Into the Woods is a sleek and sexy beast of a musical. It is in turn moody and magical as well as witty and wise, providing the kind of intellectual and emotional satisfaction, and the kind of exhilarating theatrical experience that you would expect from Stephen Sondheim, the creator of musical masterpieces such as Sweeney Todd and West Side Story.

James Lapine of Book fame and Stephen Sondheim, who brought us Music & Lyrics, take everyone’s favourite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.

Don’t be deceived – this is not a musical for children… This is a wicked and wonderful cautionary fairy tale for adults that will both delight and haunt you. It is all about what it is to be human, to long for something other and to wish for something more than what you have; to deal with the inevitable loss and the terrible beauty that this journey through the world offers us.

Into the Woods has all the allure of the fairy tale, the mystery and the whimsy. It tells of love, loss, desire, hope… and revenge… With its roots deeply planted in old folk tales, it offers a rich harvest of ideas. The production also has a dazzling score with ravishing melody and seductive rhythms. It also boasts one of the cleverest, most complex set of lyrics ever written for musical theatre.

This is Sondheim at his very best; a very rare opportunity to revel in his wisdom and originality. Productions of this kind only appear once in a blue moon!

Be spellbound by this delightful tale that will show at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino’s Theatre. Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast to the likes of Kate Normington, Earl Gregory, Zak Hendrikz, Jessica Sole, Haylea Heyns, Michael Richard, Graham Wicks, Candice Van Litsenborgh, Dianne Simpson, Nathan Kruger, LJ Neilson, Schoeman Smit, Ashleigh Harvey, Sarah Richard, Brandon Moulder, Naret Loots, Alyssa Harrison and Megan Rigby, Into the Woods is sure to astonish the audience!

Into the Woods is directed by Steven Stead, with set design by Greg King, costume design by Neil Harris and lighting by Tina le Roux.

Into the Woods:

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

8 March 2019 to 14 April 2019

Performances on Wednesdays to Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm

Ticket prices vary between R375, R275, R175 and R100

Book at Theatre Box Office on 011 511 1818 or at Computicket.com

The post Into The Woods appeared first on Stage and Screen.

With Compliments of Pieter Toerien Productions, we are giving away 11 double tickets to the performance of Into the Woods to be staged on Friday, 8 March 2019 at 19:30 at the Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.

Into the Woods is a sleek and sexy beast of a musical. It is in turn moody and magical as well as witty and wise, providing the kind of intellectual and emotional satisfaction, and the kind of exhilarating theatrical experience that you would expect from Stephen Sondheim, the creator of musical masterpieces such as Sweeney Todd and West Side Story.

Into the Woods has all the allure of the fairy tale, the mystery and the whimsy. It tells of love, loss, desire, hope… and revenge… With its roots deeply planted in old folk tales, it offers a rich harvest of ideas. The production also has a dazzling score with ravishing melody and seductive rhythms. It also boasts one of the cleverest, most complex set of lyrics ever written for musical theatre.

Into The Woods Competition is now closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on Wednesday, 6 March, 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 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 Into the Woods appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical originally opened in Australia in 2006 and after a sell-out two year run, opened on London’s West End followed by Broadway in New York. The show continues to wow audiences across the globe with recent return tours to the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It has won awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.

Critics the world over rave! The Herald Sun (Australia) claims the show is “Vivid, daring and over-the-top” while The Daily Telegraph (UK) sums up the show as being “hugely entertaining … insanely glitzy”.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a heart-warming and uplifting tale of three drag artist friends who hop aboard a battered old bus aka “Priscilla” and go off on the adventure of a life-time through the Australian Outback, to perform in Alice Springs.  On the way they find friendship, love and far more than they ever dreamed of.

With a dazzling array of over 500 award-winning costumes, 200 extraordinary head-dresses and a hit parade of dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

Showtime Management’s Hazel Feldman says: “Priscilla is the ultimate ‘feel-good’ show. This dazzling musical has all the ingredients for a superb night out: the most wonderful costumes, outrageous glamour, music that will have you dancing in your seat and a funny yet touching storyline. No wonder this show has been such a massive hit from the West End to Broadway and beyond.”

