A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin surrounded by the razzle dazzle of the world’s sexiest musical returns in 2019! You’ve got it Comin’ as the story of the award-winning Broadway and West End Musical Chicago unfolds to show-stopping songs including ‘All that Jazz’, ‘Cell Block Tango’ and ‘Mister Cellophane’. 

The multi-talented all-South African touring cast, band and crew started rehearsals in Johannesburg in July ahead of an international tour to New Zealand and China.  The South African leg of the tour in association with BBC First brings Chicago back to Artscape, Cape Town from 15 March until 14 April 2019, thereafter heading to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg from 20 April to 26 May 2019. Booking is open at Computicket.

After eleven years, this sensual, seductive smash hit musical returns to these venues bringing back one of this country’s most successful theatre productions.  And, back for the show are leads Samantha Peo and Ilse Klink, as well as Craig Urbani who reprises the role of the devious lawyer, Billy Flynn in South Africa while Jonathan Roxmouth plays this role in New Zealand and China. Also returning to the show is KJ Haupt with Carmen Pretorius and Grant Towers joining the company in principal roles.

Ensemble members from Chicago‘s  2005 and 2008 seasons, also returning to the show are husband and wife, Ferdi Gernandt and Diani Gernandt and Tandi Gavin as the Hungarian murderess, Hunyak.  The remainder of the Chicago ensemble features Lesego van Niekerk, Raquel Munn, Natasha van der Merwe, Brittané van Loggerenberg, Jenna Child, Alexandra Girard, Jarryd Nurden, Michael Fullard, Hugo Madeleyn, Craig Arnolds, Thamsanqa Njoko, Sibusiso Mxosana, Darren Greef and Stephan van der Walt.

Produced by Showtime Management in association with Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian Chicago has a combined South African and international creative team including Associate Director, Tania Nardini and Re-creation of New York Production Choreography by Gary Chryst, both of whom have staged Chicago across multiple continents. Award-winning Musical Director, Bryan Schimmel will lead the 11-piece orchestra and the sexy, stylish ensemble will once again razzle-dazzle South African audiences.  This great musical is simply … Broadway at its best.

Chicago has everything that makes Broadway and the West End great – a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another, including Razzle Dazzle; the sexiest, most sensational dancing and a sharply sophisticated set which incorporates the live orchestra.

Chicago continues to be one of the most successful international musical hits of all time. Chicago‘s international appeal stems from its enticing tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery-characteristics the entire world is drawn to.

Book now for Chicago 2019 by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000 or book on line at www.computicket.com  Computicket is the official ticketing partner for the Chicago ‘The Musical’, and tickets should not be purchased from any other supplier/outlets.

SHOW INFORMATION

Cape Town:

Artscape Opera House

Friday, 15 March to Sunday, 14 April 2019

 Johannesburg

Montecasino’s Teatro

Saturday, 20 April to Sunday, 26 May 2019

SHOW TIMES:

No Monday performances

Weekdays: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 20h00

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

SPECIAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY SHOW TIMES: 

CAPE TOWN:  Thursday, 21 March: 3pm & 8pm

JOHANNESBURG: Monday, 22 April: 3pm.

Wednesday, 01 May:  3pm & 8pm

TICKET PRICES including VAT

Midweek: R200, R250, R320, R400

Weekend:  R250, R320, R420, R500

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 – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday

and Sunday 6pm performances only valid for the top two prices.

Contact Jill Somers on 079 218 1658, sales@showtime.co.za

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PG is advised owing to adult themes

MONTECASINO GROUP HOSPITALITY PACKAGES:

(20+ tickets) montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com or 011 367 4250

The post Chicago appeared first on Stage and Screen.

With compliments of Showtime Management, we are giving away tickets to Chicago; The Musical, for both Cape Town and Johannesburg audiences.

Up for grabs, are two double tickets to the 20:00 performance on Tuesday, 30 April 2019, at the Teatro in Montecasino.  Each ticket is valued at R320, with a total value of R640.00 for the set… and it also includes All That Jazz…..

