…..SoSuterBill…..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
BY BILLY SUTER

THE SEXY and sensational Kander and Ebb musical, Chicago, reaches the South African leg of its international tour soon – and great news is that this site has double tickets to give away to see the show in Johannesburg and Cape Town (sadly, Durban is not on the itinerary).

One set of prize double tickets is to see the show at Cape Town’s Artscape Opera House at 8pm on  Tuesday, March 19, while the other prize double tickets are to see the musical at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg, at 8pm on Tuesday, April 30.  These are the only dates available to the prize-winners,

Each ticket is valued at R320, making each prize worth R640.

Details on how to enter the competition appear at the end of this story.

It would be criminal to miss Chicago, a sassy show centred on a nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin.

The story of the award-winning Broadway and West End musical show unfolds to showstopping songs including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Mister Cellophane.

The multi-talented all-South African touring cast, band and crew began rehearsals in Johannesburg in August 2018 before an international, year-long tour that began in New Zealand. First stop was Auckland, followed by Wellington, where audiences were dazzled and critics raved.

During October, the show moved to China, opening at the Grand Theatre in Chongqing. Three more engagements followed in October before the show opened in Beijing in November, ran in Guangzhou in December and ran in Shanghai  in December and January.

The company returned to South Africa late in January this year, ahead of the South African leg of the tour in association with BBC First.

Chicago will be at Artscape, Cape Town, from March 15 to April 14, thereafter heading to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg from April 20 to May 26. Booking is open at Computicket.

After the South African season the South African international company will be touring Europe.

Originally staged in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2005 and again, owing to popular demand, in 2008 at Montecasino’s Teatro and Artscape, Chicago has been enjoyed by more than 210 000 theatre-goers locally.

Reviewers and critics alike raved about the show. “This musical is Hot with a capital H. It’s so sexy that it sets temperatures soaring – even on a chilly night!” said The Citizen.

Tonight called the show “A class act all the way… Chicago is impeccable, irresistible, unmissable”.

After 11 years, this sensual, seductive hit musical returns to these venues. And, back for the show are leads Samantha Peo (Cabaret, West Side Story, Strictly Come Dancing) now in the role of Velma Kelly, and Ilse Klink (Mamma Mia!, Show Boat, Isidingo), portraying Matron Mama Morton for the third South African season.

Craig Urbani (The Sound of Music, Rock of Ages, Scandal) reprises the role of the devious lawyer, Billy Flynn. He takes over on this tour from Jonathan Roxmouth, who recently filled the role abroad and has now left the cast to play the lead in an international touring production of Phantom of the Opera.

Also returning to the show is KJ Haupt (Rocky Horror, Carmen, Phantom of the Opera) as Mary Sunshine with Carmen Pretorius (The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, Lien se Lankstaanskoene) and Grant Towers (Funny Girl, Sound of Music, Avenue Q) joining the company in the principal roles of husband and wife, Roxie Hart and Amos Heart.

Ensemble members from Chicago’s 2005 and 2008 seasons, also returning to the show, are husband and wife, Ferdi Gernandt and Diani Gernandt and Tandi Gavin.

The remainder of the Chicago ensemble comprises Lesego van Niekerk, Raquel Munn, Natasha van der Merwe, Brittané van Loggerenberg, Jenna Robinson Child, Alexandra Girard, Jarryd Nurden, Michael Fullard, Hugo Madeleyn, Craig Arnolds, Thamsanqa Njoko, Sibusiso Mxosana, Darren Greef and Stephan van der Walt.

Produced by Showtime Management in association with Barry Fran Weissler and David Ian, Chicago has a combined South African and international creative team including associate director Tânia Nardini, and Gary Chryst, who is resposbile for the re-creation of New York production choreography . Both  Nardini and Chryst have staged Chicago across multiple continents.

Award-winning musical director Bryan Schimmel (Jersey Boys, Annie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) leads the 11-piece orchestra.

Hazel Feldman, Chicago’s SA producer, says:  “From its unique choreography in the style of Bob Fosse to its sizzling score and intriguing plot, performed by some of this country’s most talented performers, this is  one show not to be missed.”

The winner of six Tonys, two Oliviers, one Grammy, two Baftas and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and truly is “the sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times, UK).

The musical’s global success has reached over 36 countries and has been translated into 11 different languages.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

Care to put yourself in line to win a set of double tickets to see the hit musical, Chicago,  at Cape Town’s Artscape Opera House at 8pm on Tuesday, March 19… or at Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg, at 8pm on Tuesday, April 30?

Each ticket is valued at R320, making each prize worth R640.

To enter, you simply have to be a follower of my SoSuterBill site.  At no cost.

If you are not already a follower, simply leave your email address in the space provided towards the end of the cover page of this site, sosuterbill.com

You will then be a follower, and receive email notification whenever I file a new story.

Once you have subscribed (there is no cost), send your name and phone number, as well as your venue preference (either Joburg or Cape Town)  via email (NOT THIS SITE’S CONTACT FORM) to sosuterbill@gmail.com and place the words ‘CHICAGO THE MUSICAL in the subject field. 

Note that the competition closes at 5pm on Wednesday, March 6, and the two winners will be contacted soon after. (The winners were Sasha-Lee Breytenbach, JHB; and Naledi Majola, CT).

NOTE: PLEASE READ ENTRY DETAILS CAREFULLY AS SOME PEOPLE ARE ENTERING COMPETITIONS INCORRECTLY.

ALSO NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ENTRY PER SUBSCRIBER WILL BE CONSIDERED.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE…………………

1. Tickets are only valid for the specified date and performance time and may not be upgraded, exchanged for cash or used for an alternate performance. 
2. The prize is two show tickets only. 
3. Prize winners are responsible for their own transport arrangements. 
4. Any additional tickets may be purchased direct from Computicket .
5. We are unable to assist with bookings for additional tickets .
6. Tickets will be available for collection from the BOX OFFICE at the venue – from one hour prior to show time, on the date of the performance. Lost tickets will not be replaced.
7. The prize is not transferable and the decision of the webmaster is final. 
8. By entering this competition the prize winner accepts the terms and conditions.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….