The proudly South African, exceptionally talented 28-member cast, live band, crew and creative team will give audiences a night of unforgettable performances, nostalgic music and an entertainment experience with all the sparkle to share in Priscilla’s “fabulousness”.

The principal roles will be played by stellar stage, screen and television performers including David Dennis who has achieved prominence in leading roles from classical to contemporary and musical theatre to film and television over the past three decades (Pirates of Penzance, Starlight Classics and movies 10000BC, Winnie and Zambezia); Daniel Buys (Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever); Phillip Schnetler (Saturday Night Fever, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and veteran actor, James Borthwick (Sunset Boulevard, Evita and over 200 other productions).

Additional roles are played by Taryn-Lee Hudson (Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys), Chantal Herman (Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Noah of Cape Town) and Candice van Litsenborgh (Annie, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard) with Candida Mosoma (Lion King, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), The Voice of SA finalist, Thembeka Mnguni (High School Musical, Grease) and Durban born Londiwe Dhlomo (Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Puss in Boots) as the three dazzling Diva’s.

The ensemble features a host of multi-talented local performers including Tshepo Ncokoane (Shrek, Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Sleeping Beauty); Zane Gillion (Sister Act, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing); Michael Fullard (Hot Mikado, Sleeping Beauty, Sneeuwitjie); Michael Wallace (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cabaret, West Side Story); Craig Hawks (Black Sails television series, My Fair Lady); Ryan Flynn (Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys), Samuel Hyde (Singin’ in the Rain SA, Asia and Australia/New Zealand Tour); Henk Opperman (Private Presley, Dirty Dancing the Musical SA and Asia). Fresh new talent includes Dirk Joubert, Jonathan Raath, Nadine Grobbelaar, Donae Brazer, Lourens Obermeyer and Darius Engelbrecht.

Original Priscilla international Director, Simon Phillips together with Choreographer, Andrew Hallsworth will be coming to South Africa to mount the show together with Resident Director, Anton Luitingh; Musical Director, Bryan Schimmel and Resident Choreographer, Duane Alexander.

Board the bus! Bring your “fabulousness” on this highly entertaining journey. Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre.  This musical contains some strong language and adult themes, therefore parental guidance is recommended for children under the age of 12.

Get ready for the musical journey of your life!  The critically-acclaimed hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert based on the Oscar-winning hit film makes its South African premiere at Artscape, Cape Town on Tuesday, 28 March 2017.  Presented by Showtime Management in association with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Nullarbor Productions, and featuring an all South African cast, Priscilla will be on stage at Artscape until Sunday, 23 April, thereafter moving to Montecasino’s Teatro from Friday, 28 April to 18 June 2017. Tickets are now on sale at Computicket. Hashtag: #PriscillaSA. Brought to South Africa in association with BBC First

SHOW INFORMATION:

C A P E   T O W N

VENUE: Artscape

DATES:  Tuesday, 28 March to Sunday, 23 April 2017

SHOW TIMES:

No Monday performances.

Weekdays: Tuesdays  – Fridays 20h00

Weekends: Saturdays 15h00, 20h00; Sundays 14h00, 18h00

NOTE SHOW SCHEDULE– EASTER WEEKEND 2017

Friday, 14 April: No performance

Saturday, 15 April: 15h00 and 20h00

Sunday, 16  April: 14h00 and 18h00

Monday, 17 April:  No performance

PRICES:

Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Sunday evenings: R150, R250, R350, R450

                Fridays/Saturdays/Sunday matinees: R200, R300, R400, R500

BOOKINGS:

Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet or call Artscape Dial-A-Seat 021 421 7695

GROUP BOOKINGS:

20% Discount on groups of 20 and more – all midweek and Sunday evening performances only

Bookings through Jill Somers, 079 218 1658, sales@showtime.co.za

IMPORTANT INFO:

This musical contains some strong language and adult themes, therefore parental guidance is recommended for children under the age of 12

JOHANNESBURG

VENUE: Teatro at Montecasino

DATES: Friday, 28 April to Sunday, 18 June 2017

SHOW TIMES:

No Monday performances, except for Monday 01 May 6pm (Workers Day Public Holiday).