Chicago will be on stage of the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town from 15 March  to 14 April, before touring up to the Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg from 20 April to 26 May.

This devilishly delicious musical and its all-South African cast has brought cheering audiences to their feet in New Zealand, across China and soon in South Africa. If you are not lucky enough to win the tickets through this competition, you can still get yours from Computicket.

Chicago Competition is now Closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on Thursday, 18 April 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 Chicago, The Musical appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Over half a century since the world premiere of the original production of King Kong – The Musical, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre bring this legendary and iconic musical ‘home’ to Johannesburg. The run comes hot off the Cape Town season, which is currently playing to five star reviews, rapturous responses and sold-out houses at the Fugard Theatre until 2 September.

Eric Abraham produces and presents this Fugard Theatre production, which runs from 12 September to 8 October 2017 at the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg.

The Fugard Theatre’s KING KONG is directed by Jonathan Munby who directed the Fugard Theatre’s production of A Human Being died that Night. Following King Kong, Munby directs Sir Ian McKellen in Shakespeare’s King Lear for the Chichester Festival in the UK.

The Fugard Theatre’s production sees Musical Direction by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (West Side Story, Funny Girl, Cabaret) and Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba with additional music and arrangements by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Cast in the title roles of King Kong South African, are actor, singer and dancer Andile Gumbi and multiple award-winning actress and singer-songwriter Nondumiso Tembewill. The Fugard Theatre’s KING KONG cast includes Sanda Shanduas Lucky, Tshamano Sebeas Jack, Ntambo Rapatla, Sne Dladlaas Pop, Lerato Mvelase and Sabelo Radebe.

Also performing with the ensemble are Joel Zuma, Ben Kgosimore, Athenkozi Mfamela, Shalom Zamisa, Sibusiso Mxosana, Aphiwe Menziwa, Namisa Mdlalose, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Lungelwa Mdekazi, Dolly Louw, Barileng Malebye, Edith Plaatjies, Rushney Ferguson and Given Mkhize.

A live 9-piece band, under the direction of Sipumzo Trueman Lucwaba, will accompany the action at every performance.

The original production featured music by Todd Matshikiza, lyrics and original book by Pat Williams and book by Harry Bloom. Songs such as Back of the Moon, King Kong and Sad Times, Bad Times, have become popular South African favourites and are firmly entrenched in this country’s musical history. Sales of the original recording achieved unprecedented numbers, with reviews such as “This for my money is the record of the year” (Rand Daily Mail) and ‘Five stars!” (Drum). The cast recording was the first release of an all-black production in South Africa and unusual in that the libretti was included with the LP, which normally only happens with opera recordings. Arthur Goldreich designed the sets for the original production with original musical direction by Stanley Glasser.

KING KONG will run at the the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Johannesburg from 12 September until 8 October 2017, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm with a 3pm matinee performance on Saturdays and 2pm matinee on Sundays. The Mandela Theatre is situated at 163 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein. Tickets range from R150 to R350.

Bookings for the Johannesburg season can be made at Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za or through the Joburg Theatre Box Office on 0861670670 or 011 877 6855.

For further information visithttp://www.kingkongstagemusical.com

The post King Kong appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

It is not the first time I have had the privilege to review a Fugard Theatre Production, but it is the first time I am writing about a production performed at the Fugard Theatre. Being in Cape Town is always an experience for a Gautenger like me, and to see a professional musical like Funny Girl  on its home stage, completes a perfect visit. I was pleasantly surprised with the Fugard Theatre itself, it has a very nice, intimate, friendly and arty feel. I think it is a brilliant idea for out of towners to include a visit to this theatre when traveling to Cape Town.

After a successful run of West Side Story in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and returning to the stage in 2018, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have produced the 1964 Broadway hit, Funny Girl, The Musical – the stage production most theatre critics say was Barbra Streisand’s big break when she played the lead role in the original production at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Even though it is a treat to see experienced musical theatre actors and actresses perform, nothing beats that feeling of being impressed and blown away by performers I have seen for the first time in a lead or prominent role. The Fugard Theatre is becoming a key player in providing these opportunities with the likes of Shaun Smit in Rocky Horror, and most recently Lynelle Kenned in West Side Story. With Funny Girl, they did not disappoint.

