FELA! Reviews

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 7:37pm

Variety is Very Positive:

'We're going to sweat up here," promises lead performer Sahr Ngaujah at the start of Bill T. Jones' hyperkinetic chronicle of the artistic, social, political and spiritual awakening of Nigerian musician-activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. He's not lying. What it lacks in structure and concision "Fela!" makes up for in heat, energy and sensuality. Like last season's "Passing Strange" and this summer's "Hair" revival, this dance-intensive bio-portrait aims to be less traditional musical theater than cathartic experience, lacing its communicative passion with infectious euphoria, rebellious anger and heartfelt despair...'

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938189.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 7:41pm

AM New York is Mixed (2 1/2 Stars out of 4):

'...in terms of dramatic structure, the show is an unapologetic, undisciplined mess. Mr. Jones has attempted to cram as much of Fela's pained experiences into a single evening, including jail, torture and seeing his mother thrown out a window. It's all rather difficult to take in.

The resulting creation, which resembles an elaborate college thesis paper, is likely to please only those who already appreciate Fela's personality. But given the intense inspiration and commitment that runs through the show, we'd really like to see "Fela!" get fixed up.'

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/stage/am-fela0905,0,1906390.story

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:17pm

Talkin' Broadway is Mixed:

'...Trouble does not even arise, as you might predict, from trimming down Anikulapo-Kuti’s own songs from 20 or even 30 minutes to four or five. With some new lyrics by Lewis, new music by Aaron Johnson (also the musical director) and Jordan McLean, and shoulder-bustingly brassy arrangements by Johnson, McLean, and Antibalas, they thoughtfully and concisely chart Fela’s protests against corrupt governments and the uninvolved citizens that allow them to flourish. The numbers, which ornament everything from a sing-along blessing to the difficult journey ahead, to Fela’s plaintive recollections of living with his mother in the public crosshairs, fit snugly into Fela’s story and, like the crisp, declarative book, never make a noticeable dramaturgical misstep.

One should not, however, underestimate the intoxicating allure of at least partial imperfection. Despite all the audience involvement woven throughout, this rigorously researched and recklessly regimented show is too certain of its own powers of persuasion to need to be completed by anyone watching it...'

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/ob/09_04_08.html

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 8:42pm

TheaterMania is Mixed-to-Positive:

'...The show -- conceived by Jones with Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel and featuring a book by Lewis and Jones -- is staged as a 1977 farewell concert, as Fela (Sahr Ngaujah) gets ready to leave Nigeria following a government crackdown that resulted in the death of his mother, Funmilayo (Abena Koomson). As Fela speaks directly to the audience, he sings some of his most well-known compositions such as "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" and talks about his life, politics, and music -- including his formation of the Afrobeat sound, which fuses jazz, funk, and traditional African chanting.

The main drawback to this structure is that the details of Fela's life are awkwardly told to the audience in expositional patter. Since Fela does most of the talking, there's also little opportunity to create a multi-dimensional portrait of the artist. We see a little of his temper, in moments when he yells at the onstage band, making them start songs over. The strongest relationship developed within the show is between mother and son, with Funmilayo occasionally making beyond the grave appearances, accompanied by a somewhat cheesy lighting effect by designer Robert Wierzel. The only other character to be identified by name in the program is Sandra (Sparlha Swa), a Black Power activist that Fela meets on a trip to America. However, none of the supporting players -- including various individuals portrayed by ensemble members -- are given much depth of characterization...'

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/15089

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 9:07pm

god I want to see this SO SO SO SO bad

*sigh*

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 9:50pm

8 more days...on the same day as Tempest. What a combination...could they be any further apart on the spectrum?

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 10:24pm

Ben Brantley at the New York Times is a Rave:

'...As played by the Brooklyn band Antibalas, standing in for the army of musicians that accompanied Mr. Kuti on his world tours, this is music that gets into your bloodstream, setting off vibrations you’ll live with for days to come. And the choreographer and director Bill T. Jones has come up with startling visual equivalents for the primal and sophisticated fusion of cultural elements that is Afrobeat, the music of Fela.

That the beat goes on, insistently and persuasively, makes “Fela!” 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 Mr. 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). What’s more, “Fela!” isn’t just one helluva party, though that it definitely is...'

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/theater/reviews/05fela.html

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 10:28pm

The New York Sun is Mixed-to-Positive:

'If any musician were to warrant a jukebox musical right now, it would be the one with the moxie to release an album called "Black President" and the chops to back it up.

