Today is my day off from rehearsal. I’m associate directing the new musical FELA!, which is co-conceived, co-written, directed and choreographed by the imitable Bill T. Jones – a hero of mine, but I’ll write more on that another day.
So, I’m going to take this day off and leave you with an interview of Bill by the Wall Street Journal.
An African Giant’s Last Dance
By CAROL HYMOWITZ
July 18, 2008; Page W7C
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Nigerian Afro-beat musician and political activist who died of AIDS-related illnesses in 1997, was hugely popular throughout Africa in his lifetime and still has a devoted following today. In the U.S., however, he isn’t as well known as Bob Marley and other black global musicians. Choreographer Bill T. Jones, who runs his own modern-dance troupe and won a Tony last year for his choreography of the Broadway hit “Spring Awakening,” aims to change that. He’s directing — for the first time — and choreographing “Fela!,” a musical that will include live performances of Fela’s music, a fusion of jazz, funk and traditional African styles. Off-Broadway preview performances start on July 29. We talked with Mr. Jones recently about pidgin English, African dictatorships and directing.
WSJ: What do you want people who aren’t familiar with Fela to experience at the show?
Bill T. Jones: First, it should be an evening of good theater. Even though he was so concerned with issues of oppression and empowerment, Fela’s music on the surface is very entertaining. It’s “let’s get down and dance” music. When I listen to Fela, my hips begin moving; my body hears the music first.