Latest news with #musical
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
The Lion King returns to Calgary in Broadway Across Canada production
CTV's Ian White speaks with Mukelisiwe Goba, who plays Rafiki in Disney's The Lion King, which returns to Calgary as part of Broadway Across Canada July 30 It's perhaps one of the most recognizable and most distinctive ways to begin a Broadway musical – Rafiki's call in Zulu for all animals far and wide to come see the new lion. 'I'm saying 'Here comes the lion,'. So, what should you do? You have to run!' actor Mukelisiwe Goba told CTV News. 'It's my native language. I was born in it,' the South African said. She admits she still gets goosebumps performing the scene that opens the play, several years after joining the cast. The Lion King runs at the Jubilee Auditorium July 30 to August 17. For more information, go here.
CBC
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Is it too soon for a musical about Luigi Mangione?
Social Sharing When Luigi Mangione was arrested on suspicion of murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, he quickly became a fixture in the minds of many on the internet and around the world. Just six months after Mangione's arrest, a company in San Francisco created a musical about him, Luigi: The Musical, that has been playing to sold-out crowds. Luigi: The Musical is a fictional reimagining of Mangione's time in prison (which he is still in as he awaits his trial), including interactions with rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs and crypto company founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Today on Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud chats with Toronto Star arts critic Joshua Chong and Bay Area Reporter arts editor Jim Provenzano about how this show came to be and where it fits in the history of musicals responding to current events. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Elamin: Jim, if this is a work of satirism, poking fun at these systems that shape our lives, is [the musical] successful? Does it work as a satire when you see it? Jim: I think it worked as what they wanted to do. One [San Francisco] Chronicle reviewer was comparing it to the best of the theatre in the Bay Area, like Berkeley Repertory or American Conservatory Theater. You can't do that. You can compare it to, say, our local nightclub, OASIS, which does hilarious drag parodies of shows, of movies like Jurassic Park, which is currently running, even Dracula and other thematically pop trendy things. And they succeeded in that. It's a bare bones production, but the audiences just love it. And I'm not one for status quo or "let the masses have what they want." But it was clever, and they hit the mark. I think one phrase that stuck in my head [when] considering this show is: comedy is someone else's tragedy plus time and distance. And the thing that the negative critics have said about this is that there hasn't been enough time for people to process it. It's still ongoing, but the whole arrest and arraignment of Luigi Mangione was performative theatre in itself. Elamin: Yeah, I think that the ways that those images played in the press over and over again. You saw very detailed analysis of his haircuts …. It really was a very theatrical thing that played out. I'll tell you what draws my attention to the story [of Luigi: The Musical ]. It's using a kernel of the truth, a real thing that is happening, or did happen, which is that Diddy and Luigi and Sam Bankman-Fried, they were all incarcerated in the same facility in New York while awaiting various different trials. And Josh, we've talked before about the idea of adapting something that is happening in the news to the big screen, the idea that that can happen a little bit quickly. The idea that this, first of all, comes out during the Diddy trial, which is quite fascinating in terms of timing, but also ahead of Luigi's trial. The Luigi trial has not happened yet. Have we seen something like this before? Joshua: We have. And I think it's happening more recently. Look back in history, for example, the musical Chicago, it's based on real events. This journalist, who covered the trials of these women who allegedly murdered their husband and got off with it, she turned it into, I believe, a play at first, and then it was adapted into the musical that we now know as Chicago. But that took decades, right? It was decades. Elamin: The play was 1926. It took 50 years to get to the musical. Joshua: Same with Come From Away, right? 9/11. On the 10th anniversary, the Canadian writers went to Gander, interviewed the subjects, and then five years later, about 2016 — about 15 years after 9/11 — did Come From Away premiere. But we're starting to see things start to shift and musicals being a bit more reactive now. This musical, Luigi, isn't the first. Just last year at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, there were two shows about Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial — two of them, and they made international headlines. One of them was so successful that it transferred to the West End. So I think what we're seeing is composers and writers trying to capitalize on the cultural zeitgeist. I think the thinking in the past was that: no, there needed to be this time for people to reflect, and on playwrights to reflect and digest all of this before turning it into a theatrical work. And that we'd leave it for other mediums, like Saturday Night Live, to offer that instant reaction. But I think now musical theatre writers, such as the creators of this musical and the two Gwyneth Paltrow shows, are saying, "Why can't we be the ones that are reacting to this first?"
