Fela! Cast May Perform in Nigeria

The cast of the Will Smith and Jay-Z-produced Broadway hit Fela!, based on the life and music of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, may have quite the itinerary ahead of them.

Following the musical’s success at the Tony Awards (which it left with three wins, including Best Choreography), director and choreographer Bill T. Jones announced that Fela Kuti’s daughter and the Nigerian Ministry of Culture asked the cast to perform in Fela’s home country this fall, according to a post on ContactMusic.com. The performance of Fela! would be part of a celebration of 50 years of Nigerian independence (which it gained from Britain in 1960).

Scheduling conflicts may complicate the performance, however. The celebration is scheduled for Oct. 1, three weeks before Fela! begins its run at the National Theatre in London’s West End. “The National Theatre is very supportive of it, but it’s just three weeks before the London (launch),” Jones said. “But we do want to be there.”

For a taste of the music and dance of Fela!, watch the video below: