SISTER ACT comes to Jozi

Bernard Jay, Executive Producer for Joburg Theatre of Sister Act - the biggest musical in Joburg this year - is proud to announce the stellar South African cast of the country’s première production of the feel-amazing musical comedy.

 

Sister Act will open on the stage of The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on July 10th and runs until August 16th 2015.

 

Leading the cast will be Candida Mosoma as disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the top grossing 1992 movie comedy of the same name.

 

“The role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act is – arguably – the flashiest and most challenging written for a black female in recent musical theatre history,” says Bernard Jay.  “It’s a star role for a star personality with star attitude.  When Candida Mosoma walked into the audition room and started being Deloris from the first moment, we all knew we had found our star.”

Upon hearing the news of her lead casting, Mosoma excitingly stated; “It’s a little daunting stepping into Whoopi Goldberg’s shoes, but what an opportunity! I intend to grab it with both hands and can’t wait to make the role my own.”

 

This brand new ‘non-replica’ production of the musical Sister Act will be directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Rowan Bakker, choreography by Nicol Sheraton, production design by Declan Randall, costume design by Sarah Roberts and sound design by Trevor Peters. 

 

Joining Candida Mosoma, South African stage star Kate Normington will play Mother Superior (legendarily portrayed by Maggie Smith in the movie) and Keith Smith will play the pivotal role of Monsignor O’Hara.

 

Also cast are (in alphabetical order) Bjorn Blignaut, Caroline Borole, Vanessa Brierley, Caitlin Clerk, Anne-Marie Clulow, Elizca Coetzer, Judy Ditchfield, Toni Jean Erasmus, Trudy Fredericks, Germandt Geldenhuys, Zane Gillion, Clive Gilson, Themba January, Dolly Louw, Mervin Marvey, Noni Mkhonto, Phumi Mncayi, Dean Roberts, Brenda Sakellarides, Andrea Shine, Shelly Simon, Nqobile Sipamla, Lebo Toko, Carmen Tromp, L J Urbani, Natasha Van Der Merwe and Zano.

 

Sister Act in Joburg will be a creative collaboration and celebration of South African talent. Multi-award-winning South African director and writer Janice Honeyman is on board to direct.  “No-one in South Africa has proven herself to be in finer creative control of ‘non-replica’ mega-musical productions than Janice.  No-one knows the magic possibilities of The Mandela stage like Janice,” says Bernard Jay.  “I’m just so thrilled that she loves the show too and said yes!”

 

Bernard Jay produces Sister Act for Joburg Theatre, with Simon James and Claire Pacariz as associate producers.  Timothy Le Roux will serve as resident director.

 

The wittilly infectious musical is written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Oscar and Tony winning composer Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, etc).

 

The stage production premièred at the Pasadena Playhouse in California in 2006 and was produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment in London in 2009 - then on Broadway in 2011.  The musical was nominated for four Olivier Awards in London, including Best New Musical, and five Tony Awards in New York, including Best Musical.

 

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won’t be found: a convent!  Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior.  Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover.  Soon, the gang is giving chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

 

Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act leaves audiences breathless.  A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to rejoice!

 

The New York Times said of Sister Act: “When the wimples start quivering, the pinched mouths break into sunbeam smiles, and the nuns start rocking to raise the Gothic rafters, all’s right in the kingdom of musical comedy.”

 

The UK Telegraph said: “The cheers and standing ovation at the end were both genuine and deserved.  The book is strong, funny and touching.  The disco-inspired score by Disney favourite Alan Menken is a cracker.  Frankly, what’s not to like, especially when you’ve got a chorus line of jiving nuns singing their hearts out ecstatically?”

 

Sister Act is brought to South Africa by the City of Joburg in association with MNet and is on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from July 10th to August 16th.

 

The show will run from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. 

 

Tickets range from R200 – R350 and are exclusively available from www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670. 

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling Joburg Theatre on (011) 877 6853/6815.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka with JYO in “A Night with the Stars”

The incomparable Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka will be starring alongside the talented Johannesburg Youth Orchestra for two shows only in “A Night with the Stars” at The Joburg Theatre on Saturday 27 June at 7:30pm and Sunday 28 June at 3pm.

Performing a selection of her unforgettable hits that made her the music icon she is today, audiences will delight in the orchestral interpretations of Motherland, Umquombothi, Natural Woman, Let the children live to name but a few.