With names in the cast becoming more and more familiar to the regular theatre junkie like myself, Funny Girl did not fall short at all. But I have to elaborate on two of the performances that made me excited for what is to come in the future.

In the lead role, playing Fanny Brice, is the remarkable Ashleigh Harvey. Harvey has also appeared on the cast list for Rocky Horror, and Shrek – the Musical, but Funny Girl is the production where she has really imprinted her talent in the industry. The role is complicated in my view, as it needs a strong voice, and also an actress that plays a not-so-clever, naïve girl, who grows into a mature lady towards the end. Harvey was outstanding, because she was funny when she needed to be, sincere when the role required it to be, and also forced complete silence in the audience when she showed off her vocal abilities. In character, she also does look like a Fanny…

The performance I remember most distinctly, is that of Cameron Botha, in the role of Eddie Ryan. His credits in musical theatre include performances in West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Peter Pan Pantomime, as well as a whole lot of Afrikaans productions. Even though these were smaller roles, Botha is getting sexier and more mature as an actor in his own right. The distinct characteristic of an impressive performance, is someone who owns the stage, consumes the attention of the audience member, making the stage look small and irrelevant. This was Botha on the night.

The rest of the Funny Girl Company includes Clyde Berning, Kate Normington, who also played her role brilliantly as always, Diane Wilson, Michelle Maxwell, Grant Towers and well known acting veteran, Mike Huff. The boys in the ensemble cast includes Sven Eric Muller, Sibusiso Mxosana, and Daniel Fisher.

The ladies added the snazzy, glitz and sex appeal needed to complete the cast line-up. Lucy Tops, Jenna Robinson-Child, Tyla Nurden and Tamryn van Houten played their roles with a high standard, alongside the more experienced Ambre Chanel Fulton, Michele La Trobe, and one of our most promising theatre actresses, LJ Nielson.

Innovative sets, and smooth transitions between scenes is also something that is mostly overlooked by many patrons, but for me, it is something that can make, or break a pertinent element of a stage production, namely the flow of the show. With a revolving stage, Saul Radomsky designed a set that promotes such a suave flow between scenes, which does not distract the audience from the story unfolding.

Even the costumes were classically appropriate for a story that plays off in the 1960’s, and I think Birrie le Roux did a fashionably remarkable job in designing them. Daniel Galloway and Benjamin du Plessis were responsible for illuminating the stage, and Mark Malherbe completed the creative team as the sound designer.

One of South Africa’s top maestros, and also resident Musical Director to the Fugard Theatre, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, was in charge of the music. Louisa Talbot, also with a remarkable resume, worked out the moves, as choreographer for Funny Girl. The music was powerful and classical, swing and cabaret at times, but whatever the genre, it was melodically orchestrated. The dances, moves and steps, were in sync with the music, and under the leadership of multi-award winning director, Matthew Wild, the production of Funny Girl was set to be a success from the word go.

Us in Gauteng pray with you Cape Townians for rain, but Don’t let it Rain on My Parade.

You can visit www.thefugard.com for show times, and ticketing information.

This review was edited by Bronwyn Kerry.  Photos courtesy of the Fugard Theatre

The post Funny Girl appeared first on Stage and Screen.

After receiving rave reviews across the board from critics and audiences alike, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre’s grand-scale, smash hit, all South African production of West Side Story will be presented at the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre by popular demand from 24 January 2017.

West Side Story ended a staggeringly successful, sold-out run at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town last year, and was the Fugard Theatre’s first out-of-house production, five years on from the theatre’s official launch in 2010.

West Side Story, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim’s musical theatre masterpiece, is based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins and is arguably one of the world’s greatest musicals. The stellar creative team is headed by Matthew Wild (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl) as director, Charl-Johan Lingjnfelder (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl) as musical director and conductor, and choreographer Louisa Talbot (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Funny Girl). The Fugard Theatre team has selected the finest South African talent for this production that first premiered on Broadway in New York in 1957. The superb cast of 40 is backed by a full Philharmonic Orchestra playing Bernstein’s magnificent score that includes iconic songs such as “Something’s Coming”, “Maria“, “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight“.

