As the spotlight of the world shines on Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup games, Africa is also enjoying the spotlight on Broadway. The FELA! Broadway show was awarded with three Tony Awards on “Broadway’s Big Night”, which took place this past Sunday at New York City’s world-famous Radio City Music Hall. After receiving a total of 11 nominations—including a nomination for Best Musical and Best Leading Actor in a Musical—the went on to win in three categories: Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Choreography, which was received by Director/Choreographer Bill T. Jones.
Backed by Jay-Z and power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, FELA! is an innovative musical based on events in the life of Nigerian superstar and Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Check out the full list of winners below.
By Ngozi Mba
Photos: Wireimage
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith in the audience
Aretha Franklin
Bill T. Jones accepts his award onstage
Choreographer Bill T. Jones
Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis 2
Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Douglas Hodege
Karine Plantadit
Michelle Williams
Montego Glover
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy
Paula Abdul
Poster at the Fela! after party
Sahr Ngaujah
Sahr Ngaujah
Scarlett Johansson
The cast of Fela! perform onstage
The cast of Fela! perform onstage
The cast of Fela! perform onstage
The cast of Fela! perform onstage
Viola Davis (right)
Viola Davis and Denzel Washington onstage
Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kerry Washington, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Photos: Wireimage
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Full list of winners below.
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Best Play: Red
Best Musical: Memphis
Best Book of a Musical: Memphis
Best Original Score Written for the Theater: Memphis
Best Revival of a Play: Fences
Best Revival of a Musical: La Cage aux Folles
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Denzel Washington (Fences)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Viola Davis (Fences)
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: Douglas Hodge (La Cage aux Folles)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical:Catherine Zeta-Jones (A Little Night Music)
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Eddie Redmayne (Red)
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Scarlett Johansson (A View from the Bridge)
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical: Levi Kreis (Million Dollar Quartet)
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises)
Best Direction of a Play: Michael Grandage (Red)
Best Direction of Musical: Terry Johnson (La Cage aux Folles)
Best Choreography: Bill T. Jones (Fela!)
Best Orchestrations: Daryl Waters and David Bryan (Memphis)
Best Scenic Design of a Play: Christopher Oram (Red)
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Christine Jones (American Idiot)
Best Costume Design of a Play: Catherine Zuber (The Royal Family)
Best Costume Design of a Musical: Marina Draghici (Fela!)
Best Lighting Design of a Play: Neil Austin (Red)
Best Lighting Design of a Musical:Kevin Adams (American Idiot)
Best Sound Design of a Play:Adam Cork (Red)
Best Sound Design of a Musical: Robert Kaplowitz (Fela!)
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Alan Ayckbourn and Marian Seldes
Regional Theater Tony Award: The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, CT
Isabelle Stevenson Award: David Hyde Pierce
Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater: Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, B.H. Barry, Midtown North & South New York City Police Precincts, and Tim Viola
