BROADWAY ROCKS

Sequel to “Hollywood Rocks” show at Gateway venue.

The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway promises audiences a trip down Broadway, popping in to visit all the musicals that have graced the stages of its famous theatres over the decades, in Broadway Rocks.

Broadway Rocks follows on from the huge success of Hollywood Rocks, which has been attracting audiences around the country after starting its run at the Gateway venue last year. Duck Chowles (the resident Barnyard dictionary of rock ‘n roll) and Ian von Memerty (the musical maestro) once again combine forces to offer a show that has all the glamour and humour of a full blown musical, but will also be the rocking party that Barnyard audiences love.

Up until the 1960s, Broadway was an exclusive and vaguely snobby affair. But, when Hair burst onto the scene in the late 1968, Broadway was changed forever. Soon Lloyd Webber followed with the great rock operas Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, and then pop moved in with The Rocky Horror Show, Grease and Beatlemania.

Shows like The Who’s Tommy and South Africa’s own local smash hit Ipi Ntombi meant that Broadway was changed forever.

It was, however, the great tribute musicals that secured the romance between Broadway and rock ‘n roll. We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and Buddy smashed box office records around the globe, and soon Hollywood was desperate to put its work on the Broadway boards. Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Fame and Saturday Night Fever were soon touring the world on stage.

All of which means that when Broadway Rocks comes to The Barnyard, with a top live band and four dynamic vocalists, audiences will be able to delight in a show that is both truly theatrical and a real rocking delight. As with all Barnyard shows, audiences can also expect to have a laugh and be dancing in the aisles (or on the tables!) by the end of the production.

The show will be lead by singer/actor Jason Ralph, who will be joined on male vocals by Richard Hala. The female vocals will be handled by Barnyard dynamo Ramaine Barreiro-Lloyd and Tanya Duley. The band will be made up of Adrian Beecham (guitar & vocals), Calli Thomson (keyboards), Bongani Sokhela (bass guitar), Alan Lloyd (drums), Kirsty Madgin (saxophone) and Victor Samsonov (violin).

Broadway Rocks runs until June 7. Tickets R105 pp from Wednesday to Saturday with discounted specials of R70 per person every Tuesday night and Sunday matinee show. For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.