46th season 2012/2013

first season production Jeff Goldblum in seminar by theresa rebeck Directed by sam Gold ahmanson West Coast premiere october 10 – november 18, 2012

second season production anything Goes theatre a roundabout theatre Company production starring rachel York Music and Lyrics by Cole porter original book by p.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton, and howard Lindsay & russel Crouse new book by timothy Crouse and John Weidman Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall november 27, 2012 – January 6, 2013

third season production Backbeat by iain softley and stephen Jeff reys Directed by David Leveaux u.s. premiere January 20 – March 1, 2013

fourth season production tracie Bennett as Judy Garland in End of the rainbow by peter Quilter Directed by terry Johnson West Coast premiere March 12 – april 21, 2013

season bonus option fela! Book by Jim Lewis and Bill t. Jones Music and Lyrics by fela anikulapo-Kuti additional Lyrics by Jim Lewis additional Music by aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean Based on the life of fela anikulapo-Kuti Conceived by Bill t. Jones, Jim Lewis and stephen hendel Directed and Choreographed by Bill t. Jones presented by shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will smith and Jada pinkett smith, stephen and ruth hendel april 26 – May 5, 2013

fifth season production the scottsboro Boys Music and Lyrics by John Kander and fred Ebb Book by David thompson Directed and Choreographed by susan stroman May 21 – June 30, 2013

season sponsors

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P1 CEnter Theatre Group Board of Directors 2012/2013 Officers

honorary chairman Bruce L. Ross Lew R. Wasserman† Dan Sernett Cheryl A. Shepherd chairman Eva Stern Martin Massman Sue Tsao

president emeritus William H. Ahmanson Harold Applebaum Ronald J. Arnault vice president Judith Beckmen Ava Fries Gordon Davidson Phyllis Hennigan secretary Leonard Hirshan Amy R. Forbes Richard Kagan Nancy Olson Livingston assistant secretary O. Kit Lokey Susan Grode Diane Morton

treasurer past presidents Dr. Steven Nagelberg Lew R. Wasserman† Marshall Berges† board members Armand S. Deutsch† Dean V. Ambrose Walter Mirisch Michelle Williams (center) and the cast of Fela!. photo by raymond hagans. Pamela Beck Henry C. Rogers† Norris J. Bishton, Jr. Richard E. Sherwood† Howard Bragman J. David Haft† Diana Buckhantz Lawrence J. Ramer† Dannielle Campos Ramirez Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr. Joseph C. Carieri Phyllis Hennigan Marcy Carsey Richard Kagan Nancy de Brier Martin Massman Cástulo de la Rocha Vin Di Bona Dante Di Loreto Frances Flanagan Barbara Fodor Eric R. Garen Kiki Ramos Gindler Patricia Glaser Brindell Roberts Gottlieb Tim Hanlon Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr. Darell L. Krasnoff Lucy M. Labruzzo Jennifer Altfeld Landau Carol Mancino Antonio Manning Dale S. Miller Walter Mirisch Jo Muse Edward B. Nahmias Diane Neubauer Edward L. Rada Bill Resnick Michael Ritchie Laura Rosenwald

†Deceased Adesola Osakalumi. photo by raymond hagans.

P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE Michelle Williams (center) and the cast of Fela!. photo by raymond hagans.

Program NoTE

It’s Lagos, Nigeria — the late 70s. Fela’s personal search for a “true African style." And after each number (which can easily run over half an hour) Fela The hottest musician in Africa is Fela “yabis” his audience. He actively engages in a humorous, Kuti. His club he calls The Shrine. often caustic give and take, poking fun at his audience and a wide variety of topics — first and foremost, the But it’s no ordinary club; and he’s no ordinary musician. corrupt Nigerian generals and the large multi-nationals He’s created a new kind of music, Afrobeat — pounding and oil companies that keep them in power. So it’s not eclectic rhythms (drawn from music traditions around uncommon that before dawn, when the “concert” finally the globe) mixed with incendiary lyrics to openly attack starts to wind down, the Army might show up to harass the corrupt and repressive military dictatorships that rule Fela, his Queens, band and audience, or depending on Nigeria and much of Africa. And now his music is rocking what’s been said and done, haul them off to jail to be not only Africa, but the world. beaten and tortured.

So, if you’re determined (and lucky enough) to get in, it’s Fittingly, Fela keeps his own small army, and has sure to be a night to remember. But first you have to get surrounded his compound with electric wire. And for there. The Shrine is in one of the most dangerous parts of spiritual strength and protection, The Shrine’s walls the city, and between the thousands trying to get in and are covered with tributes to “The Ancestors,” gods and the Army trying to keep you away, it’s no easy task. Best to humans, alive and dead, who, like Fela, put their lives at show up before 11 p.m. The Shrine will be cooking: music stake for what they believe. When the stakes are this high, and people milling about smoking igbo and drinking. anything might happen. But Fela, who lives just across the street in his Kalakuta compound, rarely shows up before two or three in the Welcome na de Shrine! morning. And depending on the night, and Fela’s mood, it’s anybody’s guess what will happen. —Jim Lewis No two nights are ever the same. There’s always plenty of “Fela music," but also a seemingly random mix of FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FELA! consciousness-raising lectures, gyrating female dancers, Please visit: http://www.felaonbroadway.com pamphleteering, Yoruban rites, and idiosyncratic rituals Add us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FELAmusical aimed at connecting to the spirit world — all a part of Follow us on Twitter! @FelaMusical

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P3 SHAWN “JAY-Z” CARTER AND WILL & JADA PINKETT SMITH, RUTH & STEPHEN HENDEL, THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF GREAT BRITAIN, AHMIR “QUESTLOVE” THOMPSON, SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT, FELA BROADWAY LLC, EDWARD TYLER NAHEM, KNITTING FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT Present

BOOK MUSIC AND LYRICS Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones Fela Anikulapo-Kuti ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY Jim Lewis ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY Aaron Johnson & Jordan McLean BASED ON THE LIFE OF Fela Anikulapo-Kuti CONCEIVED BY Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis & Stephen Hendel INSPIRED BY The authorized biography Fela: This Bitch of a Life by Carlos Moore

ADESOLA OSAKALUMI DUAIN RICHMOND MICHELLE WILLIAMS RASAAN-ELIJAH “TALU” GREEN ISMAEL KOUYATÉ GELAN LAMBERT

LAUREN DE VEAUX, SHAWN ALYNDA FISHER, JASON HERBERT, SHAKIRA MARSHALL, INDIA McGEE, ONEIKA PHILLIPS, KAFI PIERRE, MALAIYKA REID, DANIEL SOTO, TRICIA M. TAITT, ADÉ CHIKÉ TORBERT, UYOATA UDI, JILL MARIE VALLERY and MELANIE MARSHALL

SCENIC & COSTUME DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER SOUND DESIGNER PROJECTION DESIGNER Marina Draghici Robert Wierzel Robert Kaplowitz Peter Nigrini WIG, HAIR & MAKE-UP DESIGNER MUSIC DIRECTION & COORDINATOR/ CASTING PRODUCTION general MANAGER Cookie Jordan ORCHESTRATIONS/ARRANGEMENTS Arnold J. Mungioli, CSA PAUL M. RAMBACHER Aaron Johnson CORPORATE GENERAL MANAGER COMPANY MANAGER PRODUCTION MANAGER PRODUCTION stage MANAGER ROY GABAY WILL BRANDSTETTER RANDY MORELAND WILLIAM GILINSKY

general PRESS REPRESENTaTIVE TOUR PRESENTATION MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS Richard Kornberg Cami Spectrum/ Jordan McLean & Associates Columbia Artists Theatricals

TOUR DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER MAIJA GARCIA

DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY BILL T. JONES Ahmanson Theatre • April 26 – May 5, 2013

