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BY BILLY SUTER
RAY Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Alicia Keys and John Legend… just a few of the top acts represented in a new Durban showband entertainment, Rock ’n’ Roll Nerds: The Piano Greats.
This is the latest show lined up for the Rhumbelow Theatre branch at Tina’s Hotel, 14 Beryldene Road, Kloof, for 8pm from Wednesday to Saturday this week, July 11 to 13, and at 2pm on Sunday, July 14.
Treat yourself to a line-up of Durban’s finest ‘nerds’, including Kirsty van der Linde on saxophone, Andy Turrell on bass, Dylan van der Linde on drums, David Knott on lead guitar and Evan Cullum on piano and musical direction. Vocalists are Nicky Knott and Ofentse Mokhuane.
Tables seat six and tickets cost R150 each (R130 for pensioners). Book at Computicket or phone Roland Stansell at 082 499 8636.
Meanwhile, talking about Jerry Lee Lewis, note that multiple-award-winning singer-actor Jonathan Roxmouth is launching his tribute to the great rock ’n’ roll legend in Johannesburg this month.
Fresh from his success as Che in the international touring production of the musical Evita, Roxmouth will star in Great Balls of Fire at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino from July 18 to August 12.
Audiences can expect hits that shaped a generation – among them Roll Over Beethoven and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – played by Roxmouth at the piano and a hot six-piece band.
The show features Buddy Holly Stalwart Craig Urbani as Sam Philips and Paul Ditchfield of The Bats as Elmo Lewis. Cranking up the temperature will be Ashleigh Butcher (Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show, The Adventures of Peppa Pig) as Myra Gale Lewis.
Jerry Lee Lewis is widely regarded as the wild child of rock ’n’ roll. Since his meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s, he established himself as a performer of unbridled energy, passion and unmistakable piano pyrotechnics – literally and musically.
Whether driving audiences wild with his distinctive, pumping, piano style or setting the piano alight, the story of Jerry Lee Lewis is as fascinating as the string of gold records to his name.
Having paid tribute to famous pianists like Liberace in Call Me Lee and Marvin Hamlisch in I’m Playing Your Song, Roxmouth is back behind the piano for the first time in two years for the Jerry Lee Lewis show.
He once again joins forces with acclaimed director and choreographer Weslee Swain Lauder, he having enjoyed huge success staging Roxmouth’s sell-out concert, The Musicals, at the Teatro at Montecasino.
Great Balls of Fire is designed by Nadine Minaar, with lighting by Oliver Hauser and sound by Richard Smith.
Booking is at Computicket outlets.
.....SoSuterBill..... 