Except for Grease, I don't much like musicals. That said, Umoja is one of the only musicals I've ever seen that I do like. Actually though, I didn't just simply "like" Umoja, I kinda fell a little bit in love with it...
Umoja has returned to the lucky Van City
Was told it showed good 'ol dance and real fine ditties,
An offer of a seat came through with some luck
How stoked was I that Umoja totally didn't suck
Not sure why I'm throwing down the sick rhymes, maybe Umoja inspired me… it's a live show with a cast of 35 male and female, young South Africans. They sing and dance through a retrospective/contemporary performance of the history, and the now, of South African music.
I'm tellin' ya, from the moment the drums are first pounded right through to the end, it's got so much energy that I felt kind of lazy for just sitting there and watching while all these unbelievably talented performers stepped, twisted, twirled and turned through some exciting, fast-paced choreography.
How's the singing, you ask? Think of your favourite singer and multiply that by 35. We heard harmonies that one is rarely lucky enough to experience in a live show. Not even the great Wilson Philips could hold a candle to Umoja.
Umoja is an exuberant declaration of the unforgettable role music has played in the evolution of South Africa, in every aspect of its development - social, cultural, political, economic, all areas of life are informed by the beauty of their songs and dances.
I'm really not trying to sound like I lifted these words from some prefab promotional material, but Umoja really was that good.
The show opens with sounds of South Africa's early tribal music (pounding drums and topless performers of both genders) and moves on to gumboot stomp and gospel. Can I just say that the gospel sent shivers up and down the 'ol spine? It's really, really good. You also hear tunes from the apartheid era and current sounds from the urban centres.
The costumes are at least as colorful as the language used by parents who heard today that Britney Spears will soon appear on Sesame Street to sing a duet with Oscar the Grouch. They'll be singing "Toxic". One can't help but wonder which of the two performers will offer young viewers a higher level of toxicity.
Back to Umoja, do you still need convincing to go and check it out? Ok then, the sheer life force thrown into the dance performances is enough to raise the dead just in time for Hallowe'en.
Still not convinced? You'd have to be facing greater challenges than Helen Keller not to get anything out of Umoja.
Enough with the metaphoric scene-setting? Alright. Just trying to help you understand how truly good this show is... good for mind, body and soul.
I defy you to watch Umoja without a smile and a desire for much, much more.
Tickets Tonight has half-price tickets (yee-haw!) for Umoja. It's at the Vogue Theatre on Granville street until November 22. Choose from evening shows on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or a matinee anytime. To get the half-price deal, you have to buy your tickets in person on the day of the performance you will attend.
Tickets Tonight is open 7 days a week from 10am - 6pm at 200 Burrard Street (that's at Burrard and West Cordova street, plaza level). You can visit the Tickets Tonight website to find out more.
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