BOSTON -- Fela is quite a fellow -- Fela Kuti, that is.

He's the Nigerian activist and musician who helped create Afrobeat, a pounding blend of rhythms that merge jazz, funk and African rhythms and harmonies with incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corruption and oppressive dictatorships that rule Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Kuti is the subject of Fela!, a Broadway and London stage sensation now playing the Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., through Sunday, May 6.

"He's a musical genius and Nigerian activist who rallied for equality for the people through his music," said cast member Paulette Ivory, a multi-talented actress with numerous stage, screen and television credits.

Her role of Sandra is "pivotal" to the show, she said.

"She's a Black Panther member, an activist who tells him that Nigeria needs him to be a voice for the people. I tell him to wake up and do what he needs to do," she explained.

Ivory, a British native, has played Boston before as the star of the Disney production of Elton John's Aida and created the role of Nala for Disney's The Lion King in London. She had a recurring role in The Young and the Restless and has done Shakespeare and numerous TV shows and movies. But Fela! is unique, she said.

"I've never been in a show like this before. The show has wonderful music, dance from Bill T. Jones (one of the creators) and audience participation. It's a remarkable experience," she said.

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Tickets are $23.50-$123.50 at 617-824-8000 or online at www. artsemerson.org.

Email Nancye Tuttle at nancyedt@ verizon.net.

On the marquee

MAGIC CARPET RIDE: Enjoy fairy tale magic with Aladdin, Dance Prism's latest original production that explores the exotic world of Scheherazade's tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Filled with harem dancers, gypsies, street vendors and a magical genie, the production follows the impulsive young thief Aladdin from his escapades in a vibrant Middle Eastern bazaar to imprisonment in a desert cave to the palace of the Sultan, where the Genie transforms him into a prince and he wed the princess of his dreams. Matt Tucker of Acton performs as Aladdin and Caitlin Klinger of Sudbury is the princess. Performances on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Collins Center, 100 Shawsheen Road, Andover; Saturday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rogers/Kirshner Theatre at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, 390 Lincoln Road, Sudbury; and Sunday, May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Littleton High School, 56 King St., Littleton. A complimentary meet-and-greet with the cast follows each performance. $22, adults; $16, children and seniors at 978-371-1038 or www.danceprism.com.

SUMMER FUN: North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly has announced its full season line-up of musicals, concert and children's shows. The musical line-up includes Hello, Dolly!, June 12-24; Annie, July 17-29; All Shook Up, Aug. 14-26; 9 To 5: The Musical, Sept. 24-Oct. 7; Guys and Dolls, Oct. 30-Nov. 11; A Christmas Carol, Dec. 7-23. Concerts include Loretta LaRoche, May 6; Chris Isaak, June 28; Aaron Neville, June 30; Steve Tyrell, July 1; Music of the Night, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, July 7; Harvey Robbins' Royalty of Doo-Wop, Aug. 4: Orleans, Sept. 15; Linda Eder, Sept. 15; The Cast of Beatlemania, Oct. 12; Leann Rimes, Oct. 13; Harvey Robbins' Royalty of Rock 'n Roll, Oct. 20; Bill Cosby, March 10, 2013. The children's Summer Fairy Tale Music Series includes Cinderella, June 29; The Frog Prince, July 6; Sleeping Beauty, July 27; Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Aug. 3 and The Three Pigs, Aug. 24. Single tickets for all NSMT shows go on sale today. For info, call 978-232-7200 or visit www.nsmt.org or the box office in person at 62 Dunham Road, Beverly.

SISTER RULES: After teaching countless students about saints, sins, limbo and more, Sister offers hilarious lessons on the sacraments of marriage and the last rites in 'Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3. Audience participation rules in the show that plays the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington, tonight- Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $18-$28 at 781-646-4849 or www.regenttheatre.com.