Tony Winner Bill T. Jones to Direct and Choreograph Fela! Off-Broadway

Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones will direct and choreograph the world premiere of Fela!, a new musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Featuring a book by Jones and Jim Lewis, Fela! will feature Kuti's music performed live onstage by the band Antibalas and other members of the New York Afrobeat community. Its limited off-Broadway run begins previews at 37 Arts on July 29 with opening night set for September 4, and will play through September 21.

Fela! tells the story of Kuti's controversial life as an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician in Nigeria. In addition to forming a political party and running for president several times, Kuti created the enormously influential style of music known as "Afrobeat," which blended jazz, funk and African rhythms and harmonies. He was arrested more than 200 times but chose to continue living in his home country. He died on August 3, 1997, of complications from AIDS, and nearly one million people attended his funeral.

Fela! is described as a concert-like production incorporating elements from both dance and musical theater. It will feature Sahr Ngaujah in the title role and Abena Koomson as Kuti's mother. Rounding out the cast is Anne Andre, Corey Baker, Calvin C. Booker, Lauren Deveaux, Nicole Chantal DeWeever, Rujeko Dumbutshena, Aimee Graham, Talu Green, Karma Mayet Johnson, Ismael Kouyate, Maia McKinney, Marcus Phillips, Daniel Soto, Sparlha Swa, Jill M. Vallery and Iris Wilson.

Jones won both Tony Award and Obie Awards in 2007 for his choreography for Spring Awakening. He's also the recipient of the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work in The Seven, and was granted the MacArthur "Genius" Award in 1994. He choreographed and performed worldwide with his late partner, Arnie Zane, before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982, currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. He has created more than 100 works for his company.

Lewis' Broadway credits include Chronicle of a Death Foretold Tony nomination, Dangerous Games and Tango Apaisionado. He is currently working on This Beautiful City with The Civilians, now touring nationally with an off-Broadway premiere set for January 2009 at the Vineyard.

Fela, which is being produced by Ruth & Stephen Hendel and Roy Gabay, features scenic and costume design is by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Rob Wierzel, sound design by Rob Kaplowitz and projection design by Peter Negrini. Aaron Johnson is musical director.