WILL SMITH - WILL, JADA AND JAY-Z TO CO-PRODUCE BROADWAY'S FELA!

WILL, JADA AND JAY-Z TO CO-PRODUCE BROADWAY'S FELA!

Rapper JAY-Z and Hollywood couple WILL SMITH and JADA PINKETT SMITH have signed on to co-produce upcoming Broadway musical FELA!, about the life of revered African world music star FELA KUTI.
The Hancock actor and hip-hop star were named among investors who stepped in to save the Bill T. Jones production in September (09), after rehearsals were halted due to financial concerns.
Fela! is now set to open on Monday (23Nov09), with the trio sharing producing credits.
Kuti's former co-manager and executor of his estate Rikki Stein insists the stars' involvement will give the musical a significant boost.
He tells Billboard, "There's going to be an enormous incentive for people to investigate Fela when they know that Jay-Z and Will Smith are all rabid fans. It's a sign that the underground is moving overground.
"I have an abiding regret that Fela never achieved the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. We have a long row to hoe in terms of general knowledge and acceptance."
The original version of the musical opened off-Broadway last year (08) and starred Sahr Ngaujah, who will reprise his critically acclaimed role as Kuti.
A spokesperson for Fela! did not specify the amount of the celebrities' investment.