After watching the Mamma Mia Musical in the cinema in 2008, René van Zyl and creative friend, Marlene MacKay, decided that it is high time for Christian Musicals to have the same effect on people: they should feel an exultation of spirit. They should leave the theatre filled with energy, uplifting musical memories and joie de vivre! That very evening René wrote her first Christian musical, Mamma Mia, a Child is Born.
Christian Musical Theatre, a community project, was started to show the audience the magic of theatre and old Bible stories- with a non-profit objective. We stage contemporary Christian musicals that convey Biblical values in an energetic, humorous and entertaining way. We have staged 13 musicals over the last 14 years.
As a scriptwriter René van Zyl goes to great lengths to create unique characters we can immediately recognize, laugh at, enjoy and relate to, while carefully choosing modern day songs to express themselves. While the score includes different contemporary bands' music, she tries to use them in surprising ways, so it feels like we’re hearing not only the music, but the old Bible story for the first time. The good news is that she is living in the cradle of mankind on the slopes of the Magalies mountain range in Hartbeespoort in South Africa. Creativity has always been blooming here and talent is all around. People from different backgrounds and cultures come together to share in the joy of performing. Christian Musical Theatre was born in 2008 - and, boy, we rock!
The cast of the musical, Ester, Queen of Persia. Colorful, entertaining, energetic and spectacular.
FEATURED IN
Some articles on our earlier shows. Belly Buttons article: Mamma Mia and Joseph: Chantal van Zyl in action on stage. Article in: Zills O'Mag.