Weekdays: Tuesdays to Fridays 20h00

Weekends: Saturdays 15h00, 20h00; Sundays 14h00, 18h00

PRICES:

Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays at 8pm and Sundays 6pm:  R150, R250, R350, R450 inclusive

Fridays/Saturdays (matinee and evening) and Sunday matinees: R200, R300, R400, R500 inclusive

BOOKINGS:

Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or

visit your nearest Computicket outlet

GROUP BOOKINGS

20% Discount on groups of 20 and more – all midweek performances  and Sunday evenings only

Bookings through Jill Somers, 079 218 1658, sales@showtime.co.za

GROUP HOSPITALITY PACKAGES:

For Montecasino Group Hospitality Packages (20+ tickets) montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com or 011 367 4250

SHOW & STAY PACKAGES

For Montecasino Show and Stay Packages at one of the Montecasino Hotels,  telephone 011 367 4250  or montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This musical contains some strong language and adult themes, therefore parental guidance is recommended for children under the age of 12

The post Priscilla, Queen of the Desert appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

Very seldom a theatre production of this scale makes you proud, and very positive about the future of SA Theatre. In this case, Annie doesn’t disappoint; it is a showcase of the young talent we can expect major success from in the future.

There are many aspects of Annie to rave about, but most of all, credit has to go to the producers for casting such an unbelievable cast. Perfectly fitted into each role, each character is portrayed with ease, contributing effortlessly to the magic of Annie’s Story. But Annie, the musical, is famous for the orphan girls, who serve as the core focus of the show. In this Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman Production, each little girl crawls into the heart of each audience member, which makes Annie an explosive experience of theatre excellence.

With great appreciation to the producers, I was blessed to see Annie three times, to witness all three groups of orphans perform their roles. It would be totally unfair of me to label the one better than the other, because the standard, dedication, and hunger to perform from all the kids, were astonishing and noticeable in their performances.

Bonisiwe Nomoyi plays Molly in Team Empire. It is this 11 year-old’s debut performance on the big stage, but her wittiness and comfortable demeanour would make you think she is already an experienced stage actress. From team Rockerfeller, also playing Molly, is Mikah Smith. Mikah is the ultimate definition of cuteness on stage. With an impressive resume already for a 12 year-old girl, her dream of becoming a professional performer, might be realised much sooner than she thinks.

But let’s talk about Annie… or the three Annies in this production. It was nothing short of entertaining to see all three off them perform; Emma-Rose Blacher, Caitlin Dicker and Lilla Fleischmann. Each of these Annies has the characteristics of a true performer. I still insist that choosing the “best” Annie, would be unfair, but I was really impressed with Fleischmann’s performance as Annie. It is not easy being alone on stage, with a dog that decides not to play its part. Fleischman showed real professionalism by continuing with her act, not fazed at all by Sandy’s unwillingness to co-operate.

To add to this, the chemistry between Fleischmann as Annie, and Daddy Warbucks, on the night played by Anton Luitingh, was so effective; the connection between orphan and adopted father-to-be was tangible. In saying this, there is nothing short of Neels Clasen’s performance as Daddy Warbucks. All the adult cast members showed real class in all the respective roles necessary to make Annie such an easy-to-enjoy musical.

Now, sometimes you get an actor that has to act in a silly, funny role, which is normally associated with the villain in the story. Many times, it is easy for such an actor to overplay the silliness and funniness, that it becomes annoying towards the end of the show. This was certainly not the case with Charon Williams-Ros, in the role of Miss Hannigan. Nominated for two Best Actress awards for her role in Sweeney Todd, Williams-Ros portrayed this role with perfection. She knew exactly where to draw the line between the silliness the role required, and overplaying the part. It is no wonder she had audiences on their feet at all three performances.

Completing the evil threesome with humorous success, is Stephen Jubber and Delray Halgryn as Rooster and Lily respectively. In total contradiction to these sly characters, is the loving and beautiful Taryn Sudding, perfectly cast in the role of Grace. To complete the cast in the ensemble, are well known theatre stars Duane Alexander, also the Resident Choreographer for this production,  Ambre-Chanel Fulton, Cat Lane, Stefania du Toit, with other talents like Michael Fullard, Michelle Lane, Hope Maimane, Jonathan Raath, Candice van Litsenborgh and Richard Vorster.