That record came out almost 30 years ago, and it's one of many scorching titles by Nigeria's Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he of the 27 wives and the 200 arrests and the martyred mother. Kuti's Afrobeat sound may have drawn liberally from other musical giants, among them the Chairman of the Board and the Godfather of Soul. But as the boisterous and somewhat ramshackle new musical "Fela!" makes clear, these self-anointed icons could have learned (and, in the latter case, actually did learn) a thing or two about how to make hips shake, fists raise, pulses quicken, and minds soar from this mercurial, priapic master. Director/choreographer/co-writer Bill T. Jones, a modern-dance legend who has dipped his toe into commercial theater (his "Spring Awakening" choreography won a Tony last year), struggles to craft this overstuffed life into a digestible package...'

http://www.nysun.com/arts/shaking-hips-and-raising-fists-fela/85217/

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 10:35pm

The Associated Press is Very Positive:

'...Marina Draghici deserves special acclaim for the mural-laden set as well as the many striking, colorful costumes. She has surrounded the audience with Nigerian folk-art murals, political graffiti from the 1960s and '70s, and several projection screens on which newsreel-type footage appears. Subtitles above the stage ensure the slangy lyrics and Nigerian-accented English are clearly understood.

Kuti's beloved mother Fumilayo is movingly portrayed by Abena Koomson, who observes the antics of her son from above the stage. Koomson captures the dignity and real-life influence of Fumilayo, who was also a popular activist. Kuti died in 1997 at 58, but his music and legacy are enduring, and should find a new audience with Jones's life-affirming and effervescent celebration.'

http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=329430

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 11:38pm

Thanks for posting, Bustopher.

After Riedel praised it so highly, I'm curious to see how it is received, and whether or not it will make it to the Great White Way.

[broadwayman17]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 12:47am

The Times review is up
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/theater/reviews/05fela.html

Updated On: 9/5/08 at 12:47 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 4:03am

"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."

how can a review that includes that, be a rave?

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:05am

how can a review that includes that, be a rave?

Because Brantley, in the rest of the review, is practically saying, "Yeah, it's not well-made, but who cares when it's this electrifying and not-boring and an awesome experience?"

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:08am

Wow.

John Simon... is a Rave:

'...But what connects, enlivens and emblazons it all is the vivacity of Jones's choreography, which I can't begin to convey but must attempt to nevertheless. It includes aspects of everything from ballet to modern dance, athletics to acrobatics, sensual earthbound wallowing to winglessly winged flight. It is tastefully erotic and controlledly abandoned, animal and ultra- human.

When, at its unsurpassable post-curtain-call 10-minute climax, a 20th dancer joins in -- Jones himself -- the audience reaction may well be the most wall-shaking since Joshua blew his fabled horn.'

Wow.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601098&sid=atzOJAkWZKrA&refer=movie

[joe5]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:12am

Thanks for posting the reviews on Fela. I had a ticket for last Sundays Mat. But the performance was cancelled. Glad it has gotten some buzz. Being from out of town, hoping it sticks around a bit.

I had the pleasure of seeing Fela in concert years ago. I'm so glad they decided to bring his life story to stage.

Please bring this show to Broadway. Updated On: 9/5/08 at 09:12 AM

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:13am

The New York Daily News is Very Positive (4 Stars out of 5):

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2008/09/05/2008-09-05_the_infectious_revel_of_fela.html

The Newark Star-Ledger is Positive:

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2008/09/a_most_energetic_fela.html

Updated On: 9/5/08 at 09:13 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 8:50am

Saw the show last night, and was totally blown away !!!

Used a discount code for $25 seats, and was in the first row, dead center-- (we were calling them the "sweat seats"!)

I am not really sure that the show would find an audience on Broadway (although it was an extremely diverse crowd last night), but they really need to find a house. (which would have to be intimate)

The show is really electric, and extremely moving !!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 8:52am

The Post gave it three and a half out of four stars.

[joe5]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 9:03am

I envy you so much Testing. I'm hoping that it stays around a little longer. Or perhaps moves to a Broadway house. I've been listening to the 10 tracks posted on their web page. It brings back the memory of seeing him perform in concert. With all his 28 wives as dancers. And what a life story to boot. So glad you went. joe


Updated On: 9/17/08 at 09:03 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 9/17/08 at 8:41pm

Thanks, Joe !!! It was a blast ! Really need this show to transfer-

The audience participation (when everyone had to stand and "attempt" to dance) was great !