Disney’s The Magic Box, a theatrical experience developed in association with Disney Theatrical Group, presented by Fever, together with Proactiv Entertainment and RGB, and produced by leading local promoter Showtime Management, recently announced the world premiere of its English-language production. The show, featuring an all-South African cast and crew, opens at Artscape, Cape Town, on 9October for a limited seasonand then transfers to Montecasino’s Teatro, Johannesburg, from 22 November before embarking on an international tour.
The 26-member top-notch cast features some of South Africa’s finest, fresh young talent whose performances are set to enthral audiences as they take patrons on an immersive theatrical sensory experience through the 100 years of Disney. The story tells about Mara, played by stage, television and screen actress, Ashley Scott (Popcorn, White Lies, The Sound of Music) who embarks on a magical journey led by no other than Mickey Mouse, along with his friends Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto, brought to life on the stage in a uniquely and innovative theatrical way.” Fellow leads who play the Disney characters as they come to life through various theatrical techniques are Brett De Groot (The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Paw Patrol Live); Naledi Award nominee, Nqobile Hlekwayo (Letters of Hope: The Musical, Remnants of a Dead Brain, Catch-22); Ghia Hough (LAMTA productions Vintage Jukebox, Come Together, The Seagull); Pule Buys(NO EXIT: UYAPHI?, Behind the Apron, A Street Taxi named Desire); who honed her craft on several stages at Wits Theatre Complex and Tumelo Mogashoa (LAMTA productions of Mephisto, COSI & Being Steve, Spring Awakening).
The multi-talented ensemble each playing a show character includes Tania Mteto (Hansel and Gretel, Evita The Musical, We Will Rock You); recording artist Tannah Levick (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, Tales Of A Big Bad Wolf); opera trained Sunny Yoon (Mamma Mia, La Boheme, Don Pasquale); Zoë Gray (Oklahoma!, Sweeney Todd, The Little Mermaid); 2013 SA’s Got Talent finalist Cindy-Ann Abrahams (The Sound of Music, Evita Revival, Le Nozze de Figaro); Siya Makakane (We Will Rock You, Janice Honeyman’sPeter Pan, History Girls) who starred in the international Hollywood film The Woman King; Nicolette Fernandes (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!); Gemma French (Showmax series, White Lies); Top Model SA 2019 finalist Hannah Norcott makes her professional debut. Fleur du Cap, Broadway World and Naledi Awards nominee Tshepo Ncokoane (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, We Will Rock You, The Colour Purple), Dirk Joubert (Chicago The Musical, We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!); Austin Tshikosi (Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Mephisto, MAMMA MIA!), Michael Fullard (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, Chicago The Musical); returning from playing Mufasa in The Lion King International Tour is Emkay Khanyile (Calling Us Home, Beautiful Creatures); classically trained Marco Titus (Lift The Musical, Mandela a New Musical, La Traviata); embarking on his third world tour, Sibusiso Mxosana (King Kong, Chicago The Musical, We Will Rock You); Che-jean Jupp (Buddy The Buddy Holly Story, The Sound of Music, and Spring Awakening); Logan Timbre (West Side Story, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Matilda the Musical) and civil engineer and now triple threat performer Gerard van Rooyen (Buddy Holly The Buddy Holly Story, The Sound of Music, Spring Awakening)
The cast and crew together with local creative specialists Nthabiseng Malaka, working with international designer Sofia Di Nunzio on Costume Design; Musical Director, Dawid Boverhoff and Technical Supervisor Alistair Kilbee will be working with the musical’s international creative team of Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips (Co-Writer and Director, as well as Set Co-Designer), Lynne Kurdziel Formato (Choreographer), Isaac Saul (Musical Director, Arranger and Orchestrator) and Creative Producer, Felipe Gamba who has led the show’s development. Gamba also co-wrote the book with Phillips.
