Reik Na Die Sterre - Official Opening! #OutAndAbout

Sunday 13 July 2014, marked the official media opening of Reik Na Die Sterre - die Grootste Afrikaanse Musical Nog ooit!
What an incredibly special and memorable evening!

It was possibly one of the proudest moments I have had in honour of my wonderfully talented husband, Ferdinand Gernandt, who co-produced, wrote, choreographed and directed this original, top-quality production by The Smash Hit Company. (#reiknadiesterre)



Having just landed back in SA from two weeks in the States, I had not seen any of the progress while away and even when I had seen bits and pieces of technical runs days before, I wasn't prepared for the amazing responses from the audience or the glow of joy and pride I would feel watching the final product on the day of the VIP event.
Before the show, hubby gave an opening welcome speech with such grace and sincerity - and with his words of love and gratitude aimed at his easy-to-tear-up wife, I was nearly a blurry mess before it even began.

It was such a wonderful pleasure being styled by my 'go-to' team at The Follicle Hair Atelier in Brooklyn for the event (012 435 8777) and also to have them all attend!
(They looked dashing, sporting their 'Stiki' bow-tie wooden accessories!)

Inspired by a Charlize Theron red-carpet look, we opted for an 'old hollywood glamour' feel for both hubby and I.

 It worked perfectly with my gorgeous black beaded dress for the evening, courtesy of Nerine Pienaar from The Warderobe Studio (Also Warderobe Designer for #reiknadiesterre) in conjunction with Just for Tonight Josephine.

The exceptional cast featured in this production, delivered phenomenal performances on Opening. I really could start mentioning favourites but would probably end up listing the full company.
 Let me at least mention the lead actors by name - Willem Botha, Kristen Raath, Tristin Focherini, Neels Clasen, Kenneth Meyer, Richard van der Westhuizen and Sarah Theron, who each in their own right bring passion, commitment and enormous talent to the stage.
There are truly exceptional dancers in the cast and brilliant cameo and supporting character performances each engaging the audience to tears or roaring laughter.
(Not to mention the ridiculous eye-candy for guys and gals alike!)

Moments I especially enjoy are the high-energy and intense company dance numbers such as Beat of My Heart, Ek Reik Na Die Sterre, Carry On (an epic male tap number) and Fight For Love as well as fabulous comic or sincere and heart-wrenching scenes or songs like Die Hart van my Moeder and Ruiter van die Windjie.

Other wow moments are created by the flashy bmx's that the 'paperboys' get around in, which become part of the elaborate and exciting choreographic plotting.

The set is gorgeous and wonderfully woven into the story as to form a whole character on its own. Murray Lubbe; as well as the majestic lighting design by Johan Ferreira with powerfully lit moments in many of the military scenes, especially Op Die Vlerk van n Spier Wit Duif. Mention must be made of Marlee van der Merwe, who was responsible for the impeccable vocal direction of the company.
This is only further complimented by the mood-setting and fresh new musical arrangements of old favourites by

It was heart-warming to see several youngsters and families in the auditorium, as well as many well-known public faces, media and critics. The buzz surrounding #reiknadiesterre leading up to that day did not disappoint and has only been fueled by a flutter of social media responses after Sunday. It's great to read so many kind and positive responses as well as constructive feedback. Read some on the Reik Na Die Sterre Facebook Page and here is a link to the Beeld Review.

With only 4 weeks of running at The State Theatre Opera now under way, the time is going to fly by!

 They are already experiencing high increases in ticket sales, so jump in!
(Tickets are available now at Computicket @ R250 per ticket.)

Go and support this superb cast and company!
Go and #reiknadiesterre!!!

RNDS Rehearsals #BehindTheScenes

It is almost time for the Reik Na Die Sterre musical cast to move into their technical week and soon after open the doors of The State Theatre  to the public! Only 14 days to go until the first audience preview and two days later the official press Opening performance on 13 July 2014! Eeek!

I am itching to see a small something of what's happening in the rehearsal room and might just be lucky enough to see a glimpse of the process today. I have been avidly watching the RNDS Facebook Fanpage for updates and pictures and I am getting beyond excited for each individual involved in the creation of this exciting new venture, Reik Na Die Sterre - die Grootste Afrikaanse Musical nog ooit!!

Here is a sneak 'behind-the-scenes' preview clip!

During that first week the tweets were going crazy (#reiknadiesterre) with all the cast members claiming aching muscles and exhausted bodies from the first few days of intensive choreography with Director Choreographer Ferdinand Gernandt (and hubby of moi!). The team even faced a lengthy power failure, but dedicated and determined, they continued tapping and dancing in the dark!

Vocal sessions soon followed with Murray Lubbe and Marlee van der Merwe, they have recently completed the studio recordings for all the supporting bv's and the fresh newly arranged tracks are being finalized as we speak. And I believe the first 'stagger throughs' of the show are already under way.

The cast are being dressed and styled by The Warderobe Studio who are hard at work putting the 'look' of each character together.




The set and decor is developing day by day and inch by inch to become the largest set the theatre has held in over a decade!

And the cast and production team have been actively promoting the show on television and radio, with several cast members visiting the wonderfully supportive GrootFM. With lots more marketing and promotion on its way!


