‘Fela!’ The latest work of choreographer Bill T. Jones nominated for 11 Tonys

Nominations for theater’s Tony awards have been announced, and three productions have taken the majority of the nominations. The revival of August Wilson’s ?Fences? received 10 nominations, the musical version of the classic drag comedy ?La Cage aux Folles? snapped up 11: the same number as ?Fela!? It’s a depiction of the life of Nigerian composer and political activist Fela Kuti.

“Fela!” director and choreographer Bill T. Jones recently sat down with our friend Terrance McKnight, who hosts weekly and nightly shows on New York classical station WQXR. Jones has been nominated for Best Director in a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Book of a Musical. Terrance and Bill talked about the source of artistic inspiration and how Jones came to direct and choreograph “Fela!”

Terrance says he wanted to understand what goes into the process of choreographing dance. He came out of the interview with a broader view of the artistic life of Bill T. Jones.