Andile Gumbi News

Today's top stories: the national tour of Bandstand officially opens today, and more!

Andile Gumbi, Former Simba in Broadway's The Lion King, has died in Israel, reportedly after suffering cardiac arrest which left him in a coma for several days.

Two productions presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre have received an incredible 25 Naledi Theatre Award nominations.

TV star and sensational songstress Sihle Ndaba has joined the cast of the KING KONG - THE MUSICAL at the Fugard Theatre.  

Productions presented and hosted by the Fugard Theatre have garnered an incredible 26 Fleur du Cap nominations. The historic production of South African musical King Kong swept twelve nominations while the local premiere of the hit West End comedy Shakespeare in Love is nominated in four categories.

The 2017 nominees for the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards have been announced. These annual awards are regarded amongst the most valued and prestigious in the South African performing arts industry. This year's ceremony will take place on 18 March at 17:30 at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town and promises to be an 'Elegantly Extravagant' evening.

Multiple award-winning actor and popular TV and film star Desmond Dube joins the cast of the Fugard Theatre's hit production of the iconic South African musical KING KONG. From 2 January 2018 he steps in to the central role of Pop in the production, which is currently playing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town until 18 February 2018.

Start the countdown to 2018 early in all-South African style at the Fugard Theatre on 31 December. Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, the highly acclaimed production of the historic South African musical, KING KONG, is back in Cape Town for the summer season, with a special, early New Year's Eve performance taking place at 14:00.

After a sold-out six week season at the Fugard Theatre, the hit musical KING KONG returns by overwhelming public demand for the summer season. Presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, KING KONG will run from 12 December with bookings now extended to 18 February 2018.

The Eric Abraham and Fugard Theatre production of KING KONG has sold out its Cape Town first run. The show ends at the Fugard Theatre on 2 September before transferring to the Mandela Theatre at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg from 12 September until 8 October.

Watching KING KONG, the Fugard Theatre's latest musical theatre production, is as complex an experience as it is a thrilling one. The first revival of a legendary South African jazz opera, as it was called when first performed in 1959, KING KONG is at once a historical document, a contemporary reimagining, a vibrant performance piece and a damning comment on society.

Over half a century since the world premiere of the original production of KING KONG, Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre bring this legendary and iconic musical home to Johannesburg. The run will come hot off the Cape Town season, which is currently playing to rave reviews, rapturous responses and sold-out houses at the Fugard Theatre.

Over half a century since the original production, a brand new production of KING KONG, the legendary South African musical, is now on in Cape Town. Eric Abraham produces and presents this Fugard Theatre production, which will transfer to Johannesburg following its run in the Mother City.

Over half a century since the original production, the Fugard Theatre's forthcoming, brand new production of the legendary South African musical KING KONG is fully cast, with rehearsals commencing on 12 June.

Just yesterday, 2013 Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis ('Beasts of the Southern Wild') visited The Lion King on Broadway and BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion. Check out photos of Wallis with the cast below!

THE LION KING is the sixth longest-running musical in Broadway history. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents and continues to create new avenues around the world. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, on tour in Japan, and in Tokyo, London's West End, Hamburg, Madrid and in the UK. Last night, musician Darius Rucker (formerly Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish) visited the Broadway show and you can check out photos of him backstage with the cast below!

On Tuesday evening, members of the US Women's National Soccer Team took a break from practice to see the Tony Award-winning Broadway The Lion King on Broadway. Scroll down for a photo!

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, will host two principal actors from the hit musical as contestants today, December 10. Chantel Riley (Nala) and Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa) will play "Millionaire" as a two-person team and will donate their winnings to The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition. The duo is guaranteed to win a minimum of $10,000 for The Actors Fund.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, will host two principal actors from the hit musical as contestants on Monday, December 10. Chantel Riley (Nala) and Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa) will play "Millionaire" as a two-person team and will donate their winnings to The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition. The duo is guaranteed to win a minimum of $10,000 for The Actors Fund.

'Live with Kelly and Michael's Michael Strahan just visited the show with his daughters and you can check out backstage photos below!