The producer of PACIFICA THE MUSICAL is proud to announce an all-star cast for this love story set in the South Pacific opening at the home of musicals, The Civic, next month.
New Zealand’s finest Pacifica music artists, Tik Tok stars, and multi-award winning voices will take audiences on a beautiful journey from Aotearoa to a mythical Pacific Island, performing a catalogue of our biggest pop songs ever from artists including Hinewehi Mohi, Annie Crummer, Che Fu, Anika Moa, Hollie Smith, King Kapisi, Nesian Mystik, Brooke Fraser, P-Money, Stan Walker and Six60.
This breakthrough production is a coming of age project for New Zealand creatives, transcending cultural shows to deliver a large-scale theatre show akin to musicals like Mamma Mia! and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, by telling stories through hits that have been a soundtrack to our lives.
Former Junior All Black and The Lion King star, Nick Afoa, will lead this extraordinary cast as vocal coach and will also perform the role of kaumatua – a nod to his stellar international career as Simba on stages in Australia, the West End and New Zealand.
In the lead role of Tanga, is Jerry-Moses Roebeck, an island reggae artist and Tik Tok influencer with some 10 million views, and musician who tours with international artists including Fia, Stan Walker, Sammy J and many more. He will alternate the role with Selevasio Tu’ima (Sio) from the Rangatahi band Tone6.
Alternating in the lead female role of Venus, the love interest of Tanga, will be award-winning performer and the Voice of the Pacific vocal artist, Irene Folau; and Ezra Williams – winner of Best Pacific Female Artist and Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist at the Pacific Music Awards in 2019, dancer, and actress whose credits include Romeo & Juliet, Madagascar the Musical, The Little Shop of Horrors.
Performer La KoKo (aka Latoia Sasa-Tepania) will play one of the Aunties. She is a multi-nominated Pacific Music Awards artist and Waiata Maori Music Awards winner 2020, and Best Maori R&B Album and Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist for her song Waiting. Joining her in Auntie duties is Anna Grahame, best known as a support artist for some of NZ’s most talented artists including Teeks, Tami Neilson and Lavina Williams, and for performing at major events including Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, The World Masters Games, Festival One and the Aotearoa Music Awards.
Among the posse is ANASETASIA, an emerging soul, R&B and pop singer-songwriter who released her first EP last December, 2 and has performed several times with her brother Moses Mackay (Sol3Mio, The Bachelor). Gibson “Gibz” Harris, third in TVNZ’s recent talent show 60 Seconds, joins the posse, as does Valerie Fasavalu, an R&B soul artist and backing vocalist for Tahuna Breaks and Sammy J; and Henry Auva’a and George Kaisala-Hadfield, making their theatre debut.
Musical direction is from Stan Walker and Teeks’ MD, Jacob Nansen, one of the most outstanding talents in contemporary New Zealand music. Dazzling and Pacifica inspired costumes are produced by film industry veteran Eithne Curran.
Choreography is by Hadleigh Pouesi, who over his 16-year career has excelled in hip hop/street dance. As well as his hip hop background, Hadleigh incorporates contemporary dance, siva Samoa, kapa haka and physical theatre in his works.
The story begins a long time ago when a curse falls upon an island community and its descendants after a young boy loses a taonga. Fast forward to modern Auckland where a young man is told the dark secret about his island’s past. Leaving behind the girl he is falling in love with, he goes on a journey to discover the truth about his heritage, and to confront the challenge of his identity and his past. His life is changed forever.
In the tradition of smash-hit jukebox musicals, PACIFICA THE MUSICAL’s score will take audiences on a magical journey, blending sounds and styles from around the Pacific, until what emerges is a cohesive sound of Aotearoa /New Zealand today.
PACIFICA THE MUSICAL is written and produced by entertainment industry producer Pak Peacocke, whose work has been with some of the world’s biggest artists including INXS, Talking Heads, Simple Minds, U2 and Elton John. Pak has produced many large scale events throughout his lifetime career in the entertainment business.
PACIFICA THE MUSICAL’s scenic designer is Delainy Kennedy, a multi-media artist who specialises in large scale architectural projection and multi-media installations of the highest calibre.
Be part of this history-making production. Celebrate our Pacific soul, creativity and flair. Tickets on sale today via Ticketmaster from just $49 *Plus service fees
Note – copy for this article provided by Sandra Roberts Publicity.
SEASON DETAILS
Venue: The Civic, Auckland
Dates: From August 19 – 28
Times: Tuesday 6:30pm | Wednesday – Friday 7:30pm | Saturday 2:00pm & 7:30pm | Sunday 3pm
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Price: From $49 *Plus service fees