Tribute to Manhattan Brothers at Soweto Theatre
JOBURG – The Soweto Theatre will showcase Somizi Mhlongo's production of The Manhattan Brothers musical starting from 8 to 18 December.
Soweto Theatre is the proud venue to showcase the stellar production of The Manhattan Brothers Tribute, starring the dynamic Mmatema Moremi and soul group, Complete.
The tribute musical is a creative piece choreographed by Idols judge and television personality, Somizi Mhlongo and the production runs from 8 to 18 December.
From Soweto himself, Somizi is a celebrated choreographer and entertainer with a career of almost 30 years. He said he is excited to be part of the production, having been influenced by the music of the then-popular group.
The Manhattan Brothers are a popular South African acapella group made up of the late founding member and lead singer Nathan ‘Dambuza’ Mdledle, Joe Mogotsi, Ronnie Sehume and Rufus Khoza.
Miriam Makeba, who went on to international fame, started her career with The Manhattan Brothers and was part of the group for much of the 1950s.
The group has one US Billboard pop chart hit, Lovely Lies which peaked at number 45 in March 1956. In 1959, the quartet joined the company of King Kong, the first black South African musical.
When the production reached England, the band decided to remain there. The group recorded three English/Zulu pop albums before calling it a day in 1965. The role of Miriam Makeba will be portrayed by Mmatema Moremi who is a singer, songwriter and actress, and rose to fame last year as the runner-up in the 11th season of South African Idols. Moremi’s powerful voice will be cushioned by Complete, a local acapella group that will portray The Manhattan Brothers – Mluleki Chuma, Bubele Mgele, Bonginkosi Motha and Happy Motha.
Complete has worked with a variety of South African artists including Hugh Masekela, Themba Mkhize and the SWR Big Band from Germany. Their musical theatre performances include The Rehearsal, Songs of Migrations and The Suitcase directed by James Ngcobo, as well as Gregory Maqoma’s Exit/Exist, which saw Complete winning the 2014 New York Dance and Performance Bessie Award for Best Music Composition.
Makhaola Ndebele, artistic manager for Joburg City Theatres and director of the show, said audiences can look forward to beautiful music and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Details: www.sowetotheatre.com; 0861 670 670; 011 930 7461/2/3.
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