P4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE CAST Fela Anikulapo-Kuti . . . . .ADESOLA OSAKALUMI, DUAIN RICHMOND* Funmilayo ...... MELANIE MARSHALL** Sandra Isadore ...... MICHELLE WILLIAMS Ismael ...... ISMAEL KOUYATÉ J.K. Braimah (Tap Dancer), Egungun ...... GELAN LAMBERT Djembe-“Mustafa” ...... RASAAN-ELIJAH “TALU” GREEN

Ensemble ...... LAUREN DE VEAUX, SHAWN ALYNDA FISHER, jason herbert , SHAKIRA MARSHALL, INDIA MCGEE, ONEIKA PHILLIPS, KAFI PIERRE, MALAIYKA REID, DANIEL SOTO, TRICIA M. TAITT, ADÉ CHIKÉ TORBERT, UYOATA UDI, JILL MARIE VALLERY

Swings sHAKIRA mARSHALL, KAFI PIERRE, ADÉ CHIKÉ TORBERT, UYOATA UDI, JILL MARIE VALLERY

Dance Captains JILL MARIE VALLERY, Dance Captain; ONEIKA PHILLIPS, Assistant Dance Captain; DANIEL SOTO, Assistant Dance Captain

Understudies Understudies never appear for a listed player unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance. For Funmilayo – ONEIKA PHILLIPS; For Sandra Isadore– SHAWN ALYNDA FISHER, ONEIKA PHILLIPS; For Ismael – UYOATA UDI; For J.K. Braimah/Egungun – ADÉ CHIKÉ TORBERT,

Setting A concert at Fela’s Shrine. Lagos, Nigeria, circa 1978 — Several months after the death of Fela’s mother, Funmilayo.

Fela! will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.

*At certain performances, the role of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be played by Duain Richmond. The company of Fela! is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. **Melanie Marshall is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, beepers and watch alarms. The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management. For patrons with disabilities: wheelchair seating is available in a variety of theatre locations. When ordering your tickets, please indicate any special needs. For our hearing-impaired guests, the theatre is equipped with listening devices; please contact an usher for assistance.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P5 MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I THE SHRINE “Everything Scatter” ...... Fela and Company B.I.D. (Breaking it Down) “Iba Orisha” — Traditional Yoruba chant . . . . Ismael, Fela and Company Hymn by Reverend J.J. Ransome-Kuti ...... Fela, Company and Band “Medzi Medzi” by E.T. Mensah ...... Company and Band “Manteca” by Chano Pozo ...... Company and Band “I Got the Feeling” by James Brown ...... Ismael and Company UNDERGROUND SPIRITUAL GAME (The Clock) “Originality/Yellow Fever” ...... Fela and Company TROUBLE “Trouble Sleep” ...... Fela, Funmilayo and Company BLACK PRESIDENT “Lover”* ...... Fela and Sandra “Upside Down” ...... Fela, Sandra and Company “Expensive Shit” ...... Fela and Company “Pipeline”*/“I.T.T. (International Thief Thief”) . . .Fela and Company “Kere Kay” ...... Fela and Company

ACT II WATER “Water No Get Enemy” ...... Fela, Sandra and Company “Egbe Mio” ...... Fela, Queens and Funmilayo THE GAME “Zombie” ...... Fela and Company “Trouble Sleep” (reprise) ...... Fela and Funmilayo WEDDING “Na Poi” ...... Fela and Queens THE STORMING OF KALAKUTA “Sorrow Tears and Blood” ...... Fela and Company THE ORISHAS “Iba Orisha/Shakara” ...... Company and Band “Rain”** ...... Funmilayo and Company B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Coffin) “Coffin For Head Of State” ...... Fela and Company “Kere Kay” (reprise) ...... Fela and Company

Band Greg Gonzalez Music Director/Drums Dylan Fusillo Percussion Jeremy Wilms Assistant Music Director/Bass Morgan Price Tenor Saxophone/Keyboard Raymond Mason Trombone/Keyboard Alex Harding Baritone Sax Ricardo Quinones Guitar Jeff Pierce Trumpet Bryan Vargas Guitar/Percussion Roland Guerrero Conga Drums/Djembe

*Lover and Pipeline lyrics by Jim Lewis. **Rain music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean, lyrics by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis.

P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE Adesola Osakalumi and Michelle Williams. photo by carol rosegg.

Melanie Marshall and Adesola Osakalumi. Michelle Williams. photo by carol rosegg. Adesola Osakalumi. photo by sharen bradford. photo by sharen bradford.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P7 Who’s Who

ADESOLA MELANIE in the title role, as Shug Avery in The OSAKALUMI MARSHALL Color Purple and as Roxie Hart in (Fela Anikulapo- (Funmilayo). Chicago. Born and raised in the small Kuti). Theatre Training: Royal Chicago suburb of Rockford, Illinois, includes Fela! College of Music Michelle always dreamed of a career on (Broadway), Equus (Foundation the stage. Fiercely guided by her faith (Broadway), Scholarship for and raised with a strong family core, Ngwino Ubeho Singing and Michelle was certain that one day she’d (Sundance Piano). Theatre be a superstar. During her teenage Theatre Lab), includes Fela! (National Theatre); Hot years, she directed church and Eyewitness Blues (NYTW), Jam on the Mikado (Watermill Theatre); Simply community choirs; a platform that not Groove (Drama Desk nominee). Films Heavenly (Young Vic and Trafalgar only served to develop her distinct voice include Sex and the City 2, Crazy Beats Strong Every Time, The Accidental Studios); The Fat Lady Sings; Elsa but also her independence and dexterity Husband, Across the Universe, Enchanted, Canasta and L’Eveil with the Rambert as an artist. She is currently working on Idlewild . As choreographer: Broadway Dance Company; Carmen Jones, Porgy her fourth solo album, a new gospel Bares, ESPN, Old Navy, PBS Kids, and Bess, Fame, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and offering and her first release for Light Halifax Bank, Advil, the films School of Kiss Me, Kate (all West End). Television Records/eOne. Rock and Marci X . NEA Grant and and film include Alice in Wonderland, Bessie Award Recipient. Adesola thanks The Wide Sargasso Sea, Ray, BBC Proms, RASAAN-ELIJAH the Creator, the Ancestors and the Songs of Praise, The Walker and Casualty. “TALU” GREEN Divinities! Special thanks go to my Recordings include Feel the Spirit, A (Djembe- family, The Africa I Dance Theatre under Christmas Festival, Messiah, Distant Land "Mustafa"). the direction of R. Francis, Egbe Omo (all conducted by John Rutter) and Training: Long Nago, The Rhythm Technicians/ Cocktail. BBC Radio includes Friday Island University. GhettOriginal Productions Dance Co., Night is Music Night, In Tune and Theatre in-cludes Tara Boragine, Lakey Wolff, Erin Grush, Stephen Sondheim’s 75th Birthday Fela! (off- Jen Krater, Universes, The Rhythmics Concert. Melanie has also appeared Broadway, and Margaret Selby. with the Royal Philharmonic, Liverpool, Broadway and Lagos, Nigeria); Afropop www.adesola.com the Hallé and all the BBC Orchestras, Worldwide Gala, Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund Benefit, and has performed in concert at DUAIN Dance Africa, National Black Arts Carnegie Hall and all major U.K. concert RICHMOND (Fela Festival, Bambara Drum & Dance venues. Melanie was nominated for a Anikulapo-Kuti Ensemble, Indoda Entsha Percussion 2012 Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Alternate) is a Ensemble, Creative Outlet Dance native of Sierra Actress in a Non Residential Production Theatre of Brooklyn. Talu exhibited his Leone, West and nominated for a 2012 NAACP passion for West African percussion Africa, and is Award for Best Supporting Actress, both music after visiting several African honored to be a for her role in Fela! countries where he gained first-hand part of the Fela! experience with traditional experience. Duain got his start in MICHELLE percussionists. theatre under the guidance of Freddie WILLIAMS Hendricks, performing in such shows as (Sandra Isadore). ISMAEL Times, B .L .A .C .K ,. and the internationally Michelle Williams KOUYATÉ acclaimed Soweto, which won best all is a multi-award (Ismael). Ismael around production at the Windybrow winning hails from a family Theatre in South Africa. His other international of renowned theatre credits include DiggyDotCom singer, songwriter artists and praise (Made in da Shade, Amsterdam), and actress. She singers in Guinea, Ruined and Superior Donuts (Geffen is best known as a member of the West Africa. He performed with Playhouse, L.A.). Film credits: The Wool record-breaking R&B/Pop sensation Cap, Stomp the Yard, Daddy’s Little Girls Guinea’s national companies, Les Destiny’s Child. As an actress she and Lifeless. “Music is the weapon” – Percussions de Guinea and Les Ballets reigned on the Broadway stage with Fela Kuti! POW! Africains. Currently residing in New York critically-praised performances in Aida, City, he teaches dance and sings with

