A grand finale to Birthday Month!
As some of you know, I’d been celebrating my birthday month for the 30 days leading up to my actual birthday on April 29th.
The grand finale + icing on the cake of birthday month was a performance of FELA!, the lauded Broadway musical, which has briefly landed in L.A. at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Even though I’ve lived in L.A. for several years in total, I’d never been to the Ahmanson before this. It was an extra special treat to finally get to step foot into this downtown venue. It’s surrounded by other fabulous venues like the Mark Taper Forum and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. And it really is a great place to relax and see a live show. I’ve definitely been missing out!
{Image courtesy of Center Theatre Group}
A friend and I got ready on Tuesday night and headed downtown for the show. I actually wasn’t familiar with the premise of the show, so once we made it to our seats, I grabbed a copy of the program and read up.
FELA! is based on real-life Nigerian musician + performer + rebellious activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who used his music as a weapon to fight back against military regimes in his homeland {and beyond}. He was a larger than life character, who produced more than 70 albums during his prolific career, all the while collecting loads of fans, ranging from Sir Paul McCartney to James Brown to Mos’ Def. He was known for his raw, candid performances and for his love of women. He dared to speak what many others would not. When he passed away in 1997, at the age of 58, his nation mourned and celebrated him by taking to the streets of Lagos to the tune of over a million strong.
{Adesola Osakalumi in Fela! – Image by Sharon Bradford}
No doubt, Fela was a powerful figure. He was the hottest musician in Africa during the late 1970′s, performing at his club called The Shrine, where he and his friends created a whole new genre of music – Afrobeat.
I wasn’t super familiar with Afrobeat before seeing this show. I had heard bits and pieces but seeing Fela! is a total Afrobeat immersion, with its’ pounding rhythms and bold lyrics designed to fire up the crowd and effectively “give the finger” to repressive military dictatorships throughout the country. I loved it!
The show was unstoppable. The beats were unrelenting. The lyrics were incendiary. The performances, captivating. I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage. And considering it takes A LOT to keep my attention, that’s saying something. 
The collective of dancers and musicians are ridiculously talented. The spirit with which they perform is contagious. In fact, it’s left me feeling like I really need to take a dance class. Pronto!
Michelle Williams {of Destiny’s Child fame} holds her own as the character Sandra, opposite Fela Kuti played by the electrifying Adeola Osakalumi. In my opinion, another of the standout characters was Fela’s mother, played by Melanie Marshall. Her voice is beautifully haunting, even operatic at times. Her scenes were unforgettable.
{Adesola Osakalumi and Michelle Williams in Fela! –Image by Carol Rosegg}
At first, when I read about the show, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to resonate with the story or message. But that is the furthest thing from true. This show is so relevant today. Not just to me, but to everyone. Especially given the political climate around the globe. The courage and conviction that Fela and his devotees showed, even in the face of persecution, is nothing if not admirable.
The overarching message I took away from the show can be summed up in the words of another Firestarter / Peaceful warrior, Mahatma Ghandi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Fela Kuti so embodied this idea. In fact, he made it his life’s mission to ignite change in his community and in his country. If this isn’t a powerful lesson and example, I don’t know what is.
{Michelle Williams, Adesola Osakalumi and Melanie Marshall in Fela! – Image by Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP}
FELA! is at the Ahmanson Theatre through Sunday May 5, 2013. There are still tickets available!
In fact, thanks to the amazing folks at Center Theatre Group, you can get discounted tickets by clicking here.
Get yourself to a show – you WILL NOT be disappointed.
YEAH! YEAH!
DISCLOSURE :: Financial compensation was not received for this post, but complimentary tickets were gifted from the organization. The opinions expressed here are my own. Regardless of compensation, I will always give my honest opinions, beliefs, and reviews of my experiences. My goal is to provide you with the best curated content and information – always. Cheers!
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