Fall in love with Simon & Garfunkel all over again in this dynamic, and uplifting musical journey through more than 20 classic hits!

Everyone knows the songs of Simon & Garfunkel and between 31 Jan and 8 March, you will be able to hear them all live at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre – AGAIN, as this production returns due to huge public demand!

Expect to hear all the hits, including Bridge over Troubled Water, Cecilia, The Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, You can call me Al, and many others.

Here’s to You is performed by a stellar all South African cast of 8 talented singers who all play musical instruments.  Under the Musical Directorship of Wessel Odendaal, the cast is led by Josh Ansley on guitar with Ashleigh Butcher on Banjo/Guitar/Ukelele, Daniel Geddes on Keyboards, Hanna So on Piano/Violin/Cello, Justin Swartz on Guitar/Vocal Percussion, Phindile Dube on Percussion and Sanli Jooste on Cello.

The show features thrillingly fresh, yet faithful re-interpretations of Simon & Garfunkel`s evergreen songs, blending nostalgia and imagination, so that generations, young and old can discover the magic of their music as if for the very first time.

Here’s To You

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

31 January to 8 March 2020

Wednesdays to Saturdays at 20:00

Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00.

Tickets are available from R100 through Computicket, or through the Theatre.

Purchases of these tickets, will count towards your R500, when entering the Montecasino Ferrari Promotion.

The post Here’s To You Returns appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Fall in love with Simon & Garfunkel all over again in this dynamic, and uplifting musical journey through more than 20 classic hits!

Everyone knows the songs of Simon & Garfunkel and between 31 Jan and 8 March, you will be able to hear them all live at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre – AGAIN, as this production returns due to huge public demand!

Expect to hear all the hits, including Bridge over Troubled Water, Cecilia, The Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, You can call me Al, and many others.

Here’s to You is performed by a stellar all South African cast of 8 talented singers who all play musical instruments.  Under the Musical Directorship of Wessel Odendaal, the cast is led by Josh Ansley on guitar with Ashleigh Butcher on Banjo/Guitar/Ukelele, Daniel Geddes on Keyboards, Hanna So on Piano/Violin/Cello, Justin Swartz on Guitar/Vocal Percussion, Phindile Dube on Percussion and Sanli Jooste on Cello.

The show features thrillingly fresh, yet faithful re-interpretations of Simon & Garfunkel`s evergreen songs, blending nostalgia and imagination, so that generations, young and old can discover the magic of their music as if for the very first time.

Here’s To You

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

31 January to 8 March 2020

Wednesdays to Saturdays at 20:00

Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00.

Tickets are available from R100 through Computicket, or through the Theatre.

Purchases of these tickets, will count towards your R500, when entering the Montecasino Ferrari Promotion.

The post Here's To You Returns appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Here’s to you… an opportunity to win tickets to get on this Simon & Garfunkel journey down Memory Lane, all the way to Graceland, passing the Bridge over Troubled with Water.

With thanks to the Producers, we are giving away 10 double tickets to the 20:00 performance, on Thursday, 4 July 2019 at the Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.

Everyone knows the songs of Simon & Garfunkel and between 5 and 28 July, you will be able to hear them all live at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre. Here’s to You is performed by a stellar all South African cast of 8 talented singers who all play musical instruments. Under the Musical Directorship of Wessel Odendaal, the cast is led by Josh Ansley, Runner op of the previous season of The Voice SA on guitar with Ashleigh Butcher on Banjo/Guitar/Ukelele. Daniel Geddes was cast on Keyboards, Hanna So on Piano/Violin/Cello, Justin Swartz on Guitar/Vocal Percussion, Phindile Dube on Percussion and Sanli Jooste on the Cello.

Here’s To You Competition is now Closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on Monday, 1 July 2019.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times.
3. Seat allocations are up to the discretion of the promoters.
4. Tickets may not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
5. The prize comprises of two tickets per prize winner.
6. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
7. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
8. Prizes does not include accommodation and / or travel to and from the event.
9. Winners will be notified by mail.
10. One Entry per Email Address will be entered into the draw.

The post Win Tickets to Here's To You appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Fall in love with Simon & Garfunkel all over again in this dynamic, and uplifting musical journey through more than 20 classic hits!

