Santa's Story at the Fugard Theater

Our friend Iris works at the Fugard Theater and she told us about this show so we went last night. This is the write-up: Santa's Story returns to the Fugard Studio following a successful run at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Johannesburg. Santa's Story is a moving, one woman show depicting Santa Pelham`s journey of courage and hope through discrimination to heart breaking losses. Her daughter, well known singer Aviva Pelham, performs this meaningful story of hope and inspiration with wonderful Klesmer music in the Fugard Studio. Award winning Aviva Pelham is one of South Africa’s foremost performing artists, having distinguished herself in countless starring roles in opera, operetta, and musicals and concert. Her vibrant personality and outstanding voice have shone on the stages of major theatres locally as well as in London, Paris and Israel. Aviva has a passion for upliftment programmes and mentors fresh talent from all walks of life. She has directed galas, concerts, fundraisers and has a Master’s Degree in Music. Ms Pelham has been nominated in the category of BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN MUSIC THEATRE AND/OR A MUSICAL for her role in Santa’s Story. Santa’s Story returns to the Fugard Studio Theatre due to overwhelming popular demand after an initial sold out season in 2012. The story is much more compelling. Santa and her family were on the run from Nazi Germany and they were forced out of Germany and Spain. Most of her family ended up in Auschwitz. Santa was introduced to a man in Africa who she ended up marrying but she made the trek without having meeting him. At the end, Santa stood up (she's now 95) and while she usually sings the final song - she sang opera - she was too emotional. After the show we were in the lobby when Aviva and Santa appeared and we had the opportunity to meet them. Truly a special evening.