ABOUT THIS SHOW
What holds us together between this world and the next?
The evocative live music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo forms the foundation of this Steppenwolf world premiere production written and co-directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson. As the story travels from Chicago’s Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond, Lindiwe’s love story challenges us to define the boundaries between this world and the next, all the while exploring the sacrifices we make for love.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Steppenwolf
Lindiwe features the five-time Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo and marks the third collaboration between Steppenwolf and Ladysmith. The legendary a cappella group and Steppenwolf first partnered in 1992 for The Song of Jacob Zulu, which was also directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and transferred to Broadway receiving six Tony nominations. In 1996, Simonson, Steppenwolf and Ladysmith teamed up again for the “beautiful and deeply moving” (Chicago Tribune) production of Nomathemba, which went on to The Kennedy Center. Simonson received an Oscar nomination for his 2000 documentary On Tiptoe: The Music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo about the group’s global impact and message of love and peace.
“Lush, warm, glorious harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo… No other artist from South Africa or the Zulu nation has ever had such a widespread appeal and recognition" – BBC
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been bringing a message of Peace and Love around the world for nearly five decades… the harmonies and rhythms influencing American pop music as the group appeared with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and others. The nine men breathe, click, sing, whistle like birds and move as one organism… a melodic line weaving in and out like a tapestry of notes” – Chicago Stage Standard
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Watch & Listen
Content Advisory
Steppenwolf does not proactively offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
Stage Effects Advisory
Steppenwolf does not proactively offer advisories about stage effects, as sensitivities vary from person to person. Click below to learn more about the stage effects used in the show.
If you have further questions, contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
Get $10 off tickets
Looking for something to do with your family, friends or co-workers for the holidays? For a limited time, groups of just 6+ can get a discount on tickets to all performances of Lindiwe. Enter code GROUP6, get $10 off each ticket—the more the merrier!
Additional Information
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Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Author Eric Simonson
- Music Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Director Eric Simonson
- Director Jonathan Berry
- Additional Music Frank Russell
- Casting Director JC Clementz
- Scenic Design Collette Pollard
- Costume Design Karin Kopischke
- Lighting Design Marcus Doshi
- Sound Design Michael Bodeen
- Sound Design Rob Milburn
- Company Voice & Text Coach Gigi Buffington
- Production Stage Manager Laura D. Glenn
- Assistant Stage Manager Jacqueline Saldana
- South African Cultural Consultant Mlondolozi Zondi
Featured Ensemble Members
FEATURING
ensemble member Yasen Peyankov and Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Reviews
"For those of us who have loved their music all these years, it is so good to see (and hear) Ladysmith Black Mambazo back in Chicago. They are musical uniters and global boundary-crossers and, especially now many of the members are of a second generation even as the rest of world has grown less connected, their warm-centered presence and harmonics both soothe and offer hope for a more empathetic world" – Chicago Tribune
"‘Lindiwe’ — and Ladysmith Black Mambazo — will win you over… largely owing to South African star Tembe’s radiant stage presence, along with the inarguably joyful spirit and hushed, penetrating harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo" – Chicago Sun-Times
Lead Production Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
Grand Production Sponsors
Donald and Anne Edwards
Bill and Ethel Gofen
IDEAS TO GO
The Irving Harris Foundation
Keyt Consulting
Lefkofsky Family Foundation
Deborah and Stephen Quazzo
Individual Production Sponsors
Andrew and Amy Bluhm
Liam and Francesca Connell
Aimee Graham and Nigel Caine
Joan M. Hall
Jared Kaplan and Maridee Quanbeck
Jim and Kay Mabie
Jeff Maling and Rebecca Johnston
Chuck Smith
Stephanie B. Smith and Gerald Smith
Pam and Russ Strobel
Ronald and Geri Yonover
Consortium Production Sponsors
Mr. and Mrs. John Aalbregtse
Ginger and Del Hall
Cathy and Perry Iverson
Anne and Don Phillips
Matthew Shapiro
Endowment Sponsors
Hope Abelson Fund for New Play Development
Nancy L. Wald Endowment Fund