Loukmaan Adams Brings Solo Show to Baxter Concert Hall, Now thru 12 April

One of Cape Town's favourite sons, Loukmaan Adams, presents his first solo show, My Wonderyears, for a limited season at the Baxter Concert Hall. It will be performed from today, 5 to 12 April at 8.15pm with an extra show at 12 noon on 12 April.

My Wonderyears is a musical adventure showcasing the life and times of this talented performer, taking a funny, brave, honest and deeply personal look at his thirty year career.

It captures the rich journey of a boy becoming a man at a time marked by revolution, movement and music! The stories of his childhood stardom are told from the often unseen perspectives of his parents, who normally reserve the backseats when it comes to being in the spotlight. This time around, it is mom and dad who share centre stage with him, and comedy at its best seeing Loukmaan play his parents, while marking the theatre debut of rising young talents Caleb Rodgers and Ryan Jones as the young Loukmaan. It is the story of his trials, his tribulations and the wonder years that would set the scene and lead him to the Here and Now.

Directed by Kim Cloete and backed by exciting upcoming band, Back Line, led by Nathan Carolus, it's a musical feast that's not to be missed.

"I grew up in Cape Town during an era that cultivated a specific kind of artist," says Loukmaan. "An artist that would bear the quintessential 80's branding, with influences stemming from childhood. Remember made-up games like peagits; Friday nights A-team; koesiesters on a Sunday morning ; sports at Athlone Stadium; marches; war cries and variety shows, and all the way through to the wonderfully blurry lines that exists between tradition, culture and ritual."

My Wonderyears, inspired by the name of a popular 90's teenage TV series, is reminiscent of not only impressionable years, but also of a decade competing for its own place and identity, following the glory years of the 70's and 80's music scenes, whilst also celebrating some of our more popular contemporary songs. The show conjures up feelings of excitement, exploration, nostalgia and in retrospect, even the lighthearted awkwardness accompanied with growing up.

"It feels like I am coming full circle, as I was given the opportunity to perform at the Baxter when I was nine years old, having auditioned for District Six The Musical, and now I'm delighted to be giving Caleb and Ryan a similar opportunity," adds Loukmaan.

Loukmaan's illustrious career has spanned three decades and seen him perform with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Bonnie Tyler. He has performed in and choreographed for prestigious David Kramer/ Taliep Petersen productions such as District Six The Musical, the Laurence Olivier award-winning Kat and the Kings and The Kramer Peterson Songbook, a tribute to the late, great Petersen. His host of other credits include hit shows such as Brother Love, Where the Boys Are, Second Time Around and Vocal is Lekka.

Kim Cloete is a popular TV and radio presenter as well as a producer, entrepreneur and an acclaimed actress. Her stage career has seen her share the stage with many greats such as David Dennis and Murray Todd, and she was nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for her performance in Mike Graan's Brothers in Blood at the Market Theatre. Her one woman show, directed by Henry Mylne saw her receive a best actress nomination at the Kanna Awards in 2012. Film and TV credits include Jacob's Cross, 7de Laan, Wild at Heart for BBC and Isidingo.

My Wonderyears is written by Loukmaan Adams and Kim Cloete, and performed by Loukmaan Adams with Caleb Rodgers and Ryan Jones (alternating), with musical backing from Back Line, led by Nathan Carolus. Musical direction is by Loukmaan Adams and Nathan Carolus and the show is directed by Kim Cloete.

Tickets cost R150 and R120, and R90 for students and senior citizens. Tickets for groups of ten or more cost R110. Bookings can be made at Computicket 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

Photo by Warren Rasmussen