Putting it Together
Independent theatre producer Bernard Jay is delighted to announce the completion of casting for the two major shows he is co-producing with Joburg Theatre at the end of this year and the beginning of next.
Janice Honeyman’s 30th traditional pantomime Pinocchio starts rehearsing on October 9th 2017, officially opens on November 12th and runs on The Mandela stage until December 30th.
The South African premiere production of the Tony and Grammy Award winning musical The Color Purple starts rehearsing on January 2nd 2018, officially opens on February 4th and runs on The Mandela Stage until March 4th.
All the 22 South African performers in Pinocchio and the 20 required for The Color Purple have been contracted and full casting will be announced for both shows in March.
“It might seem unusual to ask artists to commit to stage shows this far in advance of even the rehearsal periods,” notes Bernard Jay, executive producer of both shows. “But the wonderful reality in South Africa at this time is that, to sign the best of the stage talent in the country and to know that your shows have been cast as perfectly as your creative teams could have wanted, it has become necessary to audition and confirm offers many months ahead of the production dates. With so many opportunities now on offer to South African musical theatre performers and with some taking them on international tours for full-year contracts, I have learned that I must act quickly. I’m proud to say that Pinocchio and The Color Purple are cast with forty-two of the finest and most talented artists in the country.”
Pinocchio is written and directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Coenraad Rall, choreography by Nicol Sheraton and Timothy Le Roux serves as resident director.
The Color Purple will be directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Rowan Bakker, production design by Sarah Roberts and lighting design by Mannie Manim.
