Fela!

By Amy Leon

FELA! takes place during the 1970’s in The Shrine, the concert hall of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, one of the most popular musicians in Africa at the time. He talks to the audience as if we were seated in The Shrine itself. The theatre is full of vibrant decorations, making it feel like we are actually there.

Fela’s original Afrobeat music is heard not only in Africa, but around the world. He doesn’t plan on staying quiet about the problems he sees around him, which sometimes gets him into trouble. With the lyrics original no artificiality and corruption and tradition is the government’s teacher, he describes the corrupt behavior of the Nigerian dictatorships.

The songs are strong and captivating and the dancing shows the beauty of African culture. Though these sounds and movements narrate the story, the play is most powerful within its silences. It is when the music lingers that you can hear the silent screams of pain underlying the colorful production.

FELA! shows the impact that music can make in the world and reminds us that words and a good beat have more power than violence.

HOW TO SEE THE SHOW: $27 general rush • Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St.

Read Amy's interview with Kevin Mambo,
one of the actors playing Fela here! 

Learn more about Fela here!

West Side Story

By Amy Leon

Are you…loyal?

Set in New York in the 1950s, West Side Story is a beautiful tale about the for­bidden love between a white gang member, Tony, and the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang, Maria. The story follows the progression of Tony and Maria’s love and how their actions affect their families and communities.

The dancing is phenom­enal; every movement onstage captivates the eye and ex­presses true talent. Not all the singing can compare to the elaborate dancing, but was still very enjoyable.

Earlier Broadway produc­tions and the movie did not contain much Spanish, but Lin-Manuel Miranda (from In the Heights) translated por­tions of the dialogue and a few songs for this revival, chang­ing the entire dynamic of the show. It made sense - wouldn't recent immigrants from Puerto Rico speak some Spanish? You should know that if you expecting to hear "I Feel Pretty," you will be getting "Siento Hermosa" instead.

West Side Story is an all time favorite and I gladly welcome it back to Broadway!

HOW TO SEE THE SHOW: $26.50 lottery rush beginning 2 ½ hours before the show • The Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway. Visit www.broadwaywestsidestory.com for more information.

Ruined

By Amy Leon

Have you ever…felt unsafe in your environment?

Ruined is a captivating play that forces you to face the realities of both physical and psychological violence.


Inside the walls of Mama Nadi's bar and brothel, we witness the problems that arise for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during civil war. This violence is in contrast with the music and dancing that fill the bar and shed light on the culture of the DRC in a very natural way.

Mama Nadi has taken in three new girls, though it is unclear whether for profit or protection. The women are constantly “visited” by soldiers from both sides of the fighting; men who feel entitled to brutalize, rape and dehumanize the women to the point of ruin.

I recommend Ruined, however be prepared for its intensity. Even though it deals with a subject the world is afraid to publicize, I think it is important to face the darker parts of the world we live in.

How to see the show: New York City Center, Stage I, 131 W. 55th St. Visit www.mtc-nyc.org for schedule and more information.