To join this wonderful cast, was Ben Mundy, in the role of Bert Healy, who got his training at the Arts Educational School in London.  Mundy acted previously as a swing in the UK and European tours of Annie, and no doubt his experience contributed immensely to this production,  in which he fulfilled the role of Dance Captain.

The production was executed in world-class fashion. The transitions between sets are done very smartly, changing right before your eyes, whilst distracted by some activities which makes the next scene just appear out of nowhere. Directed by Nikolai Foster, choreographed by Nick Winston, and taken over by resident director Anton Luitingh, this wonderful cast mastered this direction flawlessly.

Under the baton of Musical Director, conductor and Flying Maestro, Bryan Schimmel, the music is as magical as one would like to look forward to. I believe that directing all these kids, in their three groups, was not an easy task, so a huge F-Sharp and B-Flat thumbs up to Schimmel and the rest of the musical coaches for such delightful sounds.  Schimmel has an eight piece orchestra in the pit under his direction in this production.

Annie will enchant audiences in Gauteng until 27 November at the Teatro, Montecasino, after which it will move to Cape Town, to continue their hard knock life in the Artscape, from 2 December. Don’t delay. I will advise to book early, as tomorrow, is only a day away.

Annie is proudly presented by Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman, in association with Michael Harrison Entertainment and David Ian Productions.

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This review was edited by Bronwen Kerry from B Sharp Entertainment.  Photos by Louw Mulder

The post Annie appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Jonathan Roxmouth and Charon Williams-Ros will be starring in Sweeney Todd, when Pieter Toerien brings this Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musical thriller to the Montecasino Theatre from 9 October 2015 till 13 December 2015.

Featuring sublime theatrics, a thrilling, chilling story, suspense, passion, deliciously dark humour, with a score and lyrics that have taken on iconic status, directed and designed by the award-winning KickstArt team of Steven Stead and Greg King, and starring Jonathan Roxmouth and Charon Williams-Ros… it doesn’t get any better than Sondheim’s SWEENEY TODD!

SWEENEY TODD features an all-star South African cast that includes our Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors – Candice van Litsenborgh – alongside Michael Richard, Jaco van Rensburg, Anne Marie Clulow, Adam Pelkowitz, Luciano Zuppa, Wesley Swain Lauder, Cameron Botha, Pauline du Plessis, Sanli Jooste, Claire Simonis, Megan Rigby, Schoeman Smit and a very special welcome back to our stage after many years touring overseas in CATS – our very own Earl Gregory! MD for the show is Rowan Bakker. Costume designs by Neil Stuart Harris. Lighting is by Tina le Roux.

This musical thriller by American theatrical genius, Stephen Sondheim, features one of the greatest musical theatre scores ever written. It tells the outlandish tale of urban legend, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, who famously murdered his clients in his barber chair, where after his whacky neighbour, and partner in crime, Mrs Lovett, turned them into much sought after meat pies. Set in 19th century England, SWEENEY TODD looks at what drives a man to this sort of extreme revenge and obsession, and considers what tragedy lies in his dark and mysterious past.  This gripping musical features the classic songs ‘Pretty Women’; ‘Johanna’; ‘Not While I’m Around’; ‘By the Sea’; ‘A Little Priest’, and ‘The Ballad of Sweeney Todd’.

SWEENEY TODD won both the Tony Award and the Olivier Award for BEST New Musical when it was first produced in 1979, and is now also a major motion picture by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen delicious as the sly fop Pirelli. Cameron Mackintosh has called Sondheim “possibly the greatest lyricist ever”. Johannesburg audiences are urged to book early for this ultimate Musical Theatre treat!

Booking is through Computicket (011) 340 8000 or Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818.

Tickets cost R350, R250, R150 & R100

Performances: Wed – Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 4pm & 8pm, Sun @ 3pm

“Attend the tale of SWEENEY TODD. His skin was pale and his eye was odd. He shaved the faces of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard of again. He trod the path that few have trod, did SWEENEY TODD, the demon barber of Fleet Street.”

The post Sweeney Todd appeared first on Stage and Screen.