Arts in brief: Broadway hit ‘Fela’ coming to S.F. – San Jose Mercury News

The Broadway musical tribute to Afrobeat icon “Fela!” will turn up the heat on the Best of Broadway 2011-12 season.

Directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, this Tony-winning musical (pictured) fuses dance, theater and world music in its homage to the life and work of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Fela, famed as much for his politics as his music (both of which were always provocative), made more than 70 albums during his storied career. Inspired by both traditional Yoruba music and jazz, Fela broke down barriers in music and his songs are notable for their richly hypnotic driving beats. But his most lasting legacy may be as an activist fighting for the rights of the poor, an issue still of pressing importance in his native Nigeria.

“Fela!” will play Nov. 15-Dec. 11 at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre. Tickets, $35-$99 (subject to change), go on sale in September. 888-746-1799, www.shnsf.com.

via Arts in brief: Broadway hit ‘Fela’ coming to S.F. – San Jose Mercury News.