Actress - a pocket musical

21/09/2023

A big THANK YOU to South African Jewish Report Newspaper for this feature on Talia Kodesh ahead of ACTRESS opening next week!

Take a read!

Then get your tickets via Webtickets

ACTRESS is on stage at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio at Montecasino from 27 September - 8 October.

https://www.sajr.co.za/actress-brings-performers-dramedy-to-life/?fbclid=IwAR36sea6yKWxNDjO7odb9i7N4Rh3IKRAH_pHmAj7hJg6YrzGIrnxoaeLQQE

Actress, teacher, writer, singer, dancer, and chorographer Talia Kodesh has performed in many acclaimed musicals

19/09/2023

ACTRESS opens NEXT WEEK at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio - have you got your tickets yet?

Taking a break from rehearsals, Talia Kodesh (who plays ‘Actress’ - and also wrote the musical with Bruce Dennill ) gives us some insight into the show and how it came about.

Q. Although Actress is not strictly biographical, there are elements of your own story in the show. What aspects of the story do you think audiences will relate to – and what do you relate to most in the script?

A. The themes of the show are in fact the most important elements, while the storyline is merely a platform upon which to exhibit these themes. They comprise all basic themes of failure and success, loss and discovery, heartache and triumph and many more. The concept that I perhaps relate to most is that we can and should be able to be vulnerable, and not have to “act” all the time. We are less alone than we think.

Q. You have a wonderful track record in major musicals such as Beauty And The Beast, Rent and Chicago, as well as more intimate pieces like The Last Five Years. How does Actress differ from those bigger shows in terms of what you need to do onstage?

A. So far the major difference is that there is no previous version of this show. No blueprint, prior run or alternate construction. We are creating this piece of theatre from nothing. Every element is brand new. I’ve never had the experience of creating a character from scratch, singing brand new songs and workshopping a piece of theatre… and it is a thrilling experience!

Q. How do you think the songs in the show help take the story further? Is that something you love about musicals in general?

A. If the book and the songs in a musical speak to each other, then yes, it is what I love about musicals. The initial inception of each of Bruce’s songs came from a place of storytelling. Bruce and I would meet, we would write a scene or two and then he would produce a song that spoke directly to the scene that we had just worked on, thus weaving the songs directly into the narrative of the piece.

Q. You took some time off from the stage to have and raise your two young children. How’s it been getting involved in a production again, while still being a mom and more at the same time?

A. It’s certainly a juggle! However, I have the most supportive family, who care deeply for my work. I love that my children are also being exposed to what I used to do before they were born. It has been thrilling working in this way again!

Q. What are your hopes for Actress after this initial run? Can the production travel and tour, and what other audiences would you like to reach?

A. My hope is that this run of Actress is only the beginning! When Bruce and I were writing, we would write with many people in mind and often dream about the day that others would play this role. This musical is not necessarily gender-, genre- or age-specific. It is a story of emotions, thus making it the perfect platform on which other actors can make their mark.

ACTRESS is on stage at Pieter Toerien's Studio Theatre at Montecasino from Wednesday 27 September - Sunday 8 October.

Shows are: Wednesdays - Fridays at 19h30
Saturdays at 15h00 & 19h30
Sundays at 15h00

Tickets range from R180 - R220
Bookings at Webtickets or calling the theatre box office on 011 511 1988

Here's the direct booking link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1531241942

Hope to see you there!
Let's support new, original musical theatre!
In fact, let's support ALL live theatre!


Here's some pics of Talia in the rehearsal room with director Daniel Keith Geddes

Bruce Dennill Music
The CoLab Network
Pieter Toerien Productions

18/09/2023

Recently, David Batzofin chatted to Talia Kodesh about all things ACTRESS... and other topics...

Have a watch/listen!

ACTRESS opens next week at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio - get your tickets now from Webtickets

https://youtu.be/cY7oPbHunbY?si=1ADPcd_xZioU9VGo

Bruce Dennill Music
The CoLab Network
Pieter Toerien Productions

I chatted to Tali about the upcoming one-woman production Actress. Her collab with Bruce Dennill and Collett Dawson to get this in front of an audience. It h...

13/09/2023

We're exactly TWO WEEKS away from our first performance of ACTRESS and rehearsals are well underway....

