Opening at Artscape, Cape Town from Wednesday, 06 March 2024, for a limited season and thereafter moving to Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg opening on Friday, 12 April 2024, the all-South African stellar cast of the new look production of MAMMA MIA! will be “singing out loud” for “somewhere in the crowd, there’s you”. Tickets are on sale at www.showtime.co.za and www.ticketmaster.co.za
Boasting a cast featuring South Africa’s finest stars of stage, film and television, Mamma Mia! is 2024’s hottest ticket for fun-filled family entertainment. In the 2010/11 SA production of MAMMA MIA!, “Donna and the Dynamos” captivated audiences with their wit, talent and dynamic vocals. Showtime Management is proud to announce the 2024 return of these “Dynamos” played by three multi award-winning actresses back in their MAMMA MIA! roles. Gina Shmukler (Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess, Showboat) is the vulnerable mother-of-the bride, Donna Sheridan, while Kate Normington (Storm in a B Cup, Rocky Horror, Nunsense, Showmax’s Tali series) plays the role of the flirtatious Tanya, and Ilse Klink (Chicago The Musical, Isidingo, 7de Laan, Ellen Pakkies) is the free-spirited, fiesty Rosie. “We are delighted to bring Gina, Kate and Ilse back to the stage in roles that they are born to play,” says Showtime’s Hazel Feldman. “We expect new audiences will easily fall in love with their colourful characters and returning audiences will re-connect with the sparkling chemistry these three wonderful actresses bring to MAMMA MIA!”
Joining the Dynamo’s on stage is Kiruna-Lind Devar (Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Simply Broadway) as the bride-to-be, Sophie Sheridan. Gianluca Gironi (The Sound of Music, The Buddy Holly Story, LAMTA’s Spring Awakening) plays Sophie’s fiancée, Sky.
Actor, businessman and conservationist, Emmanuel Castis (Isidingo, Jersey Boys, Strictly Come Dancing) will delight audiences in the role of the charismatic Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s three possible fathers. “Dad number two” candidate is Matt Newman (Rocky Horror, The Crown, Resident Evil for Netflix) in the role of Harry Bright, and Tiaan Rautenbach (Isidingo, Aspoestertjie, Generations) who recently captivated audiences locally and abroad as Buddy in We Will Rock You, is Bill Austin, another possible father of the bride.
Sophie’s friends Ali and Lisa are played by Ntshikeng Matooane (Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night) and Sunny Yoon (La Boheme, Don Pasquale, The Magic Flute) with Chad Baai (kykNET’s Arendsvlei, David Kramer’s Danger in the Dark, Fame) and Bradley Smith (LAMTA’s Come Together, Mowbray Ballet Academy’s production of Peter Pan and Tinkle Bell) as Sky’s friends, Pepper and Eddie.
The energy, movement, and spirit that the highly talented ensemble brings to the show will have audiences singing along and clapping with fervour. The female ensemble includes Jackie Lulu, Tannah Levick, Ashleigh Butcher, Nicolette Fernandes, Chantal Stanfield, Carmen Pretorius and Alexandra Girard who is also the dance captain. The male ensemble features Stuart Brown, Austin Tshikosi, Justin Swartz, Michael Fullard, Gareth Meijsen, Ryan Flynn and Dirk Joubert.
The musicians playing live at every performance are Musical Director, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder on keyboard. Daniel Geddes, also on keys is the Assistant Musical Director. Luca De Bellis (drums and percussion), Bradley Prince (first guitar) and Nicholas Ford (bass) make up the touring band while Kuba Silkiewicz will play second guitar at Cape Town performances, with Kieran Woolmington playing the Johannesburg season.
Featuring a full South African cast, crew and band the creative team is led by the award-winning legendary director and thespian, Janice Honeyman; working with Choreographer, Duane Alexander; Musical Director, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder; Resident/Associate Director – Timothy Le Roux; scenic and lighting design by Denis Hutchinson; sound design by Mark Malherbe and costume design by Susan Daniels. Alistair Kilbee of Gearhouse Splitbeam is the Technical Director and Peter Taylor is the Company Manager.
Produced by leading SA promoter Showtime Management, this major international “guaranteed feel-good musical” features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including Knowing Me, Knowing You; Dancing Queen; I Have a Dream; Voulez Vous and many more.
