Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre | 8 – 24 November
Joburg audiences are in for a treat as this original musical with a non-traditional title rolls into
town.
Set against the backdrop of bustling city life, HOW TO DATE LIKE A F@#$&*! GROWNUP
follows the lives of four diverse individuals as they navigate the pitfalls and pleasures of dating
in the digital age. From awkward first encounters to disastrous blind dates, the production
offers a hilarious and often poignant look at the joys and frustrations of modern romance.
At its core, this is a quirky story about the universal quest for love, connection, and
self-discovery in the digital age. Through its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and
laugh-out-loud moments, the production explores themes of vulnerability, authenticity, and the importance of embracing one’s true self in the pursuit of meaningful relationships.
The production was commissioned by VR Theatrical (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas
Carol, Rock of Ages, Here’s to You, Avenue Q) who is renowned for getting behind new and
experimental theatre projects and has had 2 successful developmental runs in Cape Town.
Why the title?
“After extensive market research, we realised that books with expletives in the title had great
appeal in the 20 – 40 year old market,” said Jaco van Rensburg from VRT. “Books ranging in
genre from cook books to self-help all seemed to fare well, so we decided to put the salty title to
the test in the theatrical context.” As the title suggests, this one is not so much focused on your
grandma’s tastes in theatre, but rather aims to speak to and give voice to young people, trying
to find that special person in the 21st Century. As part of VRT’s mandate to create a platform to
develop new theatrical writers, a competent and fresh young writing team was approached.
New music and lyrics
Daniel Geddes, the writer of the score and lyrics, is a seasoned performer, director, musician,
and composer who relished the opportunity to write his first score for a musical. The
pop-inspired score (and additional lyrics) which is jam-packed with the upbeat sounds of Mika,
gut-wrenching break-up songs á-la Adele, Doja Cat trap-hip-hop-vibes and pulsating EDM
(Electric Dance Music) tunes are artfully blended to suit a musical theatre narrative. Mr. Geddes
also directed the first developmental workshop production of HOW TO DATE LIKE A F@#$&! GROWNUP.
Mark Tatham, the writer of the book and lyrics, is a South African actor, dancer, singer, writer, director and producer who is currently playing the role of ‘Timon’ in Disney’s THE LION KING musical in the West End in London which goes to show that South Africa’s talent is world-class. Mark worked remotely on the creation of HOW TO DATE LIKE A F@#$&! GROWNUP, making
this a truly unique South African-but-International collaboration.
The rest of the all-South African team are currently working behind the scenes in preparation for
this electrifying musical comedy which will have a limited run at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino
Theatre from Friday, 8 November – Sunday, 24 November 2024.
The production is rated PG13 and includes themes of an adult nature. Tickets are priced
between R150 – R280 and are available through Webtickets.com or at the theatre’s box office.
Writing Team
Book and Lyrics by Mark Tatham
Score and Lyrics by Daniel Geddes
Creative Team
Direction by Jaco van Rensburg
Original Production Directed by Daniel Geddes
Musical Direction and Arrangements by Wessel Odendaal
Wardrobe Coordination by Ashleigh Butcher
Set Design by Nadine Minnaar
Sound Design by Fried Wilsenach
Lighting Design by Vincent van Niekerk
Johannesburg Performance Details:
Dates: 8 – 24 November
Venue: Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre
Tickets: Webtickets
Ticket Link: https://bit.ly/HTDTickets2024
Additional Performance Information:
Ticket Prices: Ranging from R150 to R280
Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes
Follow the Musical:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowToDateTheMusical
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtodatethemusical/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@how2dateshow
Website: https://howtodatethemusical.com/
