Disney’s The Magic Box featuring an all-South African cast and crew, opens at Artscape on Wednesday October 9.
The musical, which originally premiered in January in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immerses the audience in a theatrical adventure that combines puppetry, elaborate costumes, and projections in an innovative and large-scale staging.
Disney’s songs merge into an original score, and the characters come to life through various theatrical techniques, choreography, and the voices and performances of a South African cast of 26 artists.
“We are excited to be involved in a partnership with international producers to bring this brand-new production of The Magic Box to South Africa before the show embarks on a world tour – a true premiere first for the country and the world! Audiences can expect to be blown away by the innovative creativity, unique presentation, and the wonderful magic of Disney on stage in a musical,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management.
The show includes excerpts from more than 75 songs from Disney films including A Whole New World from Aladdin, We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto, How Far I’ll Go from Moana, Circle of Life from The Lion King and Let It Go from Frozen.
The musical’s creative team includes Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips (co-writer and director, as well as set co-designer), Lynne Kurdziel Formato (choreographer), and Isaac Saul (musical director, arranger and orchestrator). Felipe Gamba has led the show’s development, co-wrote the book with Phillips and serves as creative producer.
Designers on the project include Michael Curry, who worked on the masks and puppets for Disney’s The Lion King. The design team also features South African Nthabiseng Malaka with Sofia Di Nunzio on costumes, David Seldes on lighting, Steve Cuiffo on illusions, Johanna Wilhelm for props and animated objects, Maxi Vecco in projections, Gaston Briski in sound, and Feliciano San Roman in wigs and make-up. South African Alistair Kilbee serves as technical supervisor for the production.
No children under 3 years allowed and parental guidance is recommended.
Tickets cost from R200 to R450 on Wednesdays and Thursdays; and R250 to R550 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Book at Disneythemagicbox.com
There is a 20% discount on groups of 21 and more. Contact Jill Somers between 9am and 5pm on 079 218 1658 for details.
