A STAR IS BORN!

South Africa Welcomes Star Of The Hit Musical, The Color Purple Musical SA, Didintle Khunou, With Open Arms.

Didintle Khunou, lead actress in The Color Purple Musical, knew she was destined for the stage.

South African audiences were blown away and immensely proud of the world class quality production that was The Color Purple Musical at The Joburg Theatre in February 2018.  The production received rave reviews from all directions, commending the all South African incredibly talented cast of 17 for their effortlessly powerful and soul jerking performances. The leads of the cast included South African house hold names such as Lerato Mvelase, Aubrey Poo and emerging talents, Neo Motaung, Sebe Leotlele and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri. At the helm of this brilliant ensemble is the young and imminent starlet, Didintle Khunou who surprised everyone:

 The Daily Maverick,
"I don’t think Ive ever seen a show where the standing ovation begins a couple of songs before the story has ended. But when the incredible Didintle Khunou belts out I’m Here in The Color Purple, the audience is right there with her, on its feet and wiping away tears above the smiles. Goosebumps abound. Didintle Khunou has come out of nowhere to soar in this bold musical that makes brow-beaten black women the stars of its story. It’s a magnificent piece of work with a theme that South Africans need to emulate, and rise up against brutish partners to take control of their own destinies."
The Daily Maverick - https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-02-06-theatre-review-the-color-purple-singing-with-one-collective-voice/
The Sowetan,
"Didintle Khunou wows audiences night after night in her portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple musical, currently on at the Joburg Theatre. If it's not her intense portrayal of the abused young woman, then it's the vocal notes Khunou, 25, hits with great ease.
She remembers how she staged the coup to win over the casting team of the musical.
"I went to a second-hand shop in Melville for a dress to resemble the character best.
"I had seen the movie and worried that I didn't look like Whoopi Goldberg with my light complexion and I gave the audition my all and after call-backs, I got the role," she says."
​The Sowetan - https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2018-02-24-head-in-the-stars-but-didintle-khunou-still-grounded/

Eye Witness News,
"Lead actress, Didintle Khunou (Celie) has a voice larger than her tiny stature. She skillfully portrays the ups and downs of a girl often called ugly and denied the right to dream with her melodic rendition of the songs."
Eye Witness News - http://ewn.co.za/2018/02/14/thecolorpurple-beautiful-and-here

Waidene Laing (Entertainment  writer, blogger, actress)
"Didntle Khunou’s performance of Celie was, of course, a standout. She embodied her character from a young and naïve girl, to a strong and powerful woman scarred with all of her life’s tribulations. Khunou’s voice was so pure and raw that her heart wrenching shouts to God had you questioning and praying along with her. As a young actor, she exemplified such a heavy and complex character with ease."
Waydene Laing - https://waydenelaing.com/2018/02/05/review-the-color-purple-sa/

The PressReader,
"American Composers Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray joined the long list of people who can't stop talking about the local version of their musical. . . The Color Purple was Bay's Broadway debut. A Grammy - Nominated producer who's worked with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and the brains behind Madonna's Into The Groove and Papa Don't Preach. "The musical is fantastic. We have heard South Africa's vocal style before so to have it applied to our musical is a dream come true." he said. "I cant believe this was [lead actress] Didintle Khunou's debut. We were all blown away."
The Press Reader - https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/citypress/20180218/281646780612865


The Color Purple Musical will be returning to The Joburg Theatre by popular demand in celebration of Women's month this August 2018.

Didintle Khunou as Celie belting, hit number 'I'm Here' from The Color Purple Musical. Image by EnroCPics