Yvonne will be joined on stage by South African X-Factor winners FOUR who have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their win, the soulful Monde Msutwana, Annemarie Steenkamp and Mzansi Youth Choir to ensure a 2-hour musical experience not to be missed.

Says Susan Rendall, Chief Executive Officer of Johannesburg Youth Orchestra; “It is such a privilege to work with a lady such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka who has achieved so much in her musical career, but has not forgotten he roots and where she started. What a role model for our students and an honour for them to be able to learn from her.”

 

Chaka Chaka responds; “There’s so much we can learn from young blood if only we were to nurture their talents and not calculate wisdom using their age. I am thrilled to be sharing the stage with this young talent,  as we celebrate youth month.  I have no doubt the orchestra and performers will blow our minds as they perform their interpretation of hits made in the 80’s performed by youngsters born in the 80s and 90s.”

 

Operating in Soweto, Johannesburg, Evaton and Sebokeng, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company (JYOC) is a centre of musical excellence in instrumental tuition. Responding to the needs of the youth in all communities, the JYOC is a meeting place for over 600 young people with musical aspirations. Almost 300 of the students are members of one of 10 graded ensembles and orchestras which cater for all levels of competence.

Rendall adds; “The JYO, under the direction of Eddie Clayton, has risen to extraordinary heights and continues to amaze all who hear them.”

For more information, please contact the JYOC office at

Phone:                        011-484 1257

Email:                      info@orchestracompany.org.za

Board of Directors: Craig Barendsen, James Bassingthwaighte, Susan Harrop-Allin, Yusuf Justin Holcroft, Pops Mohamed, Bryan Schimmel, Dale Smith and Susan Rendall

 

A Night with the Stars with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and the JYO is being staged for 2 shows only on Saturday,  27 June at 7:30pm and Sunday, 28 June at 3pm.

 

Tickets range from R150 – R300 and can be booked online at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling the Joburg Theatre Box Office on 0861 670 670. 

 

For group bookings of 10 or more tickets, contact the Theatre's ticketing office on (011) 877 6815 / 6853.

The Geneva Ballet debuts at Joburg Theatre

The Geneva Ballet (Grand Théâtre de Genève) debuts in Johannesburg in June at the Mandela, Joburg Theatre.  

After recent visits to Cape Town and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the world-renowned Geneva Ballet, under the direction of Philippe Cohen, opens on Wednesday June 17 with Roméo & Juliette at The Mandela, Joburg Theatre and runs to Sunday June 21, 2015 for a limited season of 6 shows only.

During its Johannesburg season the company will celebrate the anniversary of the 100^th performance of this production of Roméo & Juliette.

Established in Switzerland at the start of the 19th Century, the Geneva Ballet is known for its rich repertoire of neo-classical and contemporary dance styles featuring highly skilled classically trained dancers and top choreographers.  

Joëlle Bouvier, one of several guest choreographers invited by the Geneva Ballet to enrich its repertoire, has with this production of Roméo & Juliette, re-imagined Shakespeare’s classic tragedy as a contemporary piece, re-visiting the ballet in an inventive way.  She has taken the essence of the story, its fundamental characteristics and choreographed around that rather than sticking strictly to the details of the play.  She turns the sequence of the traditional classic upside down - conversely beginning with the funeral ceremony and working retrospectively back to the beginning. It is driven musically by the strong, stirring music of the composer Prokofiev.

“Together, we unite our bodies into the gentleness and fury of this music; we let ourselves be inspired by the rhythm and its poetic nature to compose body movements, lifts, motions and fractures. All describe the passionate adventure of the two lovers”, says Bouvier.

 

The elegance of the costumes and the stage decor is offset by the vitality of the fight scenes, as the 22-dancer strong company creates a dynamic energy and an eye-catching aesthetic.

“Bouvier has stripped everything down, creating movement which, while technically challenging, innovative, and incredibly beautiful, never feels forced, and a plot consisting of only the most integral events.  It is as if she were leaving it up to the viewer to decide the specifics of who these two people are, what defines them, and what draws them simultaneously together and apart; and, of course, these are the questions which make this story timelessly relevant.”     Ann Rogovoy, The Rogovoy Report (USA)

 

The company is considered one of the most original dance companies in Europe, excelling in variations of the classical ballet vernacular through innovative artistic collaborations. With an average age of 25, Geneva Ballet is a company that features youthful dancers from around the world and includes the South African Angela Rebelo, niece of well-known South African actors Nicky Rebelo and Jennifer Steyn Rebelo.