This promises to be one spectacular production and I honestly can't hold myself in until Opening!


Look out for their TV spot flighting on the kykNET channel from next week and check out the weekly upload of videos on the YouTube channel SmashHitTV.



AND while you're at it, why don't you enter the KykNET Reik Na Die Sterre competition!!
You can win 5 double tickets to the show, that's 10 tickets!!! Just follow this link to enter. :)

I believe The Smash Hit Company has a hit on their hands, you're not gonna want to miss it!


Tickets available at Computicket!
Kaartjies by Computicket beskikbaar!

See you all at the show!

Reik Na Die Sterre #ComingAttractions

Reik Na Die Sterre - Die Grootste Afrikaanse Musical nog ooit!

Many performers begin their careers going from contract to contract and job to job, merely grateful to be working - not always considering where life or their careers are taking them. But then there are some among us who have a very clear idea of where they are headed, it is purely a case of how and when they'll get there.
My husband, Ferdinand Gernandt is one of those incredibly talented and driven individuals and this is a forthcoming project he's in the middle of preparing for - I can not tell you how excited I am for it!

The Smash Hit Company has been developing this original project for over a year now and it is mind-blowing to think that in such a short time it will become a reality. Ferdinand wrote the piece around the memorable and well-known music of the Afrikaans legend Bless Bridges. However it is a completely fresh original story (not relating to the life of Bless) and all the newly arranged songs by Murray Lubbe further enhances and carries this tale about young love, war and family.

Here is the newly released music video of the title song 'Reik Na Die Sterre' sung by Willem Botha and Kristen Raath. Produced by The Smash Hit Company.

This production has secured some of the most talented artists in our industry, a powder keg full of well-knowns and up-and-comings!

The magical Sarah Theron and Richard van der Westhuizen will portray the parents of young Stephan, played by the talented Willem Botha. Neels Clasen will be playing the militaristic father of beautiful young Jana, who will be portrayed by the bright Kristen Raath, making her theatrical debut. The full cast list further includes Kenneth Meyer, Lee Scott, Marcel Spaumer, Marco Spaumer, Zak Hendrikz, Weslee Swain Lauder, Reg Hart, Clint Lesch, Phillip Schnetler, Stephan van der Walt, Emil Haarhoff, Tristin Gernandt, Annica Steenkamp, Joanna Abatzoglou, Michelle Pieterse, Stefania duToit, Pulane Rampoana, Suzaan Helberg, Nastassja Jooste, Sarah-Ann Kroukamp and Marijke Bezuidenhout.

Here is a 'behind-the-scenes' chat with Willem Botha, on set of the music video shoot at the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria.

Hubby will be directing and choreographing for Reik Na Die Sterre, which is about to go into rehearsals and preparations from the 8th of June. Doors at the The State Theatre will officially open on 10 July for this exciting project (running until 3 August) and tickets are already available at Computicket.

I personally cannot wait and will be front and centre at the Opening!
So opgewonde hiervoor!! Yay x

Chat soon,

Droomkind Opening #OutAndAbout

So blessed to be attending so much theatre at the moment. It truly is a testament to the health and growth of the industry and I love that I'm able to experience so many productions from the audience perspective and support all my friends and colleagues who share my passion and love for the stage.

It's a special thing to be able to experience theatre in your own home language and makes you feel not only proudly Afrikaans but also proudly South African to watch the original production of Droomkind - Die Storie van Josef come alive. There were many wonderful performances but the two performers I want to highlight, are Zak Hendrikz and Clint Arno Lesch. 

Clint (also Musical Director) plays a delightfully comic character who bursts into joyous song in the jail and I am so thrilled for him and his incredible vocals to be showcased in this way. Zak demands your attention as several characters in the production and creates a heart wrenching scene at the climax of the second Act, he is just one of the most intellectual, layered and committed actors I have come across and I so enjoy watching him in action.

Marisa Drummond is fabulous as the sassy Zelda and never disappoints, Bobby van Jaarsveld's velvet voice (and golden torso) is soaked up by the room who all just love to love Bobby. And Philip Moolman and Edrien Erasmus are heartwarming narrators of the well known story in its re-worked setting.  

Visually Droomkind is beautiful, with the stage design by Nadine Minnaar so clever, so practical and so seamless. Nadine creates magic, the State Theatre is so lucky to have her. The lighting, wardrobe and hair designs are wonderful. (I just love Marisa's hair as Zelda) But to me, the star of the show is the choreographer Timothy Le Roux, who's work is instantly identifiable for its finesse and sophistication, for its effortless transitions and how he manages to make anyone executing his work look magnificent. It always makes me wish he had choreographed it on me. I believe Tim to be such an under-appreciated gem in our industry and I really hope that he will be celebrated and revered as he deserves to be.

Renier and Lise-Marie Keyser, Elizma Badenhorst, Timothy Le Roux, Clint Lesch, Matthys Maree and the Droomkind company can feel very proud of a great production, I wish them every success with their run. It was certainly a lovely Sunday afternoon out with my hubby after a very busy two weeks and I felt blessed to have been there. 

Chukkas Droomkind Co - Toi Toi!

Love,