahr Ngaujah was on for Fela, and quite frankly was a revelation. I don't know how they're going to sort out the Tony awards with this role, but Sahr will be a MAJOR contender. He literally doesn't leave the stage, and he's basically the only one with lines and songs. It's almost like a one-man show with a bunch of dancers.

Lillias White is good in her very small role. I wish she had been used more. Saycon Sengbloh sounds good, but also has little stage time. It's all about Fela, and that's fine.

They kind of use a mosaic structure to tell his life. It starts out at a disco in Lagos where Fela is playing his finale concert before going into exile. We see bits of his life as the play progresses.

The O'Neill has been turned into the interior of the disco. Christmas lights are everywhere, as well as posters and other various images. Projects are shot all over the interior of the theater throughout the show. The cast frequently comes out into the audience. There is a lot of audience interaction. In fact Fela directs all of his speech at the audience and often asks you to affirm you're paying attention with a "yeah yeah."

Lyrics for many of the songs are projected on the back wall, which is helpful as Sahr's accent is thick and the lyrics are "proper" English.

Sorry this has been a jumble. I really was intrigued and will be definitely go back again. I just wish it had hit me harder on an emotional level.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 1:20am

It sounds like Passing Strange meets Hair (based on the audience interaction stuff).

I haven't been following this show, but do they have a Fela alternate because of the demanding nature of the role (similar to Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys)? Why are they doing it 4 and 4?

I saw you mentioned the show was almost three hours - did you feel there were any parts that lagged that could be cut?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 1:20am

Glad you liked it, whizzer! Was the audience interaction participatory? What was it like specifically? And where should I sit to avoid it? Ha. Updated On: 10/20/09 at 01:20 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 1:31am

Kind of Passing Strange meets Hair, but not quite. I loved Passing Strange with all my heart and soul. I've rarely been so moved in theater. Fela felt like a really interactive college lecture. There was something academic about it that kept me from really letting my feelings get involved.

The audience interaction comes in many forms. At one point everyone is asked to stand up as he teaches you one of the dance moves. Another time we are asked to sing the chorus chant section of a song. Fela constantly asks the audience questions, which many people answered. This kind of stuff goes over well at a first preview, but during a Wed matinee in January it may be a different story.

The cast runs up and down the aisles of the orchestra a bit, so if you want to avoid that sit in the mezz. I actually recommend the mezz because then you can see all the projections.

ETA- It's not so much that there were parts that lagged, but parts that felt unnecessary. Since it is in this mosaic format, you can take out some pieces and still see a whole picture.

Updated On: 10/20/09 at 01:31 AM

[joe5]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 7:13am

Whiz, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Your one of the few posters here. Who's thoughts I value and trust. And I'm glad you liked it and plan on returning.

When I saw him in concert. In Boston, back in the 80's. I was entranced by the music and dancing. And being young, was a great cultural experence. That I will never forget. And I have been seeing Broadway shows for 35 years. I never thought I would see his story on Broadway.

I can't wait till November ! joe
Updated On: 10/20/09 at 07:13 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 8:00am

The audience interaction comes in many forms. At one point everyone is asked to stand up as he teaches you one of the dance moves. Another time we are asked to sing the chorus chant section of a song. Fela constantly asks the audience questions, which many people answered. This kind of stuff goes over well at a first preview, but during a Wed matinee in January it may be a different story.

I don't like the sound of that one bit. I'm very excited for this show, but have no desire to have to get up and dance or sing. I came to watch the professionals do that, not take part myself. I'm really not a fan of audience participation.
Updated On: 10/20/09 at 08:00 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 8:35am

"I don't like the sound of that one bit. I'm very excited for this show, but have no desire to have to get up and dance or sing. I came to watch the professionals do that, not take part myself. I'm really not a fan of this audience participation."

I agree with you that I would rather watch the professionals do this tan take part in it myself. This part of the show was very awkward for me...but I'm glad I was sitting in the mezz and was slightly disconnected from the stage...I couldn't imagine being in the front row for this part of the show!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 8:58am

What did you think of the rest of the show, Trace?

Good to know that the mezz feels disconnected from the audience participation. Maybe that's where I should sit.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 8:59am

I hate to turn this into one of "those" threads, but any word on the rush seats, namely, their location?

Thanks!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 9:12am

I'm with adamgreer and WAT regarding audience interaction. But I actually love seeing audience members being the "target" of the actors' interaction. Just not me. Haha.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 9:38am

I found the audience participation, especially the standing and dancing, to be very awkward and it should be cut. This kind of stuff can work well in a smaller off-Broadway house, but I think they'll find audiences will have a less than enthusiastic reaction to it on Broadway.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 1:22pm

I thought this might happen---- Off-Broadway, the audience participation was a blast. (I got to "dance" next to Fiona Apple)

Anyway.... I have a feeling they will cut it prior to opening.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 2:07pm

I'm seeing this in December. I hope the audience participation is cut. For some reason, I thought it ran 2 hrs and 30 minutes off-broadway. This news that it is almost 3 hours means I won't make the last train back to DC unless there are cuts. Not good. I am looking forward to this in any case. I am an Africa-geek but I missed it off-broadway.