Tony Award Winner Lillias White to Star in Fela! on Broadway

Tony Award winner Lillias White will star in new musical Fela! on Broadway. The tuner begins performances at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on October 19, with opening night set for November 23. The production, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, features the music of legendary African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

White joins previously announced star Sahr Ngaujah as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, mother of Fela. She is best known for her Broadway roles in Dreamgirls, Barnum, Cats, Once On This Island, Howe to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Chicago and The Life, for which she won a Tony Award. Her off-Broadway credits include Crowns and Romance in Hard Times. Film credits include Pieces of April, Game Six and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. On the small screen, White has been seen on Sesame Street, Law and Order: SVU, The Jury, NYPD Blue, PBS TV in Performance at the White House and the PBS Great Performances telecast of South Pacific.

Fela! was conceived by Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Henden. The show features scenic and costume design by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Rob Wierzel, sound design by Rob Kaplowitz and projection design by Peter Nigrini. Musical arrangements and additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean, with Jim Lewis providing additional lyrics.