The musical, which originally premiered with great success in January 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immerses the audience in an unprecedented theatrical adventure that combines puppetry, elaborate costumes, and projections in an innovative and large-scale staging. The show is a sensory experience that pays tribute to the art of animation and invites the audience to reconnect with the legacy of Disney music through the stories, songs, and characters that have accompanied them through the different stages of their lives. More than 75 Disney’s songs merge into an iconic original score, and the characters come to life through various theatrical techniques, magnificent choreography, and the voices and performances of the highly talented South African cast.
Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or introducing a new generation to the wonders of Disney, an evening of nostalgia and music is sure to create lasting memories and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Disney’s The Magic Box will take you on an enchanting journey. Book now at Disneythemagicbox.com.
SHOW INFORMATION
CAPE TOWN:
Venue: Artscape
Opening date: 09 October 2024
Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission
Age: No children under 3 years. PG recommended
Performances:
Weekdays: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 7:30PM
Weekends: Saturdays 1:30pm, 4:30pm, 7:30pm; Sundays 2pm, 5pm.
Ticket prices: including VAT
Midweek (Wednesday, Thursdays): R200, R250, R350, R450
Weekend (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays): R250, R350, R450, R550
Bookings: DisneyTheMagicBox.com, Showtime.co.za or Feverup.com
Group bookings:
20% Discount on groups of 21 and more
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday performances are only valid for the top two prices. Contact Jill Somers office hours only, 9 am to 5pm, on 079 218 1658, www.showtime.co.za
JOHANNESBURG:
Venue: Montecasino’s Teatro
Opening date: 22 November 2024
Running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Age: No children under 3 years. PG recommended
Performances:
Weekdays: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 7:30PM
Weekends: Saturdays 1:30pm, 4:30pm, 7:30pm; Sundays 2pm, 5pm.
Ticket prices including VAT
Midweek (Wednesday, Thursdays): R200, R250, R350, R450
Weekend (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays): R250, R350, R450, R550
Bookings: DisneyTheMagicBox.com, Showtime.co.za or Feverup.com
Group Bookings
20% Discount on groups of 21 and more
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday performances only valid for the top two prices. Contact Jill Somers office hours only, 9 am to 5pm, on 079 218 1658, www.showtime.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA #DisneyTheMagicBox
FB : https://www.facebook.com/disneythemagicboxmusical
IG : @disneythemagicboxmusical – link: https://www.instagram.com/disneythemagicboxmusical/
Website: https://disneythemagicbox.com/
Showtime Management
FB – facebook.com/showtimemanagementsa
Twitter – twitter.com/showtime_sa
Website – showtime.co.za
Montecasino
Website – www.montecasino.co.za
Facebook – montecasino
Twitter – @montecasinoza
Artscape
FB – https://www.facebook.com/ArtscapeTheatre
Twitter – @ArtscapeTheatre
Website – www.artscape.co.za
About Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) Disney Theatrical Group, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony® Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honor 20 times. The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994, playing a remarkable 13-year run on Broadway and produced in replica productions around the world over four decades. In November 1997, Disney made theatrical history with the opening of The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to the win the award. Surpassing 25 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed 112 million visitors worldwide to date and has nine productions currently running worldwide. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or entertainment title in box office history. Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six-year Tony-winning Broadway run. Tarzan®, Tony-nominated for its 2006 Broadway premiere, went on to become an international hit with an award-winning production enjoying a ten-year run in Germany. In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the best-selling new musical of that year. Disney Theatrical Group opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, winning seven Tony Awards between them: Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, each of which enjoyed a two-year run and launched North American tours, with Newsies playing a record-breaking Fathom Events in-cinema release. Aladdin, Disney Theatrical Group’s 2014 hit, continues its smash Broadway run. It has launched nine productions around the globe and been seen by more than 17 million guests. Disney Theatrical Group’s newest hit, the 2018 Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen currently has four productions around the world.