Everyone knows the songs of Simon & Garfunkel and between 5 and 28 July, you will be able to hear them all live at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre. Expect to hear all the hits, including Bridge over Troubled Water, Cecilia, The sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, You can call me Al, Mrs. Robinson and Graceland.

Simon and Garfunkel’s great catalogue provides a carousel of memories that will be on display for a limited season in Johannesburg and promises to be the hottest musical ticket in town.

With a sensational cast of multi-talented performers who bring this timeless music alive in a theatrical setting, Here’s to You is a fresh take on Simon & Garfunkel`s classic songs that speak to all ages.

Here’s to You is performed by a stellar all South African cast of 8 talented singers who all play musical instruments. Under the Musical Directorship of Wessel Odendaal, the cast is led by Josh Ansley, Runner op of the previous season of The Voice SA on guitar with Ashleigh Butcher on Banjo/Guitar/Ukelele. Daniel Geddes was cast on Keyboards, Hanna So on Piano/Violin/Cello, Justin Swartz on Guitar/Vocal Percussion, Phindile Dube on Percussion and Sanli Jooste on the Cello.

The show features thrillingly fresh, yet faithful re-interpretations of Simon & Garfunkel`s evergreen songs, blending nostalgia and imagination, so that generations, young and old can discover the magic of their music as if for the very first time. With fast becoming a big name in SA Theatre, VR Theatrical is bringing this production to stage, with Timothy le Roux as the director, Oliver Hauser in charge of the lights, with Set Design by proven top talent, Nadine Minnaar.

Here’s To You

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

5 to 28 July 2019

Performances will be at 20:00 from Wednesdays to Saturdays, as well as 16:00 on Saturdays and 15:00 on Sundays.

Tickets are available from R100 through Computicket.

The post Here's To You appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Fresh from his success as Che in the international tour of Evita, Jonathan Roxmouth sets the stage on fire as Jerry Lee Lewis in Great Balls of Fire. Audiences can expect the hits that shaped a generation played by Jonathan at the piano and a flaming hot six-piece band. All-time favourite hits include Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Roll over Beethoven and High School Confidential.

The show features Buddy Holly Stalwart Craig Urbani as Sam Philips and Paul Ditchfield of The Bats as Elmo Lewis. Cranking up the temperature is Ashleigh Butcher as Myra Gale Lewis.

Jerry Lee Lewis is widely regarded as the Real Wild Child of Rock ‘n Roll. Since his meteoric rise to fame in the 1950’s, Lewis has established himself as a performer of unbridled energy, passion and unmistakable piano pyrotechnics – literally and musically. Whether driving audiences wild with his distinctive pumping piano style or setting the piano alight, the story of Jerry Lee Lewis is as fascinating as the string of gold records to his name.

Having paid tribute to famous pianists like Liberace in Call me Lee and Marvin Hamlisch in I’m Playing Your Song, Jonathan is back behind the piano for the first time in two years – this time in his favourite genre of rock ‘n roll. He once again joins forces with acclaimed director and choreographer Weslee Swain Lauder, having enjoyed huge success staging Jonathan’s sell out concert The Musicals at the Teatro at Montecasino. The show will be designed by Nadine Minnaar with lighting by Oliver Hauser and sound by Richard Smith.

Great Balls Of Fire

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

18 July – 12 August

Wednesdays to Fridays at 20:00

Saturdays at 16:00 and 20:00

Sundays at 14:00 and 18:00

Tickets: R125, R175, R225 & R275

Bookings through Computicket or the Box Office (011) 511 1818.

The post Great Balls of Fire appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

There are only a few things better in life than to leave a theatre production where you have hit the epiphany of sheer entertainment. Taking nothing away from all the other brilliant theatre productions that stunned audiences this year, but with reference to Rock of Ages, now showing at the Lyric theatre in Gold Reef City, absolute enjoyment is included in your ticket price. Not only does the music comprise of well-known anthems for young and old, the story, humor and most of all, the presentation of all these elements, are the perfect ingredients for a fun and memorable night out.

In the last few years, VR Theatrical have produced numerous productions on SA stages, succeeding in entertaining and delighting audiences nationwide. We are talking about I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Mysteries of Irma Vep, and forthcoming Johannesburg attractions in 2018 such as the hugely successful Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as Avenue Q, in association with Kosie House of Theatre.