P8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE his band, Ismael Kouyaté: Waraba Band. SHAWN ALYNDA Sophisticated Ladies (Irving St. Rep). TV: FISHER (Sandra MTV’s Made (Coach). Choreographed: GELAN LAMBERT Understudy, Jill Scott/Maxwell Tour, Alison Hinds (J .K . Braimah/Tap Ensemble). World Tour/Faluma-Makelele music Dancer/Egungun) Born in Wichita, video and worked with artists such as is of Haitian KS, Shawn moved Beyoncé, N*E*R*D* and Sean Paul. descent. Training: to NYC to study at www.allaboutkira.com. The Juilliard The Ailey School. School BFA in Upon completion, INDIA McGEE dance, New World she has performed both nationally and (Ensemble). India School of the Arts internationally. Recent credits include is the 2nd and Dancexchange Inc. Professional Bring It On: The Musical (Alliance youngest (third credits: Fela! (Broadway/Lagos, Theatre), STREB Extreme Action and oldest) child of Nigeria), The Martha Graham Dance work by Jacques Heims of Diavolo. Dr. Jerome & Company, Sean Curran Company, Fosse Shawn is honored and ecstatic to share Donna McGee (first national tour), A Christmas Carol her light and energy with the amazing Sr. Credits on (Theatre at Madison Square Garden), creative team, cast and crew of Fela! Broadway: City Center Encores’ Golden Boy, NYC She also holds a B.A. in Life Science/ Spider-man: Turn off the Dark . Company Opera’s Alcina/Turandot, and a featured Pre-Med from Kansas State University. Credits: Rejoice! Dance Company, performer for Jacob’s Pillow Katherine She thanks Jesus Christ, firstly and Karmography Bollywood Dance Dunham Tribute, conceived and foremost, and family and friends for Company. directed by Reginald Yates. Solo unwavering support. concerts: Jacob’s Pillow, Stella Adler ONEIKA Studio, Florida International Univ., City JASON HERBERT PHILLIPS (Sandra Center Studio, Long Island University (Ensemble), a New Understudy, and George Faison Firehouse Theater. York native, is Funmilayo Awards and honors: Martha Hill Prize thrilled to join the Understudy, from The Juilliard School, National national tour of Ensemble). Of Foundation for Advancement of Arts Fela! Training: Grenada, West –– First Place, Presidential Scholar for Boston Indies (BFA, the Arts, National Society of Arts and Conservatory, BBM); Earned Letters — First Place, and a Jerome Alvin Ailey School, international acclaim playing Anita in Foundation Fellow to Ghana, West Martha Graham School. TV/Film the 50th Anniversary Tour of West Side Africa. A principal artist and assistant to includes NBC’s Late Night with Conan Story, which was nominated for an Reginald Yates. Ayo! O’Brien, MTV’s Daddy’s Girls, Fox Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival Searchlight’s Lifted. Independent Film: (Director Joey McKneely); Tony Award- LAUREN DE Something Whispered . Companies: winning Fela! (Director Bill T. Jones), VEAUX Philadanco!, Ballet Noir, Forces of understudying Patti LaBelle/Lillias (Ensemble). Nature Dance Theater. He thanks his White (Broadway, Lagos, European and Broadway: loved ones and mentors for years of first national tours). Soloist, Forces of Original cast of love and support. Nature Dance Theatre (Director Abdel Fela! Chattanooga, Salaam). Brooklyn Council Outstanding TN, native. Citizen Recipient; Astaire Award Best Graduate of SHAKIRA Broadway Female Ensemble. Alabama School MARSHALL of Fine Arts, Howard University School (Ensemble, Swing). KAFI PIERRE of Engineering. Credits: Mama Kadiatou Training: SUNY (Ensemble, Swing). Conte, Ronald Brown, Abdel R. Salaam, Purchase (B.A.), Training: Alvin George Faison, Anna and Barry ESOTA. Theatre: Ailey. Broadway: VanCura, Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Original Broadway The Lion King Sutowski. Eternal love for her husband, cast member of (dance captain), family and friends for support. www. Fela! (Lagos, first Bombay Dreams ladeveaux.com national tour); Questlove’s Afropick’s (ensemble). U.S./ (background vocalist); Scandalous Canada/Europe People (my church production); Tours: Cirque du

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P9 Soleil’s Delirium (ensemble). Asia- & Texas, Summerstage. She is also a JILL MARIE Pacific/Australia/Mexico Tours: Dralion certified Pilates instructor with a VALLERY (lead role). Film/TV: MTV Productions’ background in business; graduated with (Ensemble, Dance Backyardigans, Sony Pictures’ Delirium. a B.S. in Economics from UPenn/ Captain, Assistant Founder: iCan Performing. Arts Wharton School and an M.B.A from to Tour Director/ Initiative. www.icanperform.com Duke/Fuqua. Thanks to family and Choreographer). friends for supporting my dreams. Original cast of MALAIYKA REID Fela! on/off- (Ensemble) ADÉ CHIKÉ Broadway. graduated from TORBERT (Swing) Graduate of the Brooklyn College from Brooklyn, Ailey School, became a National (B.S. in Finance N.Y., has Teaching Artist for Ailey Arts in and Business competed on So Education & Community. Dance: Management). You Think You Can Balance Dance Company, Opus Dance Theatre: Twist, Dance and Theatre, Prophecy Dance, ADTC. Film: directed/ performed on Lifted. She is thankful to all who have choreographed by Debbie Allen, Aida Dancing With The contributed to her journey and eternally (Chinese tour). TV: Madonna’s “Gimme Stars, Saturday Night Live and the grateful to her Ancestors and family. All Your Luvin” (Nicki Minaj’s body television show Smash. He's also had double). Training: The Ailey School, the opportunity of working with The FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI (Music/Lyrics). Creative Outlet. Peace and blessings to Blue Man Group, Jennifer Hudson, Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1938, the my friends and family. Honored to be Nicki Minaj and Natasha Bedingfield. scion of a family of social reformers, joining the Fela! family! Adé Chiké is excited to rejoin the cast of he was to become famous throughout Fela! Africa and the diaspora as a Firebrand, DANIEL SOTO Icon, Musician, Composer, Performer, (Ensemble). From UYOATA UDI and Troublemaker par excellence! Brooklyn, NY of (Ismael He used his music as a weapon, Hispanic descent. Understudy, condemning military regimes in Training: Jamel Ensemble, Swing) Nigeria for their mismanagement, and Ganies Creative is of Nigerian marginalization of the underprivileged. Outlet Dance descent and hails In return he was constantly harassed, Theater of from Los Angeles, arrested more than 200 times and Brooklyn, SUNY California. He beaten savagely on many occasions. Purchase Dance Conservatory. Has graduated from None of this slowed him down, studied with Shirley Black, Brown Alexander Hamilton High School and producing in excess of 70 albums of Cowrd, George Faison, Bill T. Jones and currently attends University of the Arts music during his career. Larger than many more. Soto is honored to be an in Philadelphia, PA, with a full life, he toured the United States and original Broadway cast member since scholarship. He has performed for Europe with an entourage of 80 people the very seed of the production and President Obama and the first lady at to tremendous public and critical blessed to carry the fire that Fela! the White House, as well as for the acclaim. Fela’s ardent fans include resonates today. governor of Nigeria. His primary musicians such as Paul McCartney, training began in Los Angeles with his Ginger Baker, The Chili Peppers, Brian Eno, David Byrne, James Brown, TRICIA M. TAITT mentor, Karen McDonald. He also Common, Mos’ Def, Talib Kweli, Erykah (Ensemble). A attended the Alonzo King Summer Badu and countless others. His sad Brooklyn, N.Y. Intensive and studied musical theatre at passing in August 1997 at the age of 58 native with origins U.S. Performing Arts in New York City. was mourned by the nation. In death he in Trinidad and He is thrilled to be an addition to the retained the legendary status by which Tobago, W.I. Fela! cast. he was proclaimed by the one million Companies: people who lined the streets of Lagos to Forces of Nature pay their last respects: ‘Abami Eda’ — Dance Theatre (Chief Priest). “He will live forever!” (Abdel Salaam), A.A.D.E (Baba Chuck Davis); African Rhythms. Theatre: Rewrites of Passage Women’s Ensemble Theatre (Co-founder), Dance Africa NY

