Sweet Charity at Joburg Theatre

Fun Laughs Good Times! Sweet Charity by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields is a feel good American Broadway Musical Classic. This fresh staging for the National School of the Arts by award winning Janna Ramos - Violante and Mark Hawkins promises to be a delightful "blast from the past". Sweet Charity is the story of a big-hearted dance hall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine, who always gives her heart and her dreams to the wrong man. But despite a string of ill-fated romances she manages to remain delightfully optimistic that life will change for the better for nothing can shake her indestructible belief in the human race. It is the spirit of falling down and getting right back up that Charity embodies.

This Tony Award winning show was launched in 1966 on Broadway. It was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse and stared his wife Gwen Verdon as the first Charity. It was then made into a popular film in 1969 with Shirley MacLaine. It has enjoyed numerous revivals making it a a true American Classic. Hits from the musical include Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, Rhythm of Life and I’m A Brass Band.

Joining "the" Ramos-Violante and Hawkins in the creative team are Designer Andrew Botha (an NSA Alumni), Lighting Designer Nic Michaletos and Musical Director Marten Van Wyk from the National School of the Arts who will conduct the NSA Orchestra.

The National School of the Arts is proud to be featuring the ever-popular Christopher Jaftha, also an alumni of the NSA, as the suave Vittorio. The role of Charity Hope Valentine will be played by Kiruna – Lind Devar and Oscar by Buhle Dube, Siba Qoba plays Daddy Brubeck and Nqobile Mazibuko plays Herman. The roles of Nickie and Helene are played by Omphile Kala and Wija Ghomsi. Kelly Bates plays Ursula.

SWEET CHARITY is an interdepartmental production featuring drama, dance, music and art learners. With inspiring NSA emerging talent and top-end production values, Sweet Charity promises to be a charming audience-pleaser of note.