“There's so much to rejoice about in this Australian-South African co-production.”
Adrienne Sichel, The Star Tonight

“The gala opening of FAME – The Musical to a selected audience at the State Theatre in Pretoria
this week was magical… The stars of the show, including Mara Louw as no-nonsense teacher Ms Sherman; Relebogile Mabotja as Mabel Washington, a dance student with a bulging weighty problem and Jo Redburn as the drug-taking Carmen Dias did not put a foot wrong
and received a standing ovation.”
Elias Maluleke, City Press

“Exhilarating show nurtures brand new talent… Joint Australian-South African venture blows
Audiences away with its arresting performances and unusual intensity. The actors remain in character and serve the material. Their creativity shines out …”
Robert Greig, Sunday Independent

“The musical star of the night, though, had to be 18 year old Pretoria High School for Girls pupil, Lebo Mabotja, playing the overweight dance-turned-drama student Mabel Washington, who blew the audience away with her dynamite voice…
But the combined energy and passion of the young cast is sure to win the audience over …
Geraldine Fröhling, Pretoria News

Critics rave. Audiences applaud. Standing ovations are commonplace. FAME – The Musical is a show not to be missed. For just two short weeks “REMEMBER MY NAME – FAME!” returns to Gauteng.

Owing to public demand, the internationally acclaimed production of FAME – The Musical opens at the Nelson Mandela Theatre, Johannesburg Civic Theatre on Saturday, 07 February 2004 for a limited season ending on Sunday, 22 February 2004.

“FAME has been a resounding success and the demand and enthusiasm for the show by audiences of all ages is simply incredible.” says  Producer, Hazel Feldman, who added: “We are so excited that the Civic Theatre suddenly found a couple of weeks for us to bring this truly sensational show to Johannesburg.  Audiences in Pretoria and Cape Town have simply been blown away by the spirit and energy of each and every one of the performers.  We have an outstanding company and are very proud of this production which is as good, if not better, than anything available internationally.”

Presented by Cell C and produced by Showtime Management in Association with Jacobsen Entertainment, Australia, FAME – The Musical enjoyed nightly standing ovations and rave reviews during its 2003 run at the Spoornet State Theatre in Pretoria. The ovations continue at every show since the production moved to the Cape Town International Convention Centre at the beginning of the 2003 Festive season. FAME – The Musical ends its highly successful Cape Town run on 31 January 2004, thereafter moving to Johannesburg.

Said Cell C's chief commercial officer, José dos Santos, “We are delighted to see FAME returning to Gauteng after such successful runs in Pretoria and Cape Town.   For those of you that haven't yet seen Fame, you have one last opportunity to catch this vibrant and energetic display of talent. Cell C is proud to present this unexpected second chance to see FAME.”

The show times for FAME – The Musical at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 20h00; Fridays at 17h30 and 21h00; Saturdays at 16h30 and 20h30 and Sundays at 15h00. There are no shows on Mondays. Ticket prices for evening shows start at R 95.00 and prices for matinee performances begin at
R 75.00.

Tickets are available from Computicket outlets, Computicket Call Centres on 084 915 8000 or (011) 340 8000. To make online bookings, visit www.computicket.co.za . For block bookings and special groups rates contact the Johannesburg Civic Theatre ‘s VIP Ticketing Department on 011-8876854. For further information visit The Johannesburg Civic Theatre website at www.showbusiness.co.za .

Hazel Feldman says that the Johannesburg Civic Theatre is only available to FAME for two weeks in February and she therefore encourages lovers of music, dance and theatre to book early to avoid disappointment. ENDS
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ADDITIONAL SHOW INFORMATION :
Conceived & Developed by David de Silva – New York
Produced by HAZEL FELDMAN of SHOWTIME CONCERTS - SA
In association with JACOBSEN ENTERTAINMENT- Australia
Directed by DAVID ATKINS – Australia
Choreography KELLEY ABBEY - Australia
Assistant Director JASON COLEMAN - Australia
Assistance Choreographer LEANNE CHERNY - Australia
Musical Director CLIFFORD COOPER - SA
Company Manager & Dance Director JILL SOMERS – SA

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
FAME – THE MUSICAL is based on the Academy Award winning motion picture of the ‘80's. The success of the movie was followed by the long-running TV series (screened worldwide in 68 countries) and ultimately, the highly acclaimed stage production, which has been revamped and revised to take the stage sensation into the new century and beyond. If the recent sell-out West End, Australian and Asian productions are any indication, FAME – THE MUSICAL is more popular than ever and is indeed ‘gonna live forever – remember my name!”

Set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, FAME charts the bittersweet but inspiring story of the roller coaster ride of a group of talented, star-struck students from differing backgrounds and cultures. The story line captures the dreams, struggles, disappointments, joy and romances of the colourful characters as they commit to four years of gruelling artistic and academic work. The story features four teachers whose characters are as diverse as their education values.

CAST LIST ROLES
MARA LOUW Miss Esther Sherman
KATE NORMINGTON Miss Greta Bell
DALE CUTTS Mr Sheinkopf
MIKE HUFF Mr Myers
CARLO MCFARLANE Tyrone Jackson
NEELS CLASEN Nick Piazza
SHELLEY MESKIN Serena Katz
KEENO-LEE HECTOR Joe “Jose” Vegas
RELEBOGILE MABOTJA Mabel Washington
CRAIG NORRIS Schlomo Metzenbaum
NATASHA STAPLES Iris Kelly
NIKI ROWAN Grace “Lambchops” Lamb
JO REDBURN Carmen Dias
CHARLES BOUGUENO Goodman “Goody” King

COMPANY
MELANI JOHNSON
TIAAN RAUTENBACH
CELESTE BOTHA
COBUS GOMES
GEMMA HARRIS
MICHELE LA TROBE
JEREMIA LEKGETHO
TIMOTHY LE ROUX
NATASSHIA MEYER
LEE PIEDT
MAUDE SCHEEPERS
ASHLEY SEARLE
URIA SIBANYONI
LUTHANDO “TOTO” TSODO