P10 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE BILL T. JONES (Co-conception, of a Death Foretold (Tony and Drama Louvre Museum (Walking the Line). Director, Choreographer, Book Writer) Desk nominations) and Dangerous His Broadway credits include David is a 2010 Kennedy Center Honoree. Games (both with Graciela Daniele). Copperfield’s Dreams and Nightmares . He received a Tony Award in 2009 Off-Broadway and regional theatre Off-Broadway credits include New York for his choreography of Fela! and in credits include Tango Apaisionado, Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater, 2007 for his choreography of Spring Ionesco’s The Chairs and Ibsen’s Lady Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Awakening, as well as being the recipient from the Sea. Opera and dance credits Company and Playwrights Horizons. of the 2007 Obie Award and 2006 include Paul Dresher’s The Tyrant, Ballet Regional theatre credits include ACT Stage Directors and Choreographers Hispanico’s Nightclub, Philip Glass’ Les San Francisco, Chicago Shakespeare, Foundation Callaway Award for his Enfants Terribles and PastFORWARD Hartford Stage, Shakespeare Theatre choreography for Spring Awakening, (with Mikhail Baryshnikov). Dramaturgy (Washington, D.C.), Long Wharf the recipient of the 2007 USA Eileen credits include House Arrest (Anna Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Harris Norton Fellowship, the 2006 Deavere Smith), Drawn to Death (Art Theater and Mark Taper Forum. He Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Spiegelman), Cymbeline and Waste has collaborated with composer Philip Choreography for The Seven, the (with Bartlett Sher) and Lincoln Center’s Glass and with the opera companies of 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American WOZA AFRIKA Festival. Jim has served Paris (Garnier), Tokyo, San Francisco, Dance Festival Award for Lifetime as literary manager and dramaturge Seattle, Houston, Washington, Chicago Achievement, the prestigious 2005 at the Guthrie, The Second Stage and and New York. He is the recipient of Wexner Prize, and the Aaron Davis Hall INTAR Theaters, and was producing numerous awards including a Tony Harlem Renaissance Award. He is also director at The American Center in Paris nomination for Fela! and several Bessie a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient for its inaugural season. Previous work dance and performance awards for his in 1994, named one of America’s with Bill T. Jones includes Dream On collaborations with Bill T. Jones. Irreplaceable Dance Treasures by the Monkey Mountain, Chapel/Chapter and Dance Heritage Coalition in 2000, and Still/Here (20th anniversary season). ROBERT KAPLOWITZ (Sound Designer) was awarded The 2003 Dorothy and has had the privilege to write music Lillian Gish Prize for which recipients MARINA DRAGHICI (Scenic and and/or create sound designs for are considered trailblazers who have Costume Designer) won the 2010 Tony hundreds of plays, and is flattered to redefined their art and reshaped the Award for Best Costume Design for have been honored with both a Tony cultural landscape. He began his dance Fela!, as well as a nomination for Best Award for Fela! and an Obie Award for training at the State University of New Scenic Design. Prior to Fela!, Marina Sustained Excellence. Selected credits York at Binghamton (SUNY), where collaborated with Bill T. Jones on Dream include John Beluso’s The Poor Itch, he studied classical ballet and modern on a Monkey Mountain at the Guthrie Lemon Anderson’s County Of Kings, and dance. After living in Amsterdam, Mr. Theater and 24 Images Secondes at Neil LaBute’s Wrecks at The Joseph Papp Jones returned to SUNY, where he Lyons Opéra. Her work has been seen Public Theatre; The Art Spiegelman/ became co-founder of the American at the Paris National Opera, Zurich Pilobolus collaboration Hapless Dance Asylum in 1973. Before forming Opera, Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, Hooligan; David Adjmi’s Stunning Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Opéra de Nice, NYCO, Edinburgh (Lincoln Center 3); Kia Corthron’s Light, in 1982, Mr. Jones choreographed and Festival, Glimmerglass Opera, National Raise the Roof (NYTW); Abbey Spallin’s performed nationally and internationally Theatre of Prague, Public Theater, Pumpgirl (MTC), Chloe Moss’s This as a soloist and duet company with his Manhattan Theatre Club and Lincoln Wide Night (Naked Angels); and Adam late partner, Arnie Zane. Center, among many other venues in Bock’s The Thugs (SoHo Rep) and A the U.S. and abroad. Awards include Small Fire (Playwrights Horizons), JIM LEWIS (Book, Co-conception, Tony, Lucille Lortel, Obie, and numerous plus designs for 2nd Stage, LAByrinth, Additional Lyrics). Jim Lewis is proud to nominations. Film and TV work includes MCC, Primary Stages, The Vineyard, have received a nomination for the 2011 Precious, Rage, The Grey Zone, Heights, Sundance, PlayPenn, the O’Neill Olivier Awards for best new musical Twelve and Holding, S .O .P ., The Cake Playwrights Center, and others. He is for this production of Fela! Previously, Eaters, Homeland, Elementary, Dexter also married to a former John Deere he received a Tony nomination for best and Blue Bloods . catalog model whom he loves, along book for a musical for the Broadway with his son Niall, more than any work version. In 2008 he received the Lucille ROBERT WIERZEL (Lighting Designer) he’s ever done. Lortel award for outstanding musical for has collaborated with Bill T. Jones and Fela! and two Drama Desk nominations the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance PETER NIGRINI (Projection Designer). for best book for Fela! and This Beautiful Company for more than 26 years, Peter Nigrini has designed projection City (with The Civilians). Selected including work at the Lyon Opera on Broadway for Fela!, 9 to 5: The works on Broadway include Chronicle Ballet, Berlin Opera Ballet and The Musical and Say Goodnight Gracie .

