Musical – Sarafina Magazine

A Conversation with Penny Simpson

Penny Simpson is a costume designer and visual artist. After completing her theatre design studies at Sadlers Wells Design School, she returned to South Africa and began her career by joining CAPAB and designing for several of their productions. She has devoted more than 40 years to the theatre industry and has designed costumes for notable productions including; Hadrian VII, Miss Julie, Mother Courage and her Children, Present Laughter, Relatively Speaking, Show Boat, The Diary of Anne Frank, Exit the King and Fiddler on the Roof, to name a few. Her most recent theatrical credits include; Blood Brothers, Sunset Boulevard, Cabaret and Rocky Horror. During the last several years, Penny has focused her attention on portrait painting. Several of her paintings can be seen displayed in the foyer of Theatre on The Bay. Currently. Penny has returned to her theatrical roots by designing the costumes featured in Mel Brooks’ The Producers, which is currently running at Theatre on The Bay followed by a run at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino in Johannesburg.

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February 19, 2020February 19, 2020 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Advice, Art, Artist, Arts, Cape Town, Conversation, Costume Designer, Designer, Interview, Joburg, Johannesburg, Musical, Now Playing, Painter, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Theatre on The Bay, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: CAPAB, Cape Town, Costume Designer, Costumes, Designer, Interview, Montecasino, Musical, Painter, Penny Simpson, Photography, Pieter Toerien, Portrait painter, Rocky Horror, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sarafina Magazine, South Africa, The Producers, Theater, Theatre, Theatre on The Bay Leave a comment

A Conversation with Rushney Ferguson

Rushney Ferguson is a triple threat performer from Cape Town having completed her advanced I.S.T.D training in Modern, Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre, including Associate qualifications, at the Waterfront Theatre School. Her theatre career started with David Kramer’s District Six: Kanala, Amper Famous and Langarm for which she received a Fleur du Cap nomination. Rushney also Dance Captained and starred in the revival of King Kong: Legend of a Boxer at The Fugard Theatre. Choreographically, she works regularly behind the scenes with many local artists like Emo Adams: Brother Love 2, Emo Celebrates 30 Years in Music and the live finale of Maak My Famous. She recently appeared as Juanita in David Kramer’s new musical Danger in the Dark which returns to the Baxter Theatre in March 2020. She is currently starring as Abigail in Aunty Merle: It’s a Girl!, the highly anticipated sequel based on Marc Lottering’s beloved character, Aunty Merle. Continue reading →

December 18, 2019January 22, 2020 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Advice, Arts, Baxter, Cape Town, Comedy, Conversation, Dancer, Fleur du Cap, Interview, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, South Africa, The Baxter, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Abigail, Actor, Actress, Advice, Aunty Merle, Aunty Merle: It's a Girl!, Cape Town, Conversation, Danger in the Dark, David Kramer, Fleur du Cap, Marc Lottering, music, Musical, Rushney Ferguson, Singer, The Baxter, Theater, Waterfront Theater College, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Didintle Khunou

Didintle Khunou is an award-winning screen actor, theatre performer, voice actor and session vocalist. Best known for her portrayal of one of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, Celie, in the Grammy, Tony and Naledi Award-winning musical, The Color Purple directed by award-winning director Janice Honeyman at the Joburg Theatre. Didintle was honoured with the Naledi Award as well as the Broadway World Online Award for her performance as Celie. She played Yerma in an adaptation of Yerma, directed by Rajesh Gopie and was also seen in Joburg Theatre’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s epic play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Didintle has had numerous television appearances including Mamello, Single Galz and The Throne. She is currently starring as Janet in the South African tour of The Rocky Horror Show.
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December 11, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Advice, Artist, Arts, Artscape, Cape Town, Conversation, Dancer, Interview, Joburg, Johannesburg, music, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Pieter Toerien, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actor, Actress, Cape Town, Celie, Conversation, Didintle Khunou, Janet, music, Musical, Musical Theatre, Naledi Award, Photography, Pieter Toerien, Rocky Horror, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Singer, The Color Purple, Theater, Theatre, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Alexis Petersen

Alexis Petersen is a UCT Performance Diploma Graduate who majored in Western Classical Voice. She has performed on various stages both nationally and internationally. Alexis has performed in several musical theatre productions including Calling Us Home, The Little Mermaid and David Kramer’s Langarm. Her opera credits include FOUR:30, Le nozze di Figaro and La traviata. With a strong passion for dance, she has also competed as a ballroom dancer, dancing under the Federation of Dance Sport South Africa. She also features as a vocalist in a unique contemporary trio called Inside Voice. Alexis is currently starring at the Baxter Theatre as Pamela in Danger in the Dark, David Kramer’s re-imagining of the Kramer/Petersen ’90s hit, Poison. Continue reading →

