Award-winning and globally-recognised production company Showtime will debut their highly-anticipated new stage show spectacular – 1999 The Ultimate Prince Experience – at Cape Town’s Artscape Opera House in May.
The genius, innovation and grandeur of the one-and-only Prince – this immersive stage show experience pays tribute and reverence to one of the greatest musical pioneers of our time, and is set to debut daily shows from 27-31 May in The Mother City.
1999 The Ultimate Prince Experience is a new theatre-style tribute concert celebrating Prince’s catalogue of music with dedicated live performances from talented South African multi-instrumentalist, Dale Ray, on vocals, guitar and piano, and an 8-piece dance band in support.
Johannesburg-based singer and musician, Dale Ray, says he is excited to bring the iconic legacy of Prince to life on stage for the very first time.
“I intend on giving the people an unforgettable Prince tribute experience, as close to the real deal as possible.”
Read Also: Abdullah Ibrahim withdrew from Cape Town International Jazz Festival Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
He adds: “I hope to portray Prince as the multi-instrumentalist that he was, the agile, energetic performer that he was, and the generous entertainer that he will always be remembered for,” shares Ray,
In preparation for the tribute show, Ray says impersonating a musical icon such as Prince, who influenced a generation of artists, is “a massive honour”.
“Prince played virtually every instrument and what he brought to this life through his performances and his music, is an absolute blessing and privilege for me to bring to other fans of his music,” says Ray.
Showtime Australia CEO and show producer, Johnny Van Grinsven, admits that 1999 The Ultimate Prince Experience is “a must-see for all die-hard Prince fans. He adds that the show is “electrifying, full of energy, flawless, and will leave you wanting more.”
“It’s a fitting commemoration in this world-class production that evokes the wondrous and quixotic realm of Prince – his music, his art, his vision. This show brings all the magic of Prince’s great music and quirky costumes to the stage, and we are so thrilled to launch the production in Cape Town.”
Mother City audiences are in for a treat! Expect a sensory spectacular, bespoke costuming and production as well as a raft of iconic songs – Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Kiss, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret, Diamonds and Pearls, Cream, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Let’s Go Crazy! and more.
Tickets for this spectacular concert experience in Cape Town can purchased via Computicket at either www.computicket.com or via Checkers and Shoprite retail stores, countrywide, and range betweenR250 and R390 each.
*Proudly presented by Showtime Australia. Not associated with The Prince Estate.
MORE ABOUT DALE RAY
Dale is a self-taught piano player, having started at age 5 and played by ear for 10 years. At the age of 15, Dale enrolled for formal music training at Hosanna Music School.
Here, he completed his grade 4 practical piano exams, and studied up until grade 5 music theory with Royal Schools. Dale continued these classical piano lessons until he was 19 years old. In 2009, Dale enrolled at The Campus of Performing Arts (COPA), even winning the Student of the Year award in his first year as well as getting distinctions in all his subjects. In 2010, he graduated from COPA with a higher diploma in music performance and music production.
Read Also: Spotify Launches RADAR, Global Artist Emerging Programme with 19 Sister Programmes Spanning More Than 50 Markets
By 2011, Dale joined Showtime Australia, working as a keyboardist, lead vocalist, saxophonist, and musical director. With Showtime, Dale performed in hundreds of shows, all around the world.
2014 saw Dale venturing into musical theatre as an actor, singer and dancer. He has since been cast in a number of South African musicals, including three of Janice Honeyman’s famous Pantomimes.
Dale is contracted once again, as the musical director for the 2020 pantomime, Cinderella, which is set to take place in Johannesburg later this year. This will mark the 7th consecutive pantomime Dale has been involved in.
Through his very-own production company, Dale Ray Productions, Dale has been responsible for heading up the music for numerous corporate events and theatre shows. Dale continues to work as a performing multi-instrumentalist, musical director and arranger across South Africa for different artists, choirs, schools, theatres and production companies.
Some highlights include: being chosen by world-renowned jazz pianist, Abdullah Ibrahim, to play in his Youth Orchestra; Co-writing the musical, Penelope Pixie’s Birthday Adventure, which was nominated for a Durban Theatre Award; Performing with Garth Taylor as an opening act for Grammy nominee, Brian McKnight, and most recently, being appointed as the Musical Director of the Tony Award-Winning musical – The Color Purple.
– ENDS –