Last Chance to catch Nomathemba (Hope), a post-apartheid love story starring South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo and an ensemble of American actors, at Boston's Shubert Theatre. The show began previews Apr. 18, opened Apr. 22 and finishes its scheduled run through May 10.
The musical, by Ntozake Shange, Joseph Shabalala and Eric Simonson, premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre and played at Washington DC's Kennedy Center in 1996. This mounting is produced by Huntington Theatre Company and The Wang Center.
Nomathemba tells of a young woman who, inspired by her newly found freedom, leaves her quiet village to seek adventure. Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Kenya Brome, Sandra A. Daley, Leelai Demoz, La Tonya Hagans, Nathan Hinton, Michael T. Kachingwe, Erika Lavonn and Michael Anthony Williams star, alongside the musicians of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, best known for backing Paul Simon's "Graceland" album.
Upcoming at Huntington Theatre Company:
Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project, May 14-17, Shubert Theatre. Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, May 19-June 14, Shubert Theatre.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast, July 2-Sept. 6, Wang Center.
Current legit productions with open-ended runs include Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse and Shear Madness at the Charles Playhouse Stage II.
For tickets: (617) 482-9393.
-- By Rebecca Paller
and David Lefkowitz