Other stage ventures include the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin and King David in concert on Broadway. Disney Theatrical Group has collaborated with the nation’s preeminent theatres to develop new stage musicals including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Freaky Friday and Hercules. As a part of the recent acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney Theatrical Group also heads the Buena Vista Theatrical banner, which licenses Fox titles for stage adaptations including Anastasia, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Mrs. Doubtfire. With dozens of productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day. Next on the Disney Theatrical schedule: the world-premiere of Hercules in Hamburg, Germany and the North American tour of a reimagined production of Beauty and The Beast in 2025.
About Fever Fever is the world’s leading live entertainment discovery platform, and it has been helping millions of people discover the best experiences in their cities since 2014. Its mission is to democratize access to culture and live entertainment. Through its platform, Fever inspires its community to enjoy unique local experiences and events, from immersive exhibitions, interactive theatre experiences and festivals to pop-up bars, while helping producers and experience creators with data and technology so they can enhance and expand their experiences around the world.
About Showtime Management Showtime Management SA, headed by Hazel Feldman and Tony Feldman,is a leading South African live entertainment show promoter and musical theatre producer, which has set the benchmark for the presentation of quality, international-standard shows and events, many of which have been presented throughout South Africa, Asia, Europe and Las Vegas. Musical Theatre productions include Fame; Chicago The Musical (2005, 2008 and 2018/9 International Tour); We Will Rock You (2006 & 2023); Beauty & The Beast; High School Musical; Rent; Mamma Mia! (2010, 2024); Dreamgirls; Menopause the Musical; Beautiful Creatures; Dirty Dancing; Jersey Boys; Annie; Priscilla Queen of the Desert; SA Representative for The Lion King Asia & International Tour. Concert productions and live shows include: The Rolling Stones; Frank Sinatra; Elton John; Rod Stewart; Pavarotti; Seal; Janet Jackson; Liza Minnelli; The 3 Tenors; Black Eyed Peas; Deadmau5; 50 Cent; George Benson; Swedish House Mafia; John Legend; Shakira; Tap Dogs; Eminem; Ultra Music Festival (2014 – 2020, 2023); Cirque Éloize iD (2014 & 2016); Disney On Ice (2014 – 2019); Jason Mraz; Russell Brand; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; Yusuf Cat Stevens; Slava’s Snow Show; The Illusionists; Dynamo, James Morrison, Monster Jam (2018 & 2023), Stomp, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Yo-Yo Ma, Ndlovu Youth Choir in Concert (2022 & 2023), Gregory Porter SA Tour, Monster Jam, Candace Bushnell – True Tales of Success, Sex and Sex and the City. 2024: Lalah Hathaway SA Tour, Ultra Music Festival; Mamma Mia!, The Magic of Rob Lake and more! www.showtime.co.za
About Proactiv Entertainment Proactiv Entertainment is Spain's leading company in producing and organizing large-scale shows, national and international exhibitions, and music concerts. Headquartered in Barcelona, with offices in Madrid and Abu Dhabi, this independent company has over 35 years of expertise in the entertainment sector. Its 3 solid lines of business are the production and creation of live events, exhibitions, and music concerts. Its projects include nationally and internationally recognised shows with major brands such as Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and successful exhibitions such as Meet Vincent van Gogh, Art of the Brick, Barça the Exhibition, Secret Garden and Mundo Pixar. In music, it not only produces concerts by major artists, but also offers booking and management services to other promoters and record labels. Internationally, it has replicated the successful model implemented in Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Latin America and Europe, where it also organises and produces original shows for all audiences. Proactiv owns the Inmersa space in Barcelona, a new venue to host creative experiences of more than 3000 m2.
About RGB Created in 2000 by Gustavo Yankelevich and Victor González, under the general management of Pablo Puiggari, RGB Entertainment is an independent production company that develops, produces and commercializes audiovisual content. Over the years RGB has developed a complete business platform that combines the exploitation of television products: soap operas, sitcoms, fiction series, entertainment programs (being its 2 iconic fictions Casi Ángeles and Chiquititas), with related businesses such as music shows, digital content, record productions and major plays. Professionally recognized for its achievements in the media, RGB has positioned its company as an entertainment leader in the Latin American market, with a strong global reach.