(Khanyo
Maphumulo)
Back by popular demand, The Playhouse
Company presents A Christmas Celebration,
a festive extravaganza for the whole family!
A
Christmas Celebration is set to light up the
Playhouse Opera Theatre stage from December 22 to 24. Directed by renowned
theatre giant Ralph Lawson, A Christmas
Celebration promises to deliver festive sizzle and spectacle. With stunning
music and dance, a top-notch cast with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic
Orchestra, this is one festive treat surely not to be missed!
A
Christmas Celebration will feature popular gospel
sensation, Dr Tumi, the much-loved Tim Moloi, songbird Khanyo Maphumulo, East
Coast Radio’s Darren Maule and leading soapie superstar Thandeka Dawn King. The
renowned KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, the award-winning Playhouse Dance
Residency and The Playhouse Chorale are also on board for an awe-inspiring
festive offering.
A seasoned minister of song, Dr Tumi is
graced with belting out in-season gospel melodies.The award-winning artist
stands out as one who writes biblical based songs that are bridging the gap. A
former lead singer for award winning gospel group Intense, Dr Tumi composed all
the songs for the group's album – Heart2Heart,
save one. He also wrote all 16 tracks of his debut album - Heart of a King, which won Best RnB Gospel Award at the SABC Crown
Gospel Music Awards in 2012, where he was also nominated in four categories. Dr
Tumi recently released his latest live offering called Love and Grace, a 15 track album packed with fresh new songs that
he wrote and produced. The album reached gold status within two months of its
release.
Thandeka Dawn King is an actress who is
famous for her role as Lindiwe Xulu in the soap opera Uzalo. She has also earned prominence for her role in the South
African series Lockdown as Ma Z in
2016-2017. She earned her degree in drama from Technikon Natal. She made her TV
acting debut in 2012. She first worked on the South African telenovela iNkaba as Anele and appeared in the fourth
season of Zaziwa as a guest host in
2016.
Darren Maule is a seasoned stand-up
comedian, actor and entertainer who heads up East Coast Radio’s breakfast team
every weekday.
Born and raised in Soweto, Timothy Moloi
has led a busy performance schedule since completing his studies at Ohio
Wesleyan University in the USA. His critically-acclaimed debut album Love That Music was nominated for two
SAMA Awards. In December 2016 he
performed in both Moscow and Saint Petersburg as part of the SA-Russia Cultural
Exchange. Moloi will also be taking part in the first Great South African Bake Off Celebrity Special which airs on December
19 2017 on BBC Lifestyle on DSTV.
Khanyo Maphumulo was born a musical family
of six. Started singing professionally at 13 when she was cast for lead vocals
in the musical play Sarafina! By the
age of 17, Khanyo had lent her sweet and powerful voice to the recordings of
South Africa’s leading talents such as Rebecca Malope, Jonas Gwangwa, Lucky
Dube and the legendary Afro-Jazz group, Bayete. To date Khanyo has featured on
more than 50 local and international albums and toured with the likes of Hugh
Masekela, Busi Mhlongo and Mango Groove, Juluka, Ringo Madlingozi, as well as
international artists such as Oleta Adams, Angelique Kidjo, Patti Austin and
Simply Red. She has recently been working with the play Songs of Migration by James Ngcobo and the legendary Bra Hugh
Masekela featuring the likes of Sibongile Khumalo and Gloria Bosman.
A
Christmas Celebration runs from December 22 to 24 only,
with a special preview on December 21. Tickets range from R80 to R120 and are
available from Computicket or from the Playhouse Box office on 031 369 9596/
9540. For block booking specials call 031 369 9407. Playhouse patrons receive
discounted parking at The Royal Hotel Parkade. The Playhouse coffee shop offers
a variety of light meals and drinks, while the Playhouse bar is open for every
performance.