Lindiwe: Zulu Sound Meets Chicago Blues

The Local Tourist’s tickets for two to the press performance of Lindiwe compliments of Steppenwolf Theatre.

Lindiwe with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Photo by Michael Brozilow)
Lindiwe and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Photo by Michael Brozilow)

Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of Lindiwe, written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is now on stage. Directed by Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago’s Kingston Mines to Durban, South Africa and beyond. A love story that marries traditional South African sounds from Zulu culture with Chicago’s iconic blues, Lindiwe explores what lies beyond this life.

Adam Meets Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Photo by Michael Brozilow)
Adam Meets Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Photo by Michael Brozilow)

Supernatural themes permeate the play, and to speak of the plot exactly would be a terrible spoiler. The music by Ladysmith Black Mambazo takes the audience on a journey across the world. The central question: “What would you do for love?” is asked again and again. Lindiwe is a story of love, loss, sacrifice, and faith.

The Keeper's Ultimatum (Photo by Michael Brozilow)
The Keeper’s Ultimatum (Photo by Michael Brozilow)

Lindiwe marries the traditional South African sounds from the province of KwaZulu-Natal (also known as Zulu) with Chicago’s iconic blues. The show features acclaimed local musicians alongside Ladysmith Black Mambazo. 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.

Lindiwe Sings (Photo by Michael Brozilow)
Lindiwe Sings (Photo by Michael Brozilow)

This is Steppenwolf’s third collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The legendary South African a cappella group first partnered with the theatre in 1992 for The Song of Jacob Zulu, also directed by Eric Simonson and transferred to Broadway receiving six Tony nominations. The ensembles teamed up again in 1996 for Nomathemba, which went on to The Kennedy Center.

Steppenwolf Theatre is located at 1650 North Halsted Street in the heart of Chicago’s Clybourn Corridor.


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