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P11 Other designs include Grace Jones MAIJA GARCIA (Tour Director and Roof starring Topol, and the Las Vegas Hurricane Tour, Der Ferne Klang (Bard Choreographer). Garcia worked alongside production of The Producers starring Summerscape); Haroun and the Sea Bill T. Jones as associate choreographer David Hasselhoff and Tony Danza. of Stories (City Opera); Blind Date to develop the Tony Award-winning Bill most recently worked with the (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance); The musical off-Broadway, on Broadway, at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ, Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (2nd the National Theatre of London and as production supervisor, answering Stage Theatre); Fetch Clay, Make Man in Lagos, Nigeria. Founder/director the call to help fix the devastating (McCarter Theater Center); The Orphan of Organic Magnetics, a theatre arts effects Hurricane Sandy brought to of Zhao (Lincoln Center Festival); Sweet organization, Garcia produces live multi- the South Jersey Coast. Bill is a proud Bird of Youth (Williamstown); Dido and media installations using sustainable member of AEA. Aeneas (Handel Haydn Society); and Biro innovation to create transformative (the Public Theater). For Nature Theater experiences. Garcia’s collaborations JOHN LOWE (Stage Manager). of Oklahoma: No Dice (2008 Obie include a tribute to Fats Waller with Production and general manager, Award); Romeo and Juliet (Salzburger Jason Moran and Meshell N’degeocello director and producer on over 85 Festspiele); and Life and Times, Episode at Harlem Stage, Seun Kuti’s music productions throughout the world. 1 and 2 (Burgtheater, Vienna), among video “RISE,” Angelique Kidjo’s “Move Broadway: No No Nanette!, Pippin and others. Upcoming projects include RENT on Up,” Not Wanted On The Voyage at Sweet Bird of Youth. Favorite tours: (off-Broadway),Here Lies Love (the Public Northwestern, and Neighbors at The Irene, Torch Song Trilogy, Broadway Bound, Theater) and Becoming Helen Keller (PBS Public Theater. Organic Magnetics Aida, Evita, Sophisticated Ladies and American Masters). Peter is a graduate productions include YaYa Dreams a Ragtime. He served as Vice-President/ of Central Saint Martins’ scenography Future and Ghosts of Manhattan. www. General Manager of Production at Radio course. organicmagnetics.com City Music Hall. He was production manager for the inaugural year aboard COOKIE JORDAN (Wigs, Hair and JORDAN McLEAN (Musical Norwegian EPIC. Make-up Designer). Cookie Jordan’s Arrangements). A composer, band Broadway credits include Lombardi, Fela!, leader, trumpeter and music educator, AMANDA KOSACK (Assistant Stage Miracle Worker, A View from the Bridge McLean has performed on stages and Manager). Off-Broadway:Medieval Play, and South Pacific . Off-Broadway credits in recording studios around the globe The Lady From Dubuque (Signature include Neighbors (Public Theater). and collaborated with a multitude Theatre), In Transit (Primary Stages). Regional theatre includes Little Shop of of musicians, ensembles and arts NYC: Roman Tragedies (BAM), Horrors (Ford’s Theater), national tour organizations. Charter member of Foreverman (NYMF). Regional: Surflight and international tours of Disney’s High Antibalas. McLean currently leads his Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. School Musical, and a national tour of “Play Anywhere Chamber Ensemble” Television: Jimmy Kimmel Live in Dirty Dancing . piano music & song trio, and is a Brooklyn. Oklahoma City University founding partner of Sound Chemistry graduate. Love to Mom & Dad. AARON JOHNSON (Music Direction Records. Graduate of SUNY Purchase. & Coordinator/Orchestrations/ ARNOLD J. MUNGIOLI, CSA (U .S . Arrangements). Aaron Johnson was WILL BRANDSTETTER (Company Casting). Arnold J. Mungioli is president born in Iowa City and raised on Long Manager). Tours: MythBusters: Behind and founder of Mungioli Theatricals, Island. He began studying music at the Myths, Mannheim Steamroller, Inc. Current credits include Super Fly, the Mannes Prep programme in New Lord of the Dance . NYC: York Theatre, Bill T. Jones’s upcoming Broadway York and continued at The New School, NAMT New Works Festival. Regional: musical; Francesca Zambello’s Little where he now teaches. He has become Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Marriott House on the Prairie starring Melissa an in demand trombonist, arranger and Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Gilbert. Recent TV and film includes composer on the New York music scene, PlayhouseSquare, Cincinnati Opera, Nickelodeon and The Entertainer (E!). and has recorded and performed with Cincinnati Ballet. Graduate of the Broadway and national tours include such artists as Paul Simon, Medeski, Conservatory of Music at Baldwin- Ragtime, Fosse, Show Boat, Candide, Martin and Wood, TV on the Radio, Wallace University. Para mi padre. Sunset Boulevard, Kiss of the Spiderwoman The Roots, Wu-Tang-Clan, Angelique and Joseph . . with Donny Osmond. Kidjo and Femi Kuti. He joined the band WILLIAM GILINSKY (Production Stage Off-Broadway includes Jewtopia, Evil Antibalas in 2000 and began conducting Manager). Broadway, off-Broadway, Dead The Musical, and Richard Maltby’s them in 2001. He was nominated for regional, international and over 35 Closer Than Ever and The Sixties Project . both Drama Desk and Tony Awards for national tours. Favorites include the For Disney, credits include High School his work on Fela! national tour of August: Osage County Musical, The Lion King, Aladdin and When starring Estelle Parsons, Fiddler on the You Wish. Regional theatre includes

P12 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE Trinity Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, SHAWN “JAY-Z” CARTER (Producer). first season. Recent films in which Jada Cleveland Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO Since 1996, 14-time Grammy award has acted include Madagascar: Escape and North Shore Music Theatre. Arnold winner, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has 2 Africa (as the voice of Gloria), The is a member of the Casting Society of dominated the evolution of hip-hop. Women, Reign Over Me, Matrix Reloaded America and has been honored with two Between multiple businesses and and Matrix Revolutions. Jada wrote and Artios awards and the CSA Media Access accolades spanning the recording directed The Human Contract and served award. www.mungiolitheatricals.com industry to global investment leaders as executive producer of The Secret Life such as Warren Buffet, JAY-Z personifies of Bees. Jada’s 2005 children’s book, RICHARD KORNBERG & ASSOCIATES the “American Dream.” The Founder “Girls Hold up this World,” was a New (General Press Representative) represents and Chairman of Rocawear is a co- York Times bestseller. New York Theatre Workshop, Canada’s owner of the Brooklyn Nets, 40/40 Shakespeare Festival, Rattlestick sportsclubs and has a major interest RUTH (Producer) AND STEPHEN Playwrights Theater, Berkshire Theatre in Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well HENDEL (Co-conceiver and Producer). Festival, Transport Group, Pace being involved in a partnership with Ruth’s Selected Broadway credits: Cat University’s Michael Schimmel Center the Iconix Brand Group. JAY-Z served on a Hot Tin Roof, Death of a Salesman for the Arts, The Joyce Theater and as President and CEO of Def Jam (Tony), Clybourne Park (Tony), Fela! MOMIX. Decades of Broadway credits Recordings, where he fostered the (with Stephen), American Idiot (with include: Rent, Hairspray, Fela!, Dirty careers of international stars Rihanna, Stephen), Red (Tony), A Raisin in the Blonde, I Am My Own Wife, Death of a Ne-Yo and Kanye West before entering Sun, Metamorphoses . Selected Off- Salesman . into a partnership with Live Nation, Broadway credits: My Name is Asher Lev forming the entertainment company (currently), Altar Boyz, The Exonerated . PAUL M. RAMBACHER (Production Roc Nation. With his collaborative effort Regional: Immediate Family (Chicago). General Manager) has represented in with Kanye West, Watch the Throne, Ruth’s affiliations: LAByrinth Theater, excess of 120 productions for over 25 his 12th #1 album, he has secured the Play Company, YSD, Eugene O’Neill years. Specializing in national tours, record for most #1 albums by any solo Theater Center (Vice-chair). Stephen’s some of his credits include A Chorus Line artist. JAY-Z continues his philanthropic affiliations: New Group, St. Anne’s directed by Baayork Lee, Merchant of work through his Water For Life initiative Warehouse, Culture Project, New Venice starring F. Murray Abraham, Dirty and the Shawn Carter Scholarship York Live Arts, Afropop.org, Museum Rotten Scoundrels, Love Janis, Nobody Foundation. for African Art, YSM, Eugene O’Neill Don’t Like Yogi starring Ben Gazzara, Theater Center (treasurer). Love to our International Shakespeare’s Globe’s WILL SMITH (Producer). A two-time family. original practice productions with Academy Award nominee, Will Smith Mark Rylance, Elaine Stritch At Liberty, has enjoyed unprecedented success in AHMIR “QUESTLOVE” THOMPSON Savion Glover’s productions of Classical a career encompassing films, television (Producer) Acclaimed drummer, DJ, Savion, Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da and multiplatinum records. For his producer, culinary entrepreneur and Funk and Footnotes, Richard Little in The memorable portrayal of Muhammad Ali member of the The Roots, Ahmir Presidents, Julie Harris in The Belle of in Michael Mann’s Ali, he received his “Questlove” Thompson, is making Amherst, Tap Dogs, Copenhagen, and the first Academy Award nomination, which his way into the culinary world with 1996 Atlanta Olympic games. was followed by his second nomination “Quest Loves Food” and his signature for the true-life drama, The Pursuit of “Love’s Drumstick.” Questlove is the CAMI SPECTRUM/COLUMBIA Happyness . Films in which Smith has unmistakable heartbeat of The Roots, ARTISTS THEATRICALS (Exclusive Tour acted include I Am Legend; Hancock; I, Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop Representation), under the direction Robot; Independence Day; Men in Black; band. This Grammy Award-winning of Margaret Selby and Gary McAvay, and Men in Black II . Films in which musician’s indisputable reputation has are collaborating on Fela!, the first Smith has acted and also produced landed him musical directing positions international tour to be presented along with partner James Lassiter at with everyone from D’Angelo to Eminem on three continents with its original Overbrook Entertainment include Hitch, to JAY-Z. He is the musical director for Broadway star. Fela! began the North ATL, The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where his American leg of its tour in September Pounds and The Human Contract . beloved Roots crew serves as house 2011, following critically acclaimed band. “Quest Loves Food” begins its sold-out runs in London, Lagos, Nigeria JADA PINKETT SMITH (Producer) culinary quest with off-premise curating, and Amsterdam. For more information recently starred as Christina Hawthorne featuring Creole and Korean inspired about this production, as well as other in TNT’s medical drama HawthoRNe . soul food with a focus on locally sourced CAMI Spectrum and Columbia Artist The show, which she executive produced ingredients and “on-a-stick” decadence, Theatricals attractions, visit our website through her production company, 100% for high-profile exclusive events. at www.cami.com Women, garnered critical acclaim for its

