Frequently Asked Questions

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• What is FELA! about?

  The electrifying and touching new Broadway musical, FELA!, tells the true story of Fela Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician, whose soulful and stirring Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.

  Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.

  FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony-Award winner Bill T. Jones.

  It has received 11 Tony Award® nominations: Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Book of a Musical; Best Orchestrations, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design

• Who wrote FELA!?

  FELA! was written by Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones; the music and lyrics are by by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with additional lyrics by Jim Lewis. It was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis & Steve Hendel and it is directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones

• If I’m not familiar with the work of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will I like FELA!?

  Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, a pioneer of Afrobeat music, a human rights activist and a political maverick. He is ranked among the world’s most influential musicians. If you like soul-stirring rhythms, compelling real-life stories and passionate choreography, you will love FELA!

• Who is Bill T. Jones?

  BILL T. JONES (Conceiver / Director / Choreographer / Book Writer) is the recipient of a 2007 Tony® Award, 2007 Obie Award, and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation CALLAWAY Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; the 2007 USA Eileen Harris Norton Fellowship; the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Seven; the 2005 Wexner Prize; the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; the Harlem Renaissance Award; the 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; and the 1994 MacArthur “Genius” Award. In 2000, The Dance Heritage Coalition named Mr. Jones “An Irreplaceable Dance Treasure.” Mr. Jones choreographed and performed worldwide with his late partner, Arnie Zane, before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982, which is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. He has created more than 100 works for his company.

• What is Antibalas?

  ANTIBALAS (Arrangements / Musicians) Credited with introducing Afrobeat to a new generation, this Brooklyn-based collective has released four critically-acclaimed albums since forming in 1998, and can been heard on numerous Afrobeat compilations. Antibalas has performed more than 700 concerts around the world including appearances at the Coachella, Newport and the Montreux Festivals.
  
  The Band
  · Stuart Bogie—Tenor Saxophone
  · Dylan Fusillo—Percussion
  · Greg Gonzalez—Drums
  · Alex Harding—Baritone Saxophone
  · Jordan McLean—Trumpet
  · Oren Bloedow—Guitar
  · Ricardo Quinones—Guitar
  · Yoshihiro Takemasa—Percussion
  · Jeremy Wilms—Bass & Keys

• How long is FELA!?

  FELA! is 2 hours and 20 minutes long, including one 15-minute intermission

• Is there anything else I should know about the FELA! experience?

  Please be advised that FELA! has loud sound effects, smoke and haze effects and strobe effects.

• What are show times?

  Click here for the performance schedule.

• How much are tickets?

  The range in price from $50.50 to $122.00. Click here to buy now.

• Can I buy a ticket in person?

  Yes! The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Box Office is located at 230 W. 49th Street in New York City.
  
  Box office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
  
  Box Office hours are subject to change.
  
  Click here to buy online now or to purchase tickets by phone, call Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200.

• Can I pick up my tickets at the box office?

  Yes! The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Box Office is located at 230 W. 49th Street in New York City. We recommend picking up your tickets at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled performance time.
  
  Box office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
  
  Box Office hours are subject to change.

• If I bring a group, can I get a cheaper price?

  Yes! Groups tickets start at $35! Special Early Bird prices available. Click here or call 1-800-BROADWAY to book your group of 10+ today!

• Is FELA! appropriate for children?

  Yes. We think kids 12 and older will have the most fun, but children 4 and up are welcome.

• Where did FELA! play before?

  FELA! had its world premiere in 2008 at Off-Broadway’s 37 Arts Theatre. The production earned widespread critical acclaim and won three Lucille Lortel Awards: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Choreography (Bill T. Jones) and Outstanding Costume Design (Marina Draghici). Sahr Ngaujah won the Obie Award for Performance for his portrayal of the title role, and New York Magazine named FELA! its pick for Best Theatre 2008.

• Who is producing FELA!?

  Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, along with Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Roy Gabay.Douglas G. Smith, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glaser, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Susan Dietz/Mort Swinsky and Knitting Factory Entertainment.

• How do I contact someone at FELA!

  By email at contact@felaonbroadway.com

• How do I get to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre?

  The Eugene O’Neill Theatre is located at 230 W. 49th Street in New York City. Click here for directions and public transportation access. (Click on "Get Directions.")

• Which subways are close by?

  The Eugene O’Neill Theatre is located at 230 W. 49th Street in New York City.
  
  Please note: Broadway is currently closed to vehicular traffic from 42nd St to 47th St. Please review traffic and transportation details ( pdf file ) and allow extra time to arrive at the theatre.
  
  Most of the theatres are on the right side streets between 8th Avenue and Broadway from 44th to 53rd Streets. There are parking garages along the way.
  
  Please be aware, directions are subject to change due to detours, road/track work, etc.
  
  Subways:
  
  A –To 42nd Street, walk North to 47th Street. C, E – To 50th Street, walk North or South to 49th Street.
  
  N, R, W – To 49th Street, walk North or South to 47th Street. Q –To 42nd Street, walk North to 49th Street.
  
  B, D, F –To 47th-50th Street (at 6th Ave), walk West, and then North or South to 49th Street.
  
  1 – To 49th Street, walk North or South to 49th Street.
  
  2, 3 – To 42nd Street/Times Square and walk North to 49th Street.
  
  4, 5, 6 – To 42nd Street, transfer to shuttle to Times Square and walk North. 7 - To Times Square and walk North to 49th Street.

• Where do I park the car?

  There are many parking lots in the neighborhood, but remember that curtain times create added traffic.

• Is the Eugene O’Neill Theatre handicapped accessible?

  The theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps into the theatre from the sidewalk, but please be advised that where there are steps either into or within the theatre the staff is unable to provide assistance.
  
  Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. There are no steps to the designated wheelchair seating locations. Wheelchair seating is in the Orchestra only.
  
  The Mezzanine is located on the 2nd level—up 25 steps from the Orchestra. There are 15 more steps to the remainder of the Mezzanine.
  
  The entrance to Mezzanine is behind row D. Please Note: On the Mezzanine level, there are approximately 2 steps up or down per row.

• Does the Eugene O’Neill Theatre have air conditioning?

  Yes

• Do I have to climb stairs to see FELA!?

  The Mezzanine is located on the 2nd level—up 25 steps from the Orchestra. There are 15 more steps to the remainder of the Mezzanine. The entrance to Mezzanine is behind row D. Please Note: On the Mezzanine level, there are approximately 2 steps up or down per row

• Is there a place in the Eugene O’Neill Theatre to buy a snack or a drink?

  Yes

• Is there a coat check?

  There is no coat check at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. For all customer service inquiries, please call Telecharge.com customer service at 212.239.6200.

• Is there a lost and found?

  There is no lost and found at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. For all customer service inquiries, please call Telecharge.com customer service at 212.239.6200.

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