Coming to Philadelphia at the Academy of Music

    FELA!, the most critically acclaimed musical of the season and the recipient of three 2010 Tony Awards, will play the Academy of Music  for a limited engagement March 20 – 25, 2012 as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization.  The press opening is Tues., March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

      Tickets ranging in price from $20 to $100 are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)  or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust streets (open during performances only).  Groups of 10 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.  Performances include:  Tuesday – Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. and matinees Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

   FELA!, directed by Bill T. Jones, is a provocative hybrid of dance, theatre and music exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. The show has become an international sensation having been performed in three continents.

     A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, FELA! is the true story of Kuti, who created a type of music, Aftrobeat, and mixed these pounding eclectic rhythms (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies) with incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa.  Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’s visionary staging, FELA! reveals Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist and celebrates his pioneering music.