Duain Richmond, lead in FELA!, parties at the Nigerian Consulate

Duain Richmond, alternate lead in FELA! 

When  Mayor Kasim Reed and Christopher ‘Ludacris’ Bridges announced the return of FELA!  A frenzy took over Atlanta prompting the Fox Theater to add three additional shows to the musical’s scheduled run. On top of the excitement was a cast willing and eager to mingle with fans and socialites making the return of The Tony Award winning show a highlight of 2013. The  standout party was a private meet & greet at the estate of Nigerian Consulate & Ambassador Geoffrey Tenelaibe. Cast members and tastemakers gathered to dance, eat and celebrate FELA!, but it was alternate lead Duain Richmond who kept the party going and stayed until the last dog died. After being coaxed to join the cast, Richmond finally jumped on board to play the creator of Afro Beat. Fela Kuti. That was a year ago, and now he’s performing FELA! to packed houses in Atlanta, D.C and Charlotte, N.C.

The talented actor shares how Fela’s music went from being the soundtrack of his childhood to one of the most  important parts of his career.
 
What connection do you have to FELA before you joined the cast?
I’m originally from West Africa Sierra Leone. So there is a connection to FELA! and Fela's music. Growing up in an African home my parents always listened to Fela’s music. So, it was only right for me to step in the role because I understood his music, but I didn't understand the man until I actually did the show.
 
Who or what do you channel to play the role?
I channel Fela. The great thing about doing the show is its not just a script you get where you have to develop and create the character on your own.  Fela was an actual person. I channel Fela. As much of Fela as I can channel is what I go for.
 
How does it feel to be performing in Atlanta?
It feels good to be in Atlanta. I grew up in Atlanta I went to school out  here. All my family and close friends are all out here. Atlanta knows how to show love. That’s one thing I appreciate about the city.
 

Lauren De Veaux, Shakira Marshall, 

and Oneika Phillips

So someone said for Africans Atlanta is the gateway to Africa in the U.S.? Is it true?
Obviously. There are few Africans here in the city not like D.C.  We all know you go to D.C. and New York if you want to meet an African, you go out there. But there  is a different feel here. They always say Southerners we have great spirits and Southern hospitality, so when you mix that with the African culture that is here you get a nice mixture of both. You know that's what we Africans are about; we are about hospitality. So it is only right Atlanta would be marked as such a place.
 
And how do you feel about Ludacris being a part of the show?
I went to school with Luda. Luda graduated from Banneker two years after I came out. I was two grades behind him in high school at Banneker. After all the people we could get on board in Atlanta, I suggested Luda because he does great  things for the community, he makes great music and stepped into that role in the acting industry and is doing one hell of a job at it.

 
What was it like growing up in Atlanta as a young man who sung?
I started dancing with Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble where I got my training music and acting musical theater. I don’t consider myself a dancer, I’m just a guy who  knows how to move when I hear music. I’m an actor first. So  with  the spirit of FELA! and knowing African music and knowing  the African grooves...that’s in my blood, so its first nature doing the show.