October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Advice, Art, Arts, Baxter, Cape Town, Conversation, Dance, Dancer, Interview, music, Musical, Now Playing, Opera, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, The Baxter, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Vocalist, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Advice, Alexis Peterson, Baxter Theatre, Calling Us Home, Conversation, Danger in the Dark, David Kramer, Interview, Langarm, music, Musical, Pamela, Photography, Poison, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, Theater, Theatre, UCT, Vocalist, Western Classical Voice, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Kyra Loubser

Kyra Loubser is a Cape Town-based hair and makeup artist, stylist and beauty editor for Kuier Magazine. Initially entering the industry as a hairdresser, Kyra was introduced to the world of television with M-Net working as part of the styling team for the Miss Soweto Pageant. She then went on to be a part of the styling team for the Miss South Africa Pageant, which she considers to be a career-defining moment. Kyra was then approached by Idols winner, Karin Kortje to do her styling, hair and makeup which jumpstarted her career as a stylist, hair and makeup artist and saw her work expanding into theatre. This led to introductions to names such as Alistair Izobell and Kim Engelbrecht. About a year later, she was offered the position as Tracey Lange’s stylist for Bravo! on Kyknet. Kyra also spends her time mentoring and upskilling four ‘Kyra Fairies’ who have shown an interest and passion for the industry. Her work has spanned TV, film and theatre but it’s her latest project, which sees her designing and creating the makeup looks featured in Kinky Boots at the Fugard Theatre, that has everyone buzzing. Continue reading →

July 31, 2019September 26, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Advice, Art, Artist, Arts, Cape Town, Conversation, Culture, Designer, Interview, Makeup Artist, Musical, Now Playing, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Advice, Angels, Bravo!, Cape Town, Conversation, Entertainment, Film, Homebrew, Karin Kortje, Kinky Boots, Kuier Magazine, KykNet, Kyra Loubser, Lamees Albertus, Lola, Makeup Artist, MNet, Musical, Musical Theatre, Photography, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, This is My Life, Tracey Lange, Tussen Ons, TV, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Amra-Faye Wright

Amra-Faye Wright is an award-winning actress best known for portraying Velma Kelly in Chicago the Musical, both on Broadway, London’s West End and in international tours. She trained extensively as a classical and jazz dancer and began her career performing in the Spectacular Musical Revues at Sun City. She spent the following years developing her skills in many musical genres and obtained a diploma in Contemporary Music at Allenby College in Johannesburg, which has resulted in a versatile and eclectic performance style. After starring in Viva Sun City at Sun City Theatre, Amra-Faye left for Monte Carlo where she performed as lead artist in the world famous Cabaret du Casino for two years. Her gift for story-telling led her to write, and perform her first one-woman revue, Rouge Pulp, which enjoyed a sellout season and prompted her to write Drinks on Me and It’s Not Where I Start. In 2005, she was awarded the Naledi Theatre Award and the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for her performance in the South African production of Chicago. Continue reading →

July 10, 2019November 17, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Arts, Conversation, Culture, Dance, Dancer, Fleur du Cap, Interview, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Theatre Awards, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actor, Actress, Amra-Faye Wright, Ballet, Broadway, Chicago, Conversation, Dancer, Fleur du Cap, music, Musical, Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Actress, Naledi Award, New York, Performer, Photography, Singer, South Africa, South African, Theater, Theatre, Velma Kelly, West End, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Shelley Lothian

Shelley Lothian is an award-winning choreographer, director, singer, actress and dancer. Her performance credits include The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Boys in the Photograph, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Show Boat and Cabaret. She directed Chef, Rattle and Roll; The Purr Factory and Maybe Baby It’s You. She served as Resident Director on Janice Honeyman’s Show Boat, Matthew Wild’s Cabaret and West Side Story; David Kramer’s Orpheus in Africa and District Six- Kanala, and most recently King Kong with Jonathan Munby at the Fugard Theatre. She was also Associate Director on the international musical Tiger Bay. She has choreographed various productions including The King and I, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, District Six- Kanala and Sneeuwitjie. Shelley’s other choreographic credits include My Fair Lady; Chef, Rattle and Roll and Liefling – all of which received Naledi Theatre Award nominations, as well as Fiddler on the Roof and The Pirates of Penzance which both won the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Original Choreography. She is currently starring in the Fugard Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots where she also serves as Resident Director. Continue reading →

