Sing! A South African and American Musical Holiday Celebration

See it if Catchy upbeat music by 4 singers, a drummer, and an instrumentalist, interspersed with interesting South African cultural stories.

Don't see it if You are looking for an overall dramatic narrative.

See it if you like audience interaction and you'd like to see a holiday concert that combines Western and African musical traditions.

Don't see it if audience interaction makes you uncomfortable, you don't like sing alongs, and you need a story.

Also I'm only rating this show low because I had my own expectations after seeing Thuli Dumakude's beautiful and moving "Africa, My Beautiful." This was a very different effort. That was beautiful unamplified singing in a small, intimate space. This was very amplified singing in a bigger theatre. That was a compelling story with a strong focus on the friendship and mentor relationship between two women. This was Thuli and her three backup singers/dancers and two musicians. There were some transition bits but they were out of place and abstracted. As more than a concert, whatever story there was felt very disjointed.

There were some nice harmonies and the show had a good energy. The dancing and performance were very engaging. It just wasn't what I was looking for. I go to concerts to dance. I go to theatre for a story. The sing alongs and repeatedly bringing the lights up... I just wasn't in the space to engage with it tonight.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear good singing and sing along for 2 songs

Don't see it if you only like to see things you already know about

See it if you want to smile from ear to ear for 90 minutes; you want to see performers enjoying themselves and you want to escape the season doldrums

Don't see it if If you are looking for a play, this is more of a concert; you do not want to have fun or sing Xmas songs along with the performers;

See it if you enjoy South African music and personality.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the South African beat.

See it if you enjoy South African music in a casual intimate format with fun audience participation.

Don't see it if you're expecting traditional holiday music or a polished performance.

Also Up front we were told that this show was put together as a last minute replacement, and although that is clear in the execution, this is a feel good evening worth your time and money. I agree with some of the other comments that having the English translation of the Zulu lyrics would have made it a more impactful experience, but Ms. Dumakude did a lovely job setting the scenes and giving us a little context. I wish there more South African Christmas carols included in the repertoire.... Read more Read less

See it if Want an uplifting amazing night of theatre. I even sang when Santa Claus is coming to town into the mic. That's how inspiring this is. Sing

Don't see it if See it.

See it if You enjoy South African music

Don't see it if You are expecting a highly polished production

Also If she forgets the Mandela song, remind her! Beautiful and moving

See it if you want to be lifted out of your seat by powerful singing and master musicians

Don't see it if if you don't like some audience participation, expect something totally scripted, or don't appreciate music from other cultures.

Also I had a smile on my face all night and was swaying and tapping my feet as I listened to the very powerful voice of Thuli Dumakude and the magical music of Mthakathi and Jimmy Mngwandi.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to really 'have some fun!', as she says in the show. If you want something outside the box for the holidays, this is for you.

Don't see it if Take a chance! Just go!!

See it if Like Wonderful African singing, and audience participation. Learning about a new culture. Excellent singing voices, by the 3 women. Fun

Don't see it if Don't like the African dialect, a lot of different instruments, being played, bt 2 people.

See it if ...you like world music, appreciate timeless folksongs, enjoy audience participation, like your heart warmed by universal human experiences.

Don't see it if ...you expect dialog, fancy costumes, staging or musical arrangements, name stars.

See it if See it for the pure joy you will get in glistening to this group. They will transport you to a whole new level of delight.

Don't see it if See it!!! You won't be sorry. I cannot imagine anyone not being delighted and moved by the singers.

Also Thule Dumakinde and her small but magical group performed the best multicultural music I have heard. It made no difference that some of the songs were in a language I could not understand. They all exude such joy. The tribute to Mandela was soulful and beautiful. They drew the audience in. Loved the participation.... Read more Read less

See it if Enjoy cultural music

Don't see it if If you are looking for a glamorous stage production

See it if you want a concert with bits of storytelling, rather than an actual play or musical. There's not much of a fourth wall here, either.

Don't see it if You prefer conventional theatre.

See it if You want to see a great female vocalist and performer, Thuli Dumakude

Don't see it if You're sure you don't enjoy African music.

See it if A lovely evening of traditional music from South Africa with a splash of tradional holiday carols and songs

Don't see it if If you don't like Paul simons "Graceland "

See it if You want a lovely 90 minute escape from holiday/winter blues, enjoy music from around the world and are ready to be transported. Loved it.

Don't see it if Don't enjoy S. African culture, playful audience participation, want big production, or don't like world music. Want traditional Amer. Xmas.

Also A group of five of us saw this together and we all loved it. Thuli Dumakude and her talented colleagues are filled with joy, boundless energy and warm spirit. You'll hear some stories about how holidays are honored in South Africa, and you'll be moved to clap, sway, dance and sing along. Blissful.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to hear world music performed by great singers & musicians. You want a joyful celebration for the holidays

Don't see it if You have no interest in world music. You want a big show w/elaborate sets & costumes.

See it if You want to be blown away. You want to enjoy some great singing and dancing. You want to hear a great story of South African Celebration.

Don't see it if You don't want to hear a concert with great singing and dancing. You do not want to smile and enjoy yourself. You do not want to celebrate.

Also Amazing. Absolutely magnificent. Beautiful voices and great dancing. Two man band and they were awesome on the drums and the guitars, etc. I was blown away. I truly enjoyed the story about how they celebrate in South Africa after the men have been away working in the mines for 10 months. The men come back and then there is a celebration for days.. I loved it. I had such a great time.... Read more Read less

See it if you have an appreciation for authentic African music: vocal, drums, guitar - and if you like storytelling woven into musical entertainment.

Don't see it if you are looking for a plot-driven musical, or you don't enjoy ethnic songs and instruments.

See it if you enjoy high energy musical performances. The show combines South African traditional songs and instruments with Christmas carols.

Don't see it if you expect a plot or characters. This is a variety show with storytelling, singing and dancing as well as audience participation.

See it if You appreciate African culture and enjoy good singing

Don't see it if You want to see a musical with a play, have no interest in African culture, or dislike hearing a foreign language in a show (Zulu)

Also Show would have been more enjoyable to me if there were either subtitles or translations of songs in the progrsms... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience a talented group singing some South African standards as well as some Christmas songs

Don't see it if You want a show with a story or you feel uncomfortable being asked to participate in a Christmas sing-along

See it if You appreciate low budget simple productions with great singing from Dumakude and backup singers and musicians of mostly South African songs

Don't see it if Too jaded to enjoy a good spirited buoyant concert of songs mostly in African languages with story telling and some audience participation

Also I walked out with a big smile on my face. Dumakude is a spit fire and she and her team have great energy. Reminded me of the '60s when Makeba popularized a lot of this material, and most kids knew at least a couple of these songs. A very homespun show which tickled and delighted me. Wish it had been longer.... Read more Read less