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Win the ultimate theatre weekend with Official London Theatre and Sun Club
TO celebrate the return of Official London Theatre's Kids Week, we are giving away the ultimate theatre weekend in London for a family of four. The lucky winner will get a £500 Theatre Token voucher to spend at any theatre in London's West End or at over 300 venues across the UK. 2 If you are coming to London this summer, take your pick from a huge range of Kids Week shows for all ages. And if you are looking for something for the family, don't miss shows like 101 Dalmatians - The Musical, Wicked, Starlight Express, and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. For younger children, they'll love charming productions like The Baddies. The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Fireman Sam: The Great Camping Adventure, and The Elves and the Shoemaker. Teens are in for a treat too, with shows such as Clueless: The Musical, and The Devil Wears Prada. 2 You will also enjoy a show-stopping Afternoon Tea in the Grand Saloon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This experience unfolds in two dramatic acts inspired by Regency drama, all while you indulge in a classic afternoon tea. And to top off your trip to London, you will enjoy an overnight stay in a family room with breakfast included at Z Hotels. Located in the heart of the city, Z Hotels offers compact, stylish rooms with unmatched service, all within walking distance of theatres, galleries, and dinner spots. How to enter with Sun Club Sun Club Membership Programme Step 1: To enter our Ultimate Theatre Weekend with Official London Theatre competition join Sun Club now for just £1.99 a month for your first year. Following this, £4.99 a month. Or £12 for an annual subscription for the first 12 months, then £49.99 a year thereafter. Step 2: Then head to the Offers Hub, select the Ultimate Theatre Weekend page and click 'Enter'. Step 3: You will be now be entered into the competition. Do not forget, Official London Theatre's Kids Week is now on sale! Known as 'the longest week in summer', it spans the entire school holidays, from Monday, July 21 to Sunday, August 31. During this time, kids aged 17 and under can see a top London show for FREE when accompanied by an adult paying full price, plus an additional two children can get half-price tickets, and there's no booking fees. Competition is open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Competition ends at 23:59pm on Thursday, July 31 2025. Winners will be notified within 28 days. Full T&Cs apply, see Sun Club Hub.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Primary school pupils star in 'spectacular' Bugsy Malone performance
PUPILS at a primary school in Carlisle have starred in a 'spectacular' performance of the iconic musical, Bugsy Malone. Over two performances, pupils at Carlisle's Newlaithes Junior School took their audience back to the 1920s with their version of Bugsy Malone, which featured plenty of jazz numbers and splurge guns. The school's version of Bugsy Malone, which was adapted from Alan Parker's original script for the famous musical comedy, was packed with several 'toe-tapping' songs and was met by 'roaring applause' from all in attendance. (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) Richard Clark is the headteacher at Newlaithes Junior School, and was on hand to thank everyone involved in bring the production to life. He said: "From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that weeks of rehearsals had paid off. (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) "The lead role of Bugsy was played with charm and confidence, while Blousey Brown's solo was met with roaring applause. "Fat Sam and Dandy Dan's rival gangs brought comedy and chaos in equal measure – and the splurge scenes had everyone on the edge of their seats. (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) "The production was made possible thanks to the hard work of Year 6 staff, who guided the children not only in acting, singing, and dancing, but also in teamwork and resilience. "Costumes, sets, and props – including water pistols and silly string – added polish and flair to the whole show." (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) Miss Lowther is one of the school's Year Six teachers and expressed her pride at watching the pupil's hard work pay off through their top-notch performances. (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) She said: "It's been amazing to watch the children grow in confidence. "They've worked incredibly hard, and we couldn't be prouder of what they've achieved." Parents, carers, and staff who attending the performances were also keen to pile the praise on the young performers. (Image: Newlaithes Junior School) "You should be charging for this? It's like a West End Musical," said one audience member. "They were all stars."
ABC News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Voices of the Pacific: A Christmas Celebration in Song
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a heartwarming musical journey across the Pacific. This 2023 special — recorded in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Brisbane, Australia — brings together three vibrant church communities, sharing their festive songs and cultural heritage in a joyful celebration of unity and faith. The Kaibia Worship Team from Kaibia SSEC Church in Honiara, Solomon Islands, shares their uplifting Christmas songs. The Logan Youth Choir, made up of young singers of Samoan, Tongan, and Cook Islander heritage from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Logan, Brisbane, performs beautiful renditions in both Samoan and Tongan. The PNG Brisbane & Gold Coast Catholic Community Group brings warmth with songs recorded during Christmas Mass at St Dympna's Church in Aspley, Brisbane. Join us for a moving musical experience that showcases the rich traditions and voices of Pacific Islander communities in Australia and Solomon Islands.