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P13 EDWARD TYLER NAHEM (Producer) Jackson and Leap of Faith. He has DOUGLAS C. has been a New York-based produced 30 world premieres including BAKER (Producing international art dealer for over 25 years. the musicals Minsky’s, Venice and Director) is now in For as many years Nahem has been Sleeping Beauty Wakes, and the plays his 23rd season at pulled toward the irresistible music of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (a CTG. Previously, he West Africa. He is Executive Producer Pulitzer Prize finalist that also moved managed Broadway on the award-winning eponymous to Broadway), Water & Power and and touring documentary Youssou NDour: I Bring Yellow Face, and he presented a broad productions What I Love, about the Senegalese range of plays and musicals ranging including Tru, Born Yesterday, The Gospel singer and activist. Since day one, from Dead End to The Black Rider to at Colonus, Annie, A Chorus Line, he continues to be “stupefied and Edward Scissorhands to blockbusters Working, The Wiz and Legends! starring mesmerized” by the electrifying power such as God of Carnage, Mary Poppins, Mary Martin and Carol Channing which of Fela! It is impossible to keep him out Jersey Boys and August: Osage County. premiered at the Ahmanson Theatre in of the theater or in his seat. In addition, Michael inaugurated 1986. Baker is a graduate of Albion CTG’s New Play Production Program, College, is an active member of the ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION designed to foster the development and Broadway League, the Independent Founded in 1913, represents more than production of new work. Presenters Network and is a proud 45,000 actors and stage managers member of the Association of Theatrical in the United States. Equity seeks to EDWARD L. Press Agents and Managers. advance, promote, and foster the art of RADA (Managing live theatre as an essential component Director) returned GORDON of our society. Equity negotiates wages to Center Theatre DAVIDSON and working conditions, providing a Group in 2011 (Founding Artistic wide range of benefits, including health after previously Director) led the and pension plans. AEA is a member serving as CTG’s Taper throughout of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with Chief Financial its first 38 seasons, FIA, an international organization of Officer for 12 guiding over 300 performing arts unions. The Equity years (1996 – 2008). Rada spent three productions to its emblem is our mark of excellence. years (2008 – 2011) as President of the stage and winning countless awards www.actorsequity.org Music Center Foundation, a non-profit for himself and the theatre — including corporation that holds and invests the the Tony Award for theatrical excellence, endowment and reserve funds for the Margo Jones Award, The Governor’s FOR CENTER THEATRE GROUP Music Center and its resident Award for the Arts and a Guggenheim companies (including CTG). Prior to his fellowship. The Kentucky Cycle and years at CTG, he was the Director of Angels in America (Part One) won the MICHAEL Finance at The Old Globe in San Diego Pulitzer in consecutive years and, in RITCHIE (Artistic and principal of Rada & Associates, an 1994, three of the four plays nominated Director) is in his accounting firm that specialized in for the Tony Award for Best Play were eighth season as entertainment-related non-profit from the Taper (Angels in America Center Theatre organizations and theatrical won). In 1989 Gordon took over the Group’s Artistic productions. He is a graduate of Ahmanson and, in 2004, he produced Director, and has Occidental College in Los Angeles with the inaugural season in the Kirk Douglas led over 100 numerous post-graduate coursework Theatre. productions to the and credentials. He currently serves on Ahmanson, Taper and Douglas stages the board of directors for Entertainment since his arrival in 2005. From 1996 to Industry Foundation, Theatre @ Boston 2004 Michael was the Producer of the Court, and United Support of Artists for Williamstown Theatre Festival and prior Africa/USA for Africa, among other to that he was a Production Stage affiliations. He also serves on the board Manager in NYC. At CTG, he premiered of trustees for the pension, health and six musicals that moved to Broadway— welfare and 401(k) plans of I.A.T.S.E. The Drowsy Chaperone (which won 13 Local 33 Stagehands Union. Tony Award nominations), Curtains (eight Tony nominations) 13, 9 to 5: The Musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew

P14 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE ADDITIONAL STAFF and credits FOR fela!