Reprising their roles as Tony, Maria and Bernardo respectively, will be Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winners Jonathan Roxmouth (Topsy Turvy, A Handful of Keys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Phantom of the Opera) as Tony and Lynelle Kenned (Orpheus in Africa, Showboat, The Sound of Music) as Maria and Christopher Jaftha (The Sleeping Beauty, High School Musical) as Bernardo. Sharing the title role once more with Ms. Kenned will be the London-based actress and opera singer Filipa van Eck (Carmen, L’Aggripina) who will perform the role of Maria once a week. Bianca le Grange (Blood Brothers, District Six Kanala, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) returns to reprise her role of Anita.

The Jets gang is led once again by Fleur du Cap nominee Stephen Jubber (Annie, Showboat) as Riff, backed by a superb cast that includes Daniel Buys (Cabaret, Saturday Night Fever) and Grant Almirall (Singin’ in the Rain, Jersey Boys) as Action. Mr. Buys will perform the role of Action from 24 January to 18 February 2017 and Mr. Almirall will perform the role from 19 February to 5 March 2017. Sven–Eric Müller (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Diesel, Cameron Botha (Singin’ in the Rain, Sweeney Todd) as Snowboy, Clive Gilson (Sister Act, High School Musical) as Big Deal, LJ Neilson (Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing) as Anybody’s, Elzanne Crause (A Thousand Shepherds, Queen at the Ballet, The Phantom of the Opera) as Velma, Kristin Wilson (So You Think You Can Dance, Private Presley) as Graziella, Tamryn van Houten (Private Presley) as Minnie and Caitlin Clerk (Sister Act, Showboat) as Pauline. Adrian Galley (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret), returns as Doc. Brendan Murray (Amadeus, Romeo and Juliet) will perform the role of Krupke alternating with Richard Lothian (An Absolute Turkey, Taming of the Shrew) who will once again be the fight choreographer.

Christopher Jaftha, now a well-known Top Billing presenter, leads the Sharks as Bernardo, with Zolani Shangase (The Lion King, Orpheus in Africa) as Chino, Carlo McFarlane (Footloose- The Musical, A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits) as Pepe, Duane Williams (Honey 3, Cinderella: If the Shoe Fits) as Indio, Thami Njoko (Swan Lake) as Luis, Tevin Wiener (Honey 3) as Toro, Sabelo Radebe (Peter Pan) as Nibbles, Kirsten Rossiter (Grease, Jersey Boys) as Rosalia, Chloe Perling (The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret) as Consuela, Sarah-Ann van der Merwe (Reik Na Die Sterre) as Francisca, Natasha Hess (District Six Kanala, Orpheus in Africa) as Estella and Ipeleng Merafe (Swan Lake, A Thousand Shepherds) as Teresita. Tamryn van Houten (Private Presley, Spartacus of Africa),  Sibusiso Mxosana (Spartacus of Africa, Spring and Fall), Gemma Trehearn (Iris Warriors, A Thousand Shepherds) and Nurit Graff (Dirty Dancing, Showboat) complete the talented line up of remarkable performers.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, the tale is set in the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City in the mid-1950s. The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two street gangs of different backgrounds. The members of the Sharks are taunted by the Jets. The young protagonist, Tony, a former member of the Jets and best friend of the gang leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and the focus on social conflict marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

West Side Story is a must-see that is guaranteed to be a highlight on Johannesburg’s 2017 theatre calendar.

The season will run from 24 January to 5 March 2017 and tickets are now on sale through 021 461 4554, Computicket, 08619158000 or from the Joburg Theatre directly. Given the anticipation about this stellar musical and how the Cape Town season sold out, advance booking is highly recommended. The producers recommend an age restriction of 12 years with parental guidance. ADVANCE BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED. 

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