Make sure to get your tickets from Webtickets !

ACTRESS
Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio
Montecasino
27 September - 8 October 2023
Wednesdays - Fridays at 19h30, Saturdays at 15h00 & 19h30,
Sundays at 15h00

Here's a message from Talia Kodesh from the rehearsal room...

Rehearsals are well underway for the new original pocket musical ACTRESS, which heads to stage at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino from Wednesd...

09/09/2023

JoziStyle - we appreciate your support in helping us get the word out about ACTRESS!

27 Sept - 8 Oct 2023
Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre & Studio
Montecasino

Read the article here:

The new original pocket musical Actress, conceived and written by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill...

08/09/2023

Thank you Blazon Magazine for your support of ACTRESS!

See you at the theatre! 🎭

The new original pocket musical Actress, conceived and written by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill and starring Talia Kodesh, with direction by Daniel Geddes, will be on stage at Pieter Toerien's Studio Theatre at Montecasino from 27th September – 8th October 2023. Actress is a musical dramedy; a fu...

08/09/2023

ACTRESS stars Talia Kodesh - who also wrote the musical along with Bruce Dennill.

Let's get to know Talia..

Talia Kodesh is a Performing Arts Practitioner with 23 years of professional experience.

She Matriculated from King David Linksfield and went on to study at TUT in Pretoria (Diploma Musical Theatre).

Her Musical Theatre stage credits include:
Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte- Naledi Award: Best Children’s Production), The Sound of Music (Louisa von Trapp), Pieter Torien’s International Touring Production of Cats (Jemima), We Will Rock You (South Africa- Ozzie Osborn; u/s Scaramouche and New Zealand- Scaramouche), Rent (Mimi Marquez), Chicago (Liz; u/s Roxie), Beauty and The Beast (Belle- Naledi Award Nomination: Best Actress in a Musical), Touring Production of Disney’s High School Musical (Gabriella Montez), The Last 5 Years (Cathy; Co-Producer).

During this time, she never gave up on her first love… Dance!
She has remained an active teacher, choreographer, and performance coach, and specializes in professional dance training and consulting. She is proud to be a part of the South African Performing Arts Industry.

During her time living in New York her head flooded with ideas for a one-woman show.

On a fateful morning a decade later, over a casual coffee, a friend and colleague, Bruce Dennill, helped bring these ideas to life in Actress!

And here we are... less than 3 weeks to curtain up!

08/09/2023

Welcome to... ACTRESS!

The new original pocket musical ACTRESS, conceived and written by Talia Kodesh and Bruce Dennill and starring Talia Kodesh, with direction by Daniel Geddes, will be on stage at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino from Wednesday 27th September – Sunday 8th October 2023.

ACTRESS is an original musical dramedy; a funny, moving story of a woman trying to define (and succeed in) her different roles – actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher, and more – while juggling the complexities of all of those responsibilities.

The story takes place in New York and South Africa, following ‘Actress’ on her journey through stress and success, anger and auditions, triumph and tears, dance and delirium and, perhaps, the possibility of peace. There is also assistance and emotional support from an unexpected source...

It’s a tale that anyone who has ever had to adjust to new expectations in all walks of life – their own or someone else’s – will relate to.

Plus showtunes! Pack your dancing shoes, your Theraband, your passport and your tissues.

The show also features eight original songs by Bruce Dennill Music

ACTRESS stars Talia Kodesh and features Nathan Ro as a mystery character.

CREATIVE TEAM:
Written & conceived by Talia Kodesh & Bruce Dennill.
Directed by Daniel Geddes
Sets & costumes by Sarah Roberts.
Lighting design by Denis Hutchinson
Sound design by Henry Underhay.
Original music and lyrics by Bruce Dennill
Musical direction by Bruce Dennill and Paul Elliott
Musical arrangements by Paul Elliott.

ACTRESS is proudly produced by Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network

Get your tickets now via Webtickets
Direct link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1531241942



Pieter Toerien Productions

Actress, starring Talia Kodesh and directed by Daniel Geddes, is the funny, moving story of a woman trying to define and succeed in the different parts she plays (actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher and more) while juggling the demands of all of those roles. The show features eight original son...