TOUR GENERAL MANAGEMENT CREDITS The Actors and Stage Managers PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT & RESOURCES Scenery constructed by Hudson Scenic. Lighting employed in this production are Paul M. Rambacher equipment from Christie Lites. Sound and projection members of Actors’ Equity Association, equiptment from Sound Associates. Costumes the union of professional actors and CORPORATION GENERAL MANAGEMENT constructed by Tricorne, John Scheeman Studios, stage managers in the United States. ROY GABAY THEATRICAL PRODUCTION Izquierdo Studios, Jennifer Love Costumes, Monica AND MANAGEMENT Vianni Custom Millinery. Makeup Provided By M·A·C. The following employees are represented Roy Gabay, Chris Aniello, Daniel Kuney, Mandy Tate, Trucking by Janco Ltd. Housing and travel coordinated by the International Alliance of Theatrical Mark Gagliardi, Sophie Aung by Road Rebel. Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Operators, Artists and Allied COMPANY MANAGER MUSIC RIGHTS Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, WILL BRANDSTETTER “I Got the Feeling” by James Brown AFL-CIO, CLC: Stage Crew Local 33; Local Treasurers Assistant Company Manager – Kelsey Harro By arrangement with Fort Knox Music Inc. and Ticket Sellers Local 857; Wardrobe Crew Local c/o Carlin America Inc. (BMI) 768; Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Local 706. EXCLUSIVE TOUR REPRESENTATION MARGARET SELBY, CAMI SPECTRUM “Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie, United Scenic Artists represents the GARY McAVAY, COLUMBIA ARTISTS THEATRICALS Walter Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo designers and scenic painters for the For more information about booking this production By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. American Theatre. contact [email protected] or Gary McAvay at o/b/o Twenty-Eighth Street Music (ASCAP) and [email protected] with Music Sales Corporation (ASCAP) The Musicians employed in this “Medzi Medzi” by E.T. Mensah production are members of the GENERAL PRESS REPRESENTATIVE By arrangement with RetroAfric Music (PRS) American Federation of Musicians RICHARD KORNBERG & ASSOCIATES of the United States and Canada. Richard Kornberg, Don Summa, “Mr. Syms” by John Coltrane Billy Zavelson, Danielle McGarry By arrangement with Jowcol Music (BMI) The Director/Choreographer is a “Nice ‘N Easy” member of the Stage Directors and U.S. casting by MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Lew Spence Choreographers Society, an Arnold J. Mungioli, CSA By arrangement with Spirit Two Music, Inc. independent national labor union. o/b/o Lew Spence Music (ASCAP) and with MARKETING AND ADVERTISING Threesome Music Company (ASCAP) The Press Agents, Company and House ELLEN M. JACOBS Managers employed in this production Frank Sinatra video clip from The Edsel Show (1957) Roy Rosenthal are represented by the Association of Produced by CBS Television Network Adero Zaire-Green, Ogugua Iwelu, Joao Brandao, Jr. Theatrical Press Agents & Managers. SPECIAL THANKS PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER . . William Gilinsky This production is Heartfelt thanks to the Kuti family, especially Yeni, Stage Manager ...... John Lowe produced by a member Femi and Seun, and to Sandra Isadore for their Assistant Stage Manager ...... Amanda Kosack of The Broadway League guidance and support. Tour Director/ Choreographer . . . . Maija Garcia in collaboration with our Assistants to Tour Director/Choreographer . . . . professional union–represented employees. Dawn Robinson, Jill Marie Vallery The Producers gratefully acknowledge Carlos Moore’s valuable work Fela: This Bitch of a Associate Set Designers . . . Timothy R Mackabee Center Theatre Group is a member of the American Life for the inspiration and understanding that it Associate Costume Designer ...... Amy Clark Arts Alliance, the Broadway League, Independent provided for the development of Fela! Assistant Lighting Designer . . G. Benjamin Swope Producers’ Network (IPN), LA Stage Alliance, League Lighting Programmer ...... Marc Polimeni of Resident Theatres (LORT), National Alliance The Producers also gratefully acknowledge Trevor Original Mural and Scenic Art . . .IRLO, Omar and for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and the Theatre Schoonmaker’s Fela: From West Africa to West Nuclear Fairy Communications Group (TCG). Associate Sound Designer ...... Jessica Paz Broadway and Black President: The Art and Legacy Assistant Sound Designer . . .John Emmett O’Brien of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti for inspiration and Associate Projection Designer, Content . C. Andrew understanding of the life and times of Fela Kuti. Bauer Associate Projection Designer, System . .Dan Scully Liquid Light Projection Footage . . Rainbow Puddle Website Additional Content and Editing ...... Mirit Tal CenterTheatreGroup.org Production Manager/Production Carpenter . . . . . #FELA Randy Moreland Like us on Facebook Center Theatre Group Assistant Carpenter ...... Marc Mannoni Follow us on Twitter @CTGLA Production Electricians Dustin Adams, Pat Johnston Subscribe on YouTube CTGLA Head Electrician ...... Steve LaPlante Assistant Electrician, follow spot . . .Ken Weinberg Assistant Electrician, video . . . . . Eric Christian Production Props ...... Gardner Friscia Head Props ...... Greg Tassinaro Head Sound ...... Wes Shaffer Assistant Sound ...... Rhys Dawson Head Wardrobe ...... Andrea Matura Assistant Wardrobe ...... Mara Moreland Head Hair and Makeup . Kirk Cambridge-Delpesche Physical Therapy ...... NEUROTOUR Physical Therapy, Inc. Physical Therapist . . . . Ashton Leigh Jones, DPT Casting Associate . . Alex Hanna, Melanie Lockyer Legal . .Susan Mindell, Levine, Plotkin & Menin LLP Immigration Attorney ...... Andrea Floyd Accounting . . . . Fried & Kowgios Partners, LLP/ Robert Fried, Sarah Galbraith Tour Accountant ...... Joseph Polack Payroll ...... Castellana Services, Inc. Insurance . Robertson Taylor International Insurance Brokers/Linda Galimulla Consultant to the Production ...... Rikki Stein

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P15 Center Theatre Group L.A.’s Theatre Company Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director EDWARD L. RADA, Managing Director Douglas c. baker, Producing Director

