Paulette Ivory was largely unfamiliar with legendary Nigerian Afrobeatpioneer and political activist Fela Kuti when she joined the cast of"Fela!" at The National in London in 2010. She knew even less about hercharacter, Kuti’s American Black Panther paramour Sandra Izidore, butsince playing the role in cities around the world, she’s becomeintimately familiar with the late Kuti’s legacy and personal friendswith her real-life counterpart. When we spoke last week, theBritish-born, L.A.-based actress was expecting Izidore for dinner at herhome the following night."I already played her pretty aggressively before I met her," Ivory saysof Izidore. “But once I met her, I realized she was fearless. I wouldsay I'm a strong woman, but she makes me look like a pushover.She's beautiful, very intelligent, passionate and aggressive.”The Tony-winning Broadway musical, which starts an eight-show run at theAcademy of Music on Tuesday, tells Kuti's life in a production blendingthe theater and concert stage. Starring SierraLeonean-American actor Sahr Ngaujah, who originated the role of Kuti onBroadway, and directed by choreographer Bill T. Jones, the show brimswith exuberant Afrobeat music."It's not like other musicals where you sit back and watch and areentertained," Ivory says. "The audience is the experience. That's what Ilove about it."If You Go'Fela!'Mar. 20-25Academy of MusicBroad and Locust sts.$20-$100, 215-893-1999www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway
