Lovely Lillias White Returns to Broadway in 'Fela!'

Summary

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Lillias White is back on Broadway! The Harlem resident, multiple award-winner and superb actress/singer will portray Funmilayo AnikulapoKuti, the mother of FeIa Anikulapo-Kuti- the creator of the afro-beat. Funmilayo was a force herself as she led the women's suffrage movement in Nigeria and was a political activist. White was last seen on Broadway a few years back briefly in the role of Matron Mama Morton in "Chicago" and, prior to that, won Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Friends of New York awards for her portrayal of Sonia in "The Life," a role she originated.

I'm so glad she is back!! White has had an amazing Broadway career, which has included performing in musicals such as "BaTnUm," "Dreamgirls," "Cats," "Once on This Island" and "How to Succeed In Business..." She is also a familiar face on TV shows like "Law & Order: SVU."

At a press preview held on Wednesday, September 23 at 37 Arts, where the musical had its sold out off-Broadway run in September 2008, White, her co-stars and the company performed three exciting numbers from the show: "Everything Scattered," "Yellow Fever" and "Trouble Sleep." She was then gracious enough to speak with the AmNews about this exciting return to the Great White Way. A Q&A follows:

At a press preview held on Wednesday, September 23 at 37 Arts, where the musical had its sold out off-Broadway run in September 2008, White, her co-stars and the company performed three exciting numbers from the show: "Everything Scattered," "Yellow Fever" and "Trouble Sleep." Do you think there's something very special about doing a musical that's based on a real event ("FeIa!" is based on the life of the creator of the afro-beat and how he used his music to fight the political oppression and government corruption in Nigeria, even when it cost him the Uves of loved ones)?

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Extract

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Lovely Lillias White Returns to Broadway in 'Fela!'

Lillias White is back on Broadway! The Harlem resident, multiple award-winner and superb actress/singer will portray Funmilayo AnikulapoKuti, the mother of FeIa Anikulapo-Kuti- the creator of the afro-beat. Funmilayo was a force herself as she led the women's suffrage movement ...

See the full content of this document

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