by Louw Mulder

There are a couple of good reasons why we can celebrate the healthy state of South African Theatre, especially if I look at a couple of the highly acclaimed and professional shows I have seen lately; like Annie, Sound Of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and now, Priscilla. But the real couple worth mentioning, is our country’s most successful Director and Choreographer duo, Anton Luitingh and his fiancé, Duane Alexander.

Anton and Duane met during the first touring South-African production of Cats, in 2001. This is after Anton obtained his B.Dram (Hons) Cum Laude degree in Drama from Maties, and Duane completed his training as the most outstanding student at the Waterfront Theatre School, and obtained teaching degrees in both modern and Tap Dancing. With these credentials, together with the love and passion both Anton and Duane have for Musical theatre, success was inevitable.

After Cats, Anton and Duane’s resumes speaks for itself, and there are too many success stories to mention in this article. Both have won awards, and played various lead roles in many South African Productions, and even toured the world to showcase their talent. But acting, was only the start. “You have to contribute more to theatre than just one aspect” they both made me understand.

As we went through their long careers in musical theatre so far, we talked about their involvement in the 2007’s production of Rent. “The South African audience loves the typical classic musicals, but Rent was the first challenging and edgy production, which for me was a very sentimental piece,” Anton said. The role of Mark Cohen was also Duane’s first role in the lead, a role he has wanted to play since he was a boy. With much enthusiasm, both Duane and Anton speak about the 10 year reunion of Rent, which is coming to the Teatro later this year. It is a concert staging with the original South African cast, original band and musical director for one night only.

In the last few years, Anton has established himself as South Africa’s leading resident director of full scale Musical theatre, with Duane flourishing in choreography, being resident choreographer in most of these shows, next to Anton. We spoke about the recent production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat quite a lot, which seems to be very special to both Anton and Duane. This production, for which Duane won various awards for his choreography, is the first fully South African produced production that went on tour. Joseph is currently touring Australia and New Zealand, and as Duane says, he suffers a little bit from fomo, not being able to be there himself.

Boldly and passionately they speak about what works and what doesn’t work in today’s theatre productions. Their experience give merit to their comments, and their explanations and motivations are filled with comprehension and a detailed understanding of the industry. I just hung onto their every word for the whole two hours I spent talking to them.

Saddened, Anton explained that he would love to see more involvement in the theatre industry from an audience perspective. He explained that some brilliantly produced shows are not well attended, while others exceed expectations. Anton mentioned how he would love to see schools being more involved in theatre, and for theatre to become more prominent amongst young people. It was very evident to me that they are driven and have a vision for Musical theatre to prosper even more.

Both Anton and Duane are co-directors of the Musical Theatre Workshop, which invest in youngsters, now also expanding internationally. They elaborated that the biggest lesson that they teach in their workshops, is that the only ego anyone should be concerned about, is the ego of the show. No one individual person is bigger than the show.

I really wish I had time, and space to write about everything we spoke about, but the most exciting part is that the story of Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander is far from over. When Priscilla’s run is concluded, their next project of being the Resident Director and Resident Choreographer couple, is the full scale production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic, Evita.   Anton speaks proudly when he tells me of the extensive international tour this production will embark upon, after delighting South African audiences later this year in Johannesburg and Cape Town.  And no, they are still not saying who will be playing the lead in Evita…

But for now, the attention is on Priscilla, which will open at the Montecasino Teatro next week after a very successful sold-out run in the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. Both Anton and Duane speak fondly of how fun the show is, but also, how this show introduces new talent to the industry. In particular, they refer to Phillip Schnetler, playing his first major role as the very familiar and infamous character, Adam / Felicia.  As  up skilling and development of young future stage stars being high on Duane and Anton’s priority list, their faces both speaks of excitement and enthusiasm as they tell how promising Schnetler’s career can be.

Even though Priscilla will just be another successful entry on both Anton and Duane’s resumes, personally, this will be a production they will least forget.

During the cast party, after the Opening night performance of Priscilla in Cape Town, Duane proposed to Anton, and they got engaged to be married. They have been a happy couple for 16 years, since that first production of Cats in 2001. As both Duane and Anton explained, they waited for the right moment to do this, and an opening of a gay-themed show in their home town, with friends and theatre-family all present… they couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.

As theatre fanatics, we congratulate Anton and Duane on their engagement, and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. With these humble artists, fully devoted to be involved with world class productions coming to our stages, we are in for some real magical theatre.

Feel free to visit http://www.musicaltheatreworkshop.co.za and also www.antonluitingh.com for more about Duane Alexander and Anton Luitingh and to follow their fascinating journey.

This article was edited by Bronwen Kerry.  Photos from Anton and Duane’s Facebook Pages.

The post We Talk to Duane Alexander and Anton Luitingh 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

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