Haylea Heyns

Pieter Toerien and Kickstart present Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

Fosse, Lauper, Sondheim, Lerner and Loewe: just a few of the names whose brilliant productions are gracing South African stages this year. From legendary musicals to captivating straight plays, here are 9 of the most talked about and anticipated shows to look forward to in 2019.

Every generation, past or present, knows what a great musical is: it's one that's so hauntingly memorable, its score and plot reflective of the time or the aspirations of the time. Such is The Sound of Music whose songs and romantic narrative have haunted us to this very day, since its November 16, 1959 Broadway opening.

From England to New Zealand to Hong Kong, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced 2006 lavish revival of The Sound of Music finally made it to Manila, which officially held its gala performance last Friday, September 29, at The Theatre at Solaire and an after party at the Diamond Hotel. (Thanks to Globe Live, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Concertus Manila, and David Atkins Enterprises--yes, it takes a village to import a first-rate international theatrical production!)

Associate Director Frank Thompson, who was also the resident director of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival production of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, presented the cast of the international touring production of The Sound of Music, led by Carmen Pretorius (Maria) and Janelle Visagie (Mother Abbess), at a media call yesterday.