From a showstopper musical to a poignant one-hander: not to be missed stage productions

Following a successful run in Cape Town, “CHICAGO The Musical” is headed to Joburg. 

And if you are looking for a showstopper musical, this show, featuring a 23-member all-South African cast, an 11-piece band, and a crew and creative team, has already been receiving rave reviews for its sublime choreography, flawless execution, and jaw-dropping production value.

Kiruna-Lind Devar plays Roxie Hart, a chorus girl turned murderess, while Samantha Peo takes on the iconic role of Velma Kelly, a renowned Vaudeville performer and fellow murderess. Tankiso Mamabolo portrays Matron Mama Morton, the tough yet savvy character.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Roxmouth slips into the skin of the charismatic yet devious lawyer, Billy Flynn, Dean de Klerk plays Amos Hart (Roxie’s husband) and M.E. Marvey is cast as Mary Sunshine, an upbeat reporter. 

"CHICAGO" a timeless musical, captures the very essence of what makes Broadway and the West End so extraordinary, making it one of the most triumphant productions ever staged.

The catchy jazz-infused tracks include “All That Jazz”, “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle”. 

This production presents a potent cocktail of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.

Where: Montecasino’s Teatro.

When: October 3 to November 16, show times vary.

Beauty in the Broken

If you are looking for a more poignant, intimate offering, then actress and author Gaynor Young’s one-woman show is worth checking out. 

Following a two-decade hiatus, she is back to inspire with her heartrending tale of how her life changed forever in 1989. 

Cast as Guinevere in “Camelot”, she fell 18 storeys due to an unguarded lift shaft. Aside from suffering multiple serious injuries, she also found herself permanently deaf. 

However, her tenacity to rebuild her life despite the devastating blow manifested in two acclaimed productions: “My Plunge to Fame” and “Gaynor Rising”

Twenty years later, she is sharing her next chapter with this production. 

Young shared, “I was broken once. My world was shattered. But I found a way to live again. Looking back, I see the beauty in those broken pieces - the gold threads of love, resilience and hope. My mom was the river of gold that held me together. ‘Beauty in the Broken’ is the story of what’s happened since.”

This powerful reflection explores trauma, healing, and the remarkable human ability to overcome adversity.

Where: Theatre on the Square. 

When: Runs until October 5.