From Jazz to Resilience: Two Unmissable Joburg Stage Productions

Johannesburg’s theatre scene is buzzing this October, with two very different but equally powerful productions taking centre stage. Whether you’re drawn to the glitz and sass of a Broadway classic or the raw intimacy of a personal story of survival, these shows promise to leave a lasting impression.

The Return of CHICAGO The Musical

After dazzling Cape Town audiences, CHICAGO The Musical arrives in Joburg with a full-throttle South African cast, crew and orchestra. Hosted at Montecasino’s Teatro from 3 October to 16 November, the show is already creating hype for its world-class staging and razor-sharp choreography.

The all-star line-up includes Kiruna-Lind Devar as Roxie Hart, Samantha Peo as Velma Kelly, Tankiso Mamabolo as the formidable Matron Mama Morton, and theatre favourite Jonathan Roxmouth as the sly lawyer Billy Flynn. With Dean de Klerk as Amos Hart and M.E. Marvey as Mary Sunshine, the production blends familiar stage veterans with fresh energy.

Fans can expect all the classics – from the sultry All That Jazz to the electrifying Cell Block Tango – in a production that captures Broadway’s timeless magic. Critics and theatre lovers who caught the Cape Town run have already flooded social media with glowing reviews, praising its bold execution and noting that it’s “as good as anything you’d see in New York or London.”

Beauty in the Broken: A Story of Survival

For those who prefer something more intimate, Gaynor Young’s Beauty in the Broken at Theatre on the Square is an unmissable journey into resilience. Known as both an actress and author, Young’s story is one of courage in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

In 1989, while performing as Guinevere in Camelot, Young fell 18 storeys down an unguarded lift shaft. She survived, but the accident left her with multiple injuries and permanent hearing loss. Rather than give up, she transformed her pain into art, writing and performing acclaimed works like My Plunge to Fame and Gaynor Rising.

Now, after two decades, she returns to the stage with Beauty in the Broken, a production that weaves themes of trauma, love, and resilience. “I was broken once,” Young reflects. “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.”

Audiences have described the play as deeply moving, with many sharing online how her story of rebuilding resonates in a country where resilience is often the only way forward.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss Them

Together, these two productions highlight the diversity of Joburg’s theatre world: one is a high-octane, jazz-fuelled spectacle, the other a heartfelt exploration of healing. Whether you’re in the mood for razzle-dazzle or reflection, October is the month to step into the city’s theatres.

Where to watch:

• CHICAGO The Musical – Montecasino Teatro, 3 October to 16 November.

• Beauty in the Broken – Theatre on the Square, runs until 5 October.

Joburg’s theatre scene has always thrived on variety, and this season proves it once again: from roaring jazz to a quiet triumph of the human spirit, the city’s stages are alive with stories worth experiencing.

{Source:IOL }

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