“We focus on a younger audience, because it is important for theatre to keep up with the times”, Executive producer, Jaco van Rensburg told Stage and Screen after the show: “And even though our productions appear to be very edgy, audiences love them because people feel welcome when seeing these shows and they associate with the type of shows we play, which doesn’t exclude anyone. And mostly because it is fun!”

This time around, in partnership with Gold Reef City, they successfully brought Rock of Ages to the stage, with acclaimed response.

I do firmly believe that the success of this production, is mostly a result of the impeccable casting selection. I don’t think that the effectiveness of this show could have been so magical if it wasn’t for the versatility of all the actors in their various roles. The Headline act for this show, Josh Ansley, played the role of Drew, who falls in love with Sherrie, played by the super talented Claire Taylor. To throw a spanner in the works, is Stacee Jaxx, as sung by Andrew Webster.  He does show off his very well-defined body, but his talent, together with that of Ansley and Taylor, lies within their rock voices, that make most of these anthems, revived hits in their own right.

I could carry on about how I enjoyed the performances of the whole cast, like the physically excellent performance of Zak Hendrikz, the vocal powerhouse Nompumelelo Mayiyane, brilliantly with her quick scene-changes, Natasha van der Merwe, and the very camp Schoeman Smit, but I have to highlight two performances that stood out for me on the night. First was Neels Clasen, who is not a new face in a VR Theatrical production. In the role of German developer, Hertz, Classen’s versatility and expertise in accents and impersonations, added to the authenticity of his character.

Acting on opposite sides of the story, was club owner Dennis, played by Craig Urbani, who for me was undoubtedly the standout performance of the night. He fitted his character like a glove, and the noticeable effort he put into the portrayal of his role, was hysterical to watch. I personally, after seeing him recently in Saturday Night Fever and West Side Story, haven’t enjoyed Urbani’s talent as much as in Rock Of Ages… By no means do I suggest that his other roles were off par.

Louis and Nadine Minnaar were responsible for the Scenic Design. I was so impressed with many of the set elements, which in its over-the-top approach, was very effective. The impressive lightning design by Oliver Hauser set the scene for a true rock style musical. At times I felt as if though I was more rockstar groupie, than civilized theatre patron! Some scene changes were illustrated with various illuminating combinations, which made the flow of the storyline effortless to follow.   More than once, I caught myself enjoying various scenes so much, and laughing out so loud, I neglected to hear the many beautiful harmonies relating to those scenes. This, in my opinion, is reason enough to admit that seeing Rock Of Ages only once, is just not enough.

Adding to the constantly moving sets, were the choreography of Weslee Lauder, to complete the full picture. Lauder, brilliant on and off the stage, added to the je ne sais quoi of the show. It takes a certain type of character to make two 80’s rocker fellows fall in love, and at the same time, have the audience accepting everything happening on stage, reeling with laughter. Lauder was exactly the man for the Job.

The music was executed with distinction under the directorship of Wessel Odendaal. I am sure that each rock hit of that era featuring in this show, brought at least one or two memories to every audience member, irrespective of age. With the music of the 80’s being very diverse and quintessentially popular, Odendaal had the enormous task of directing the music in such a way, that the expectations of all 80’s music lovers would be met.  Odendaal, after the show, acknowledged that he is very thankful to have worked with such talented musicians as those appearing in Rock of Ages. Audiences should not expect replicas and cover versions of the original hits featuring in this musical, but can be sure to be entertained with fitting renditions of these songs, as part of a stand-alone musical production. Putting all these elements together, is Director Elizma Badenhorst, whose resume speaks for itself…

Rock of Ages has a rating of PG16, but van Rensburg said that the final call will ultimately be those of the youngster’s parents. From club scenes to public toilet scenes, from protests to the Final Countdown, there is something for every type of theatre goer in Rock of Ages, to make you remember and appreciate the music and energetic days of the 80’s. Rock of Ages will run until Sunday, 10 December 2017. For more information, especially on Group and Corporate Discount offers, please visit: http://www.stageandscreen.co.za/rock-of-ages/

Experience Rock of Ages in Pictures, with compliments of Gold Reef City.

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