“Yeah Yeah” for Fela! at Warner Theatre

Post by Punch Preview Correspondent Whitney Stringer

On Thursday evening, local media mavens were invited to Warner Theatre for the premiere of Fela! The energetic performance pays ode to the life and music of Nigerian “firebrand, iconoclast, rabble-rouser and composer of genius, Fela Kuti.

The activist musician honed a unique sound filled with musical inspirations spanning the likes of his homeland Yoruba music, Cuban rhythms, the guitars of James Brown and even a touch of Frank Sinatra. Paired with his gripping chant “Originality, No Artificiality” Fela led the charge on disenfranchisement for his coastal country.

The show is an electric display of foot-tapping beats, stunning fashions, dazzling dance moves and all in the name of a powerful message for his Afrian people. And if that isn’t enough to send you to the box office, maybe your interest will be peaked by knowing entertainment heavy hitters Jada Pinkett Smith and Jay-Z are co-producers of the Tony-Award willing production.

Fela! plays at Warner Theatre from now through Sunday. Tickets are $57-$127 and can be purchased here.

**Punch Preview Correspondent Whitney Stringer also covers fashion for the Punch as Pret-a-Porter.  She’s a PR pro by day and style focused Penn State grad by day and night. whitney.stringer@gmail.com**