Let’s Get it On

The Life and music of Marvin Gaye

Joburg Theatre is proud to announce the star casting of award-winning musician LLOYD CELE in the international production of LET’S GET IT ON – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE: on The Mandela stage for a limited season from May 7th to May 16th 2015.

Lloyd recently won ‘Best R&B’ single for ALL I NEED IS YOU at the Metro FM Awards and says this is a perfect fit for the show.  “Marvin Gaye has always been one of my idols, and I’m extremely excited to have been given this opportunity to portray this music icon on stage.”

LET’S GET IT ON – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE is produced by Helpman award-winning producer Simon Myers and Moira Bennett from Room 8 productions whose recent shows include THE MAN IN BLACK – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH, AT LAST – THE ETTA JAMES STORY and TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS – THE JOHN DENVER STORY.

This is their first production in South Africa. The producers were very keen to cast a local singing personality for the show and found their star in Lloyd Cele.

Lloyd Cele shot to fame as the runner up in Idols in 2010.  He has since won numerous awards; SAMA award for Best Pop Album as well as being a Metro FM, Channel O and Wawela nominee.

He’s also a crowd favourite at all major festivals nationwide.  He is an executive producer and a diverse artist who plays guitar, piano, bass and saxophone.

LET’S GET IT ON – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE is a two-hour narrative concert that celebrates the life and music of the multi-talented musician, singer and songwriter acknowledged as The Prince of Motown – The Prince of Soul.

The show features some of Marvin’s most beloved songs including ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, his stunning spiritual masterwork ‘What’s Going On’, the Grammy Award-winning ‘Sexual Healing’ and many more.

The show explores Marvin’s humble beginnings, his troubled relationship with his father, his search for meaning and the music that defined a generation.

The voice that formed the soundtrack to countless liaisons in the ‘60s and ‘70s was tragically silenced thirty years ago – and the scale of that tragedy is reinforced through the retelling of his story.   From the opening number – Stars and Stripes Marvin-style – to the finale, the show channels ‘the main man’ in a tribute that is more music than musical, more lyrics than script.

Lloyd will be backed by some of Australia’s finest and funkiest musicians, The Funk City Band, and introducing Vika Bull.  Vika’s character is an amalgam of the three main women in Marvin’s life; Tammy Tyrell, Diana Ross and Anna Gordy.

Vika is firmly established as one of Australia’s most powerful female voices having supported legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sting and Joe Cocker.

LET’S GET IT ON – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE will have you Dancing In The Street!

Performances for LET’S GET IT ON – THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE begin in The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on Thursday May 7th and the limited season must close on Saturday May 16th.  Shows are at 8pm Thursdays to Saturdays, and 3pm on Sundays.

Tickets range from R180 to R350, and are on sale by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com, or by calling the theatre’s ticketing line on 0861 670 670.  Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling Joburg Theatre on (011) 877 6853/6815.