 

As a major component of its two-week long visit to Johannesburg, the Geneva Ballet company, with a focus on choreography in a variety of forms and expression, will be involved in a collaborative project with South African choreographers and dancers. This unique project will involve four local choreographers, Gregory Maqoma, Mamela Nyamza, PJ Sabbagha and Fana Tshabalala with Nathanaël Marie from the Geneva Ballet and will take place at the Soweto Theatre, the Dance Space in Newtown, University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture and at the Hillbrow Theatre from June 8 - 14. The creative result of this collaboration will be showcased in partnership at the Soweto and Wits Theatres on June 13 and 14 respectively.

 

The Geneva Ballet Johannesburg 2015 visit has been made possible thanks to the support of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia. The Johannesburg season is as a result of the close collaboration between the Joburg Theatre, Geneva Ballet and Zelda Productions and with further support from the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa and the collaborative effort of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in South Africa.

 

Roméo & Juliette performances are from Wednesday 17 June - Friday 19 June at 8pm, Saturday 20 June at 3pm & 8pm and Sunday 21 June at 2pm.

Tickets  range from R180 to R350 and are on sale via the Joburg Theatre website www.joburgtheatre.com  or by calling the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.  

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling 011 877 6853.

ELVIS THE SHOW with NATHAN BELT

No one can compare to the King of Rock Elvis Presley, he will always be a legend to all ages, races, cultures and generations. No one can compare, however Nathan Belt is one of the best impersonators of Elvis and one of the best talents in the business.

Being a fan from a young age, one could definitely be skeptical when people pay tribute to legends and stars, both deceased and alive. However Nathan Belt has definitely put those worries aside with his tribute of the great legend. His voice and looks are an uncanny resemblance to Elvis. Nathan has the same husky deepness in his voice that caused girls of all ages to fall in love him all those years ago.

 There is a night full of Elvis’s classics in store, including Jail house rock, blue suede shoes, love me tender, can’t help falling in love and many more to get the audience up and dancing.

Nathan Belt, all the way from Nashville, graces Johannesburg with his presence and brings Elvis back to life. “Nathan Belt is respected and applauded worldwide for his unique tribute to Elvis Presley.”

 Although there were similarities between Elvis the Show and Whitney Houston, it did not defer from the greatness of both shows, as well as how professional the cast and crew were. This is not a show to be missed if you are a fan of the King.

Returning to The Mandela Theatre or the Joburg Theatre from the 26^th of February to the 8^th of March. Ticket prices range from R120 to R280. The only thing missing,was my partner in crime Ghia, next time girl!!!

Shannalee Doran 

The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Show

Possibly one of the best tribute shows ever made to date!

This brilliant concert featuring South Africa’s own Belinda Davids is equal parts fun, touching and uplifting. Accompanied by a live band and dancers, Davids pays tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers by performing over 2 hours of Houston’s pop hits.

 

And there is no person better equipped to do so. In addition to having a voice described as “jaw-droppingly similar” to the pop diva, Davids openly acknowledges that Houston is her personal idol and was the original inspiration for her own career when she began singing at the age of 14.

 

“I want people to come and remember Whitney when she was at the top of her game and when she was fabulous”, says Davids.

 

And people all over the world have done exactly that, with South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the USA already hosting sold-out performances in the show’s first year of touring.

 

The show includes over 20 of Houston’s most popular tracks taken from the full span of her career, including ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, ‘Didn’t We Almost Have It All’, ‘I’m Every Woman’, ‘Exhale (Shoop Shoop)’, ‘Million Dollar Bill’ and more.

 

Davids will again be directed by Showtime Management CEO John Van Grinsven Snr. and joined on tour by the production team responsible for the worldwide hit show Michael Jackson HIStory starring Kenny Wizz.

The show concluded yesterday, 15 February after almost a month of incredible performances.

By Ghia ten Doeschate

Brazouka

The story of a fisherboy who is discovered by a talent scout in his village in Brazil. The show portrays his struggles and success, through dance! The dancers were absolutely stunning, with bodies that would make anyone weak at the knees.

Braz Dos Santos, the former fisherboy, stars in the play and is full of life and ready to have a good time.

Listen to the audio here.

By Ghia ten Doeschate