July 3, 2019September 26, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Arts, Cape Town, Choreographer, Conversation, Dance, Dancer, Director, Interview, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actress, Advice, Cape Town, Choreographer, Conversation, Dancer, Director, Kinky Boots, music, Musical, Naledi Award, Performer, Photography, Resident Director, Shelley Adriaanzen, Shelley Lothian, Singer, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Women 2 Comments

A Conversation with Lindy Abromowitz Sachs

Lindy Abromowitz Sachs is a performer and doctor. Having started her tertiary studies at UCT’s Opera School, she then changed tack completely and entered the medical world, graduating as a doctor six short years later. Whilst pursuing her medical career, she still managed to keep her love for theatre and performing alive by appearing in several films, commercials, as well as numerous musicals including Grease, The Sound of Music, Cats, Annie, District Six and the runaway hit Offbeat Broadway, which returns to Theatre on the Bay for its much anticipated fifth incarnation.

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April 24, 2019April 24, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Arts, Cape Town, Comedy, Conversation, Dancer, Interview, Musical, Now Playing, Opera, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Theatre on The Bay, Theatremaker, Uncategorized, Vocalist, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actor, Actress, Anton Luitingh, Cape Town, Cheryl Abromovitz, Conversation, Dancer, Doctor, Entertainment, Kinky Boots, LAMTA, Lindy Abromowitz, music, Musical, Musical Theatre, Offbeat Broadway, Paul du Toit, Photography, Pieter Toerien, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Theatre on The Bay, Vocalist, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Bethany Dickson

Bethany Dickson is a Naledi and Fleur du Cap Theatre Award nominated actress. For more than a decade, Bethany has been charming South African and international audiences by tackling some of musical theatres most iconic roles. After making her debut in High School Musical, she has since gone on to perform in Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard, The Sound of Music and Grease. We sat down with her to chat about her latest role, portraying Miss Honey in the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved classic, Matilda.
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December 19, 2018January 16, 2019 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Advice, Arts, Artscape, Cape Town, Conversation, Dancer, Interview, Joburg, Johannesburg, music, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actor, Actress, Advice, Bethany Dickson, Black Forest, Cape Town, Conversation, Dancer, Grease, GWB Entertainment, International, Interview, Lucy Brittany Woolley, Matilda, Miss Honey, Motherhood, music, Musical, Musical Theatre, Photography, Pieter Toerien, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, South Africa, Sunset Blvd, The Sound of Music, Theater, Theatre, Tour, Women Leave a comment

A Conversation with Kim Louis

Kim Louis made her professional debut at 17 years old in David Kramer and Taliep Petersen’s musical Poison. She then went on to star in Klop–Klop at the Baxter Theatre which celebrated the 10-year partnership between the two writer/composers. Following that, Kim reunited with David Kramer and Taliep Peterson once more when she was cast as Lucy Dixon in their hit musical, Kat and the Kings at the Baxter Theatre. The production received international attention and later went on to be performed on the West End and Broadway. Following her time on Broadway, Kim returned home and focused her attention on starting a family. She continued to feed her theatrical soul by performing at the Milnerton Playhouse Amateur Dramatic Society. Not long after joining, she won best female lead in the musical tribute to Carole King. Today, she is also a council member on the board of the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha and recently launched Centre Stage Vocal & Performance Coaching. After a 20 year hiatus, Kim is back on the professional stage starring as Dinah in David Kramer’s brand new musical, Langarm, which runs at the Fugard Theatre.

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December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 by Sarafina Magazine Categories: Actor, Actress, Arts, Candice van Litsenborgh, Cape Town, Conversation, Interview, Musical, Now Playing, Performer, Photography, Production, Sarafina, Sarafina Magazine, South Africa, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Uncategorized, Woman, Women, WomxnTags: Actor, Actress, Broadway, Candice van Litsenborgh, Canned Rice, Center Stage, Conversation, David Kramer, Interview, Kat and the Kings, Kim Louis, Langarm, music, Musical, Musical Theatre, Performance Coach, Performer, Photography, Poison, Sarafina Magazine, Singer, The Fugard, Theater, Theatre, Vocal Coach, West End, Women 1 Comment

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