ARTISTIC NEEL KELLER ...... Associate Artistic Director JODY HORWITZ ...... Director of Human Resources KELLEY KIRKPATRICK ...... Associate Artistic Director MADRIO FLEEKS ...... Interim Senior Human Resources Generalist DIANE RODRIGUEZ ...... Associate Producer/Director of New Play Production JENNIFER ACHTERBERG ...... Facilities Manager PIER CARLO TALENTI ...... Resident Dramaturg/Literary Manager SINGER LEWAK, LLP ...... Auditor LINDSAY ALLBAUGH ...... Producing Associate MICHAEL C. DONALDSON, LISA A. CALLIF ...... Legal Counsel Malcolm K. Darrell ...... New Play Production Associate GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER ...... Legal Counsel Joy meads ...... Literary Associate ERIKA SELLIN ...... Director of Casting DEVELOPMENT mark b. simon ...... Casting Director YVONNE CARLSON BELL ...... Director of Development andy crocker ...... Casting Associate PATRICK OWEN ...... Deputy Director of Development kEvin L. cordova ...... Casting Administrator NATALIE BERGESON ...... Director of Donor Contributions JEAN KLING ...... Director of Institutional Support DAVID ADJMI (FADIMAN), TANYA BARFIELD, BURGLARS OF HAMM, JUSTIN ELLINGTON, LIZ LIN ...... Director of Corporate Relations and Communications STEVEN EPP, GINA GIONFRIDDO, SAM GOLD, JOE HORTUA, NICK JONES, RAJIV JOSEPH, CHARITY WU ...... Director of Individual Giving DAVE MALLOY, LAURAL MEADE, JULIE MARIE MYATT (FADIMAN), DAN O’BRIEN, BECKY BIRDSONG ...... Major Gifts Officer EVANGELINE ORDAZ, DAEL ORLANDERSMITH, WILL POWER (FADIMAN), matt sax, SANDRA Ebejer ...... Corporate Relations Officer DOMINIQUE SERRAND, UNIVERSES ...... Commissioned Artists jAMIE CATALDO ...... Corporate Relations Manager MANDi OR ...... Special Events Manager Zakiyyah Alexander, Sheila Callaghan, Jonathan Ceniceroz, jennifer ryen ...... Major Gifts Manager Matt Gould, Griffin Matthews, Meg Miroshnik, Eric Brown ...... Communications Coordinator Tanya Saracho, John Sinner ...... CTG Writers’ Workshop Members jennifer chan ...... Development Assistant KATY HILTON ...... Grant Writer EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Donald Jolly ...... Donor Relations Associate for the Inner Circle LESLIE K. JOHNSON ...... Director of Education and Community Partnerships RICK LEE ...... Donor Contributions Supervisor DEBRA PIVER ...... Associate Director of Education and Community Partnerships Kristen Levy-Vaughan ...... Individual Giving Assistant TRACI CHO ...... Director of School Partnerships ERIC SEPPALA ...... Executive Assistant to the Development Director PATRICIA GARZA ...... Senior Manager for Education and Community Partnership maria paredes ...... Donor Relations Associate for The Guild CAMILLE SCHENKKAN ...... Educational Programs Manager COURTNEY ROBERTSON ...... Institutional Giving Associate DAN Harper ...... Educational Programs Associate ERIN SCHLABACH ...... Donor Contributions Associate ASHLEY OPSTAD ...... Educational Programs Associate ELIZABETH WACHTEL ...... Major Gifts Associate Kelly CHRIST ...... Educational Communications Coordinator VICTOR VAZQUEZ ...... Educational Services Coordinator AL BERMAN, ELIZABETH DELLORUSSO, GINA EAST, lili herrera, TONY LEWELLEN, SHANNON WINSTON . Assistant to the Director of Education and Community Partnerships jessica nash, HOLLY RAMOS, NICOLE SCIPIONE, lena thomas, BILL WALTON, REHA ZAMANI ...... Donor Advisors MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ADAM BURCH, Karla Galvez ...... Donor Services Associates Nausica Stergiou . . . . . General Manager (Mark Taper Forum, Kirk Douglas Theatre) ANNE BRUNER, Murray E. Heltzer, marci miller, JEFFREY UPAH ...... General Manager (Ahmanson Theatre) julie nadal ...... Development Volunteers SUZANNE HEE MAYBERRY ...... Assistant General Manager (Mark Taper Forum) KATIE BRUNER SOFF Assistant General Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre, New Play Production) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Alana beidelman ...... Executive Assistant to Managing Director JIM ROYCE ...... Director of Marketing, Communications and Sales LIZ LYDIC ...... Assistant to Producing Director SHANE HUDSON ...... Yale Management Fellow NANCY HEREFORD ...... Director of Media and Communications PHYLLIS MOBERLY ...... Media and Communications Associate ERIC SIMS ...... Operations Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) JASON MARTIN ...... Media and Communications Associate TOM BURMESTER ...... Performance Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) shannon smith ...... Media and Communications Assistant LAUREN BAXA ...... Assistant Performance Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) LYN COWAN ...... Media and Communications Assistant MIKE KINDLE ...... Facilities Assistant (Kirk Douglas Theatre) Sondra Mayer ...... Concessions Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) CHRISTOPHER KOMURO ...... Art Director IRENE KANESHIRO, nishita doshi ...... Senior Designers PRODUCTION Haruka hayakawa ...... Graphic Designer TERESA ENGLISH ...... Junior Graphic Designer SHAWN ANDERSON ...... Master Carpenter (Ahmanson Theatre) ANDREW W. ARNOLD ...... Flyman (Ahmanson Theatre) ANDREW DARCEY ...... Advertising Manager JIM BERGER ...... Master Electrician (Ahmanson Theatre) JIM HALLORAN ...... Marketing Associate, Creative STAN STEELMON ...... Master Propertyman (Ahmanson Theatre) JEWEL MOORE ...... Marketing Coordinator ROBERT SMITH ...... Master Soundman (Ahmanson Theatre) ROSE POIRIER ...... Webmaster MICHAEL GARDNER ...... Wardrobe Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre) KAREN VOCK ...... Marketing Manager PATRICE MIRANDA ...... Hair Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre) CRAIG SCHWARTZ ...... Production Photographer CHRISTINE L. COX ...... House Manager (Ahmanson Theatre) LARRY DEAN HARRIS ...... Copywriter CINEVATIVE/MARK CIGLAR ...... Production Video JOE HAMLIN ...... Technical Director TOM BURMESTER, TREVOR ALGATT, KEVIN MAPP ...... Event Video CHAD SMITH ...... Assistant Technical Director ALLIED LIVE: LAURA MATALON, LESLEY-ANNE STONE, SAM CRAVEN-GRIFFITHS ...... Assistant Technical Director KELLY ESTRELLA ...... Advertising Agency SARAH SOWELL ...... Shop Foreperson LINDA STWEART, IT IS DONE COMMUNICATIONS ...... Public Relations Consultant DAWN HOLISKI ...... Shop Director TICKET SALES AND SERVICES ANDREW THIELS ...... Prop Manager SHAWN ROBERTSON ...... Ticket Sales Director MERRIANNE NEDREBERG ...... Prop Lead SKYPP CABANAS ...... Ticket Operations Coordinator SARAH KRAININ ...... Prop Shopper SANDY CZUBIAK ...... Audience and Subscriber Services Manager CANDICE CAIN ...... Costume Shop Director JENNIFER BAKER, CHERYL HAWKER, RICHARD RAGSDALE . Audience Services Supervisors BRENT M. BRUIN ...... Workroom Supervisor ALICE CHEN ...... Audience Services Asst. Supervisor MADELINE KELLER ...... Costume Generalist SAM AARON, DEBORAH REED ...... Audience Services Sales Associates SWANTJE TUOHINO ...... Cutter/Tailor ELIZABETH LEONARD ...... Production Operations Manager jeremie arencibia, VICKI BERNDT, RJ CANTU, CARLOS D. CHAVEZ, JR., JULIO A. CUELLAR ...... Driver/Custodian PETER COLBURN, HESPER COLOHAN, DONALD CRANDALL, GARY HOLLAND, EUGENE A. MONTEIRO II, BRIAN SLATEN ...... Drivers KAY LOCHARD, JUSTINE PEREZ, LEX SAVKO, DANNY SCHMITZ, ELLE AGHABALA ...... Interim Production Administrator CRIS SPACCA, TRAVIS WOOD ...... Audience Services Representatives JONATHAN BARLOW LEE ...... Production Manager (Mark Taper Forum) DANUTA SIEMAK ...... Subscriber Services Supervisor CELESTE SANTAMASSINO ...... Associate Production Manager (Mark Taper Forum) CHRISTINA GUTIERREZ ...... Subscriber Services Asst. Supervisor emmet kaiser ...... Master Carpenter (Mark Taper Forum) LIGIA PISTE, CELIA RIVAS ...... Subscriber Services Senior Representatives ROBERT RUBY ...... Master Propertyman (Mark Taper Forum) irene chuang, peter staloch ...... Subscriber Services Representatives WILLIAM MORNER ...... Master Electrician (Mark Taper Forum) BONES MALONE ...... Master Soundman (Mark Taper Forum) SARAH K. GONTA ...... Box Office Treasurer DENNIS SEETOO ...... Wardrobe Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum) KISHISA ROSS, GISELE FRAZEUR ...... Assistant Treasurers RICK GEYER ...... Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum) YULIZA BARRAZA, ANGELICA Carbajal, michael kempisty, LINDA WALKER ...... House Manager (Mark Taper Forum) LEROY PAWLOWSKI, MICHAEL SALTZMAN, ...... Box Office Staff CHRISTY WEIKEL ...... Production Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) MICHAEL ZOLDESSY ...... Account Sales Manager KATE COLTUN ...... Assistant Production Manager (Kirk Douglas Theatre) EILEEN ROBERTS ...... Account Sales Associate RICHARD PETERSON ...... Master Electrician (Kirk Douglas Theatre) KERRY KORF ...... Priority Services Director ADAM PHALEN ...... Head Audio (Kirk Douglas Theatre) SUSAN F. TULLER ...... Priority Services Operations Manager JAY BURNS ...... Priority Services Sales Manager FINANCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND HUMAN RESOURCES paul cuen ...... Priority Services Manager MICHAEL F. THOMPSON ...... Chief Financial Officer MELODY MATTOS ...... Controller Carole Baxter, Rusty collins, SUZANNE “MAGGIE” DODD, Marc “Byron” JANIS BOWBEER ...... Assistant Controller Drotman, SAMANTHA ELSE, Lou George, KATE HALL, Jerry Johnston, LISA FELICISIMA LAPID ...... Accounts Payable Supervisor KESSLER, SHEP KOSTER, ELENA MUSLAR, brian “william” pachinger, MATT PELFREY, DANNY LAMPSON ...... Senior Staff Accountant EDWARD “MAX” RAZOR, JASMINE REGALA, Ken Salley, BOBBI LYNNE SCOTT, Michael ALEGRIA SENA ...... Staff Accountant Smith, jeffrey stubblefield, quinn sullivan, KATHRYN TABB, CANDICE wALTERS, yuen ki “annie” Law ...... Payroll Manager DIANE WARD, JIM WATERMAN ...... Representatives AMEETA SHARMA ...... Payroll Specialist INTERNS DAVE ALTON ...... Chief Information Officer NANCY AVILA, AMY BUCHWALD, KELSEY CRAMPTON, CHRISTINE CROWLEY, AGNES STAN GRUSHESKY ...... Director of Information Systems INGRAM, MITZI MILLINER, OLIVER SAKS, STEPHANIE SEMERENKO, LESLIE STELLWAGEN, SEAN PINTO ...... Database And Web Manager BRIAN TANKSLEY, MARISOL TORRES, EMILY VALLA, DEVON ZEREBKO MANDY RATLIFF ...... Tessitura Administrator JARED WATANABE ...... Information Systems Analyst

Center Theatre Group would like to thank its exceptional staff for their ongoing commitment, dedication and extraordinary efforts. P16 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE