Fela! the musical, by Bill T Jones
Hmmm. Might just have to book a trip to NY just for this. Starts Sep 4th for two and a half weeks, off-Broadway. In the interview, BTJ says:
“To look at Nigeria,” he said, “is to talk about the disappointment of the post-colonial era around the world. To look at Nigeria is to look at many, many of the problems that face us everywhere: population, disease, corruption, the erosion of what we call progressive values. A petri dish of sorts. A very rich place to start asking the question where we’re at.” He paused for a moment, then added: “It’s good music, as well.”
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6 comments:
I'm actually scheduled to go for this in a couple weeks! Will blog my review!
omo, this one must not pass me this time o
I'm so there
I am waiting to get feedback from some friends who are going to see it (I don't live in NYC). However, i am a little curious at the fact that i didn't spot one Naija name among the cast or creative crew...even as a cultural/dance consultant (Yeni Kuti for example could have contributed in tersm fo choreography, surely?).
I guess i'm just concerned that a man whose life and music was dedicated to very serious struggles might have his legacy become nothing more than a commercial song-and-dance show, interpreted by people who have no emotional or cultural connection to the people or issues he fought for.
Again, just my 2 kobo. I hope my fears are unfounded.
Hey, your readers can score $25 tickets if they visit http://www.felaoffbroadway.com/socnet-01.html and use code SOCIAL1.
Enjoy the show!
To Msmak,
your fears are definitely unfounded. This is Bill T. Jones we are talking about!! and there is nothing commercial or song-and-dance about his work.
Moreover, there is nothing to say taht people who are emotionally or culturally connected to something can do a better job of representing that something. Sometimes, the outsider perspective can be just as important. Traditional Yoruba philosophy understands this well when they acknowledge the input and perspective of the outsider.
You have nothing to fear. I am sure if Bill T. Jones manages to fail with this one then it will not be as result of lack of emotional or cultural connection.
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