It’s a battle of corporate bodies as big names like the Lagos State government, Hi-Tv, M-NET, Chicken Republic, Skye Bank and Sterling Bank try to outbid each other for right to sponsor Fela, the original Broadway musical produced by Shawn ‘JayZ’ Carter and Will Smith and directed by Bill T. Jones.

The performance is billed for the new expo center of the Eko Hotels and suites, Lagos between April 20th and the 25th of April, 2011.

Telling the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician whose soulful Afro-beat rhythms and cutting lyrics ignited the spirit of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation, the cast of the Fela musical are overjoyed and excited at the prospect to bring Fela home to Nigeria.

Described by the Times of  New York as more than a musical and an ecstatic phenomenon, Fela opened and triumphed at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.

That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones).

A production of this standard brought to Nigeria by Broken Shackles Limited is sure to affect the theatre culture in Nigeria positively by broadening the scope of theater practioners in the generality.

The success of Fela internationally prompted the need to bring the Broadway show to the birth place of the Afro-beat Legend- Fela Anikulapo Kuti on which the Broadway musical is based.