
The Grammy Award-winning diva will join the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 'Fela!' starting Sept. 14, when she takes on the role of the title character's mother .
LaBelle is slated to portray the coveted role through January 2, 2011, when the show will play its final scheduled performance.
"I am both thrilled and honored," LaBelle said. "After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage. Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman, and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage." Tony Award-winning powerhouse Lillias White (who received a 2010 Tony nomination for her performance as Anikulapo-Kuti) will play her final performance on Sept. 12. It was previously reported that the Brooklyn native will leave take a hiatus from the show to perform concert dates overseas.
Conceived and helmed by Jones, the Tony Award-winning choreographer, 'Fela!' chronicles the life of Afrobeat music pioneer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The show, which is produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will and Jada Smith, Stephen Hendel and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, received three 2010 Tony Awards, including best choreography, best costume design and best sound design.
It is currently playing at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street), where it opened to rave reviews on Nov. 23.
'Fela!' marks the return to Broadway for LaBelle, 66, who performed two weeks of concert specials in 1998. The Philadelphia native made her official Broadway debut in the 1982 gospel musical 'Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.'


Comments: (6)
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By: EB on 8/12/2010 7:43PM
I LOVE Patti LaBelle and I wish her success in this venture. You Go Girl!!!
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By: Vanessa on 9/01/2010 6:53PM
I agree, if only...she could star in the London run at the National Theatre in November 2010 to give us Brits the opportunity to experience what I think will be an exquisite performance I'm sure. I hope you all enjoy the run.
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By: Destiny on 8/12/2010 11:23PM
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By: Lee on 8/13/2010 1:01PM
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THIS(YOU LOOK GOOD GIRL) do what you do.Pattie LaBelle love you
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By: Linda Humphries on 8/16/2010 3:05PM
Patti LaBelle I a Class Act and is the best performer I have ever seen in concert I have seen Katherine Hepburn on Stage and Miss LaBelle is as talented as Miss Hepburn was ans Patti is a God send as an entertainer she does not think she is above any of her fans just has a different talent than we do. You GO MISS PATTI your girlfriend Miss Linda Humphries the Healer and photographer.
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