This New Multi-Million Dollar Musical Aims to Showcase the Culture of Auckland

The 80-minute production will become the resident show at SkyCity next month.
Stephen Heard
September 12, 2018

It's being billed as a "first of its kind live stage show" that tells the story of our people, culture, city, land and journey. City of 100 Lovers: The Great Auckland Show is a musical comedy that aims to introduce visitors to Tamaki Makaurau by showcasing the places, culture and way of life.

After three years in the making, the 80-minute production will land at SkyCity Theatre this October as a permanent resident show. It will be held daily at 8pm from 12 October. Tickets start at $51.

The stage show produced by Hundred Lovers Productions LP was penned by New Zealand author Justin Brown and arrives at the 700-seat theatre under the direction of New York's Tony Stimac. Further talent involved includes Tom McLeod as Musical Director and Composer, Taiaroa Royal as Choreographer, Ding Ding as Costume Designer and Iain Aitken as Set Designer.

The multi-million dollar production will utilise "advanced, state of the art technology to immerse the audience in new ways of experiencing theatre." It is also advertised as being "full of music, song and dance," with a "comedic Kiwi script that entertains and informs." Local actors Kieran Foster and Rebecca Cullinan will play the core roles of TJ and Sally respectively.

The storyline follows Sally who knows nothing about New Zealand and expects to be disappointed. From there the plot thickens as she meets charismatic Māori tour guide TJ and is captivated by Auckland's multiculturalism, beauty and history. As sparks fly and cultures collide, Sally finds herself turning away from her New York lifestyle – until – the arrival of her ex-husband Donald and friend Deede. To make matters worse, Donald wants to build a hotel complex near TJ's family marae and Deede falls for TJ...

'City of 100 Lovers' opens at SkyCity Theatre on October 12, 2018. For more information and tickets, visit 100lovers.co.nz.

Image: SkyCity.

Published on September 12, 2018 by Stephen Heard
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