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Book now – before it’s gone again!
Fresh from winning Best Student Production at the prestigious Naledi Theatre Awards, the smash-hit Godspell is back – bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever. For 12 shows only, from Wednesday 27 August to Sunday 7 September 2025, Wits Theatre will once again come alive with the colour, energy, and heart that made last year’s run a sold-out sensation.
If you missed it in 2024, this is your redemption moment and if you saw the first production, prepare for a brand-new rush of joy, humour, and goosebump moments as fresh talent joins the award-winning cast.
The great news is that safe parking IS available for theatre guests. Evening access is via the Station Street Entrance off Jorissen Street and School buses via Yale Road. Please make sure you have your ID or driver’s license for entry onto Wits campus.
Why Godspell? Why Now?
Godspell is no ordinary musical. Conceived by John Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz, it reimagines the Gospel of Matthew as a vibrant, modern parable told through song, comedy, and raw human connection.
Packed with hits like Day by Day and Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord, the score moves effortlessly from rock to folk to vaudeville, carrying messages of kindness, compassion, and community that feel more urgent than ever.
And in South Africa, Godspell carries a legacy. First staged here in 1973 by Des and Dawn Lindberg with a multiracial cast, it defied apartheid laws and made history as the first integrated musical theatre production in the country. Initially banned under the excuse of “blasphemy”, the Lindbergs fought and won a landmark Supreme Court case that cemented the production’s place in our cultural history.
Malcolm Purkey, Consulting Director at Wits Theatre, puts it bluntly: “In 1973, Godspell went beyond entertainment shaking the foundations of South African theatre. It stood for unity, courage, and for breaking down barriers that should never have existed. Today, it still carries that fire. This is a story that will lift you, challenge you, and remind you what’s worth fighting for. But here’s the thing – you only have 12 chances to experience it. When the curtain falls on 7 September, it’s gone. Don’t wait for history to come to you. Be there,” he says.
The Creative Powerhouse: Tracey Human
At the helm once again is Tracey Human – a dynamic director, performer, and choreographer whose career has spanned the stage and beyond. Tracey is celebrated for her ability to draw out raw, authentic performances from her cast while creating visually striking, emotionally charged theatre. Her 2024 staging of Godspell at Oakfields College went beyond winning awards to setting a new benchmark for student productions in South Africa. Her vision blends respect for the show’s historical roots with fresh, fearless storytelling that resonates with today’s audiences.
Stars That Shine Brighter
This run welcomes Yahto Kraft as Jesus, bringing his signature stage presence and vocal firepower, and sees the return of Grant Towers as Judas – a performance that last year’s audiences couldn’t stop talking about. They join a talented company of Oakfields College Musical Theatre and Dance students, from first year to final year, each ready to claim their place in South Africa’s performance future.
· Dates: 27 August – 7 September 2025
· Venue: Wits Theatre, Johannesburg
· Tickets: From R80 at Webtickets and Pick ‘n Pay
· Group Bookings / School Matinees: michelej@oakfieldscollege.co.za
Book now. Experience the joy. Feel the fire. Be part of the legacy.
Oakfields College is a leading South African creative and performing arts institution, with campuses in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Edenvale, offering hands-on, industry-focused courses from 3D animation to fashion, film, make-up, and sound engineering.
Follow the journey: Facebook: Wits Theatre Instagram: @Wits_Theatre_ #Godspell2025 #OakfieldsCollege #NalediAwardWinner #MusicalTheatreSA #WitsTheatre #GodspellReturns #SupportStudentTheatre #SouthAfricanTheatre
Media Queries: Bridget van Oerle – bridget@thebuzhive.co.za / 083 263 6991 Iviwe Tom – media@thebuzhive.co.za / 078 311 0492
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