2025 – Cape Town
The Long Way Home follows Alex, a young musician from Cape Town who leaves home in search of fame and purpose — travelling through the streets of Rio, into the heart of New Orleans, and across continents, chasing dreams that slowly unravel through heartbreak, betrayal, and longing. An original South African work with international flair, written to celebrate local talent and tell a story that belongs here.
The show was co-written by Hema Maskowitz and musical director Tersia Harley, directed by Philippa van Ryneveld in her directorial debut, and starred Sechaba Makhoti and Nicola de Jager in the leading roles. The band featured Chris Cameron-Dow on piano, David Bolton on drums, Razak Johnson on guitar and banjo, Christian van Heerden on bass, Bernard Kisbey-Green on saxophone, and Laura Basson on clarinet and vocals.
Hema served as co-author, production designer, and lighting designer and operator — building a rig that had to travel with Alex across continents, shifting from the warmth of Cape Town to the heat of Rio to the smoky intimacy of New Orleans, all within the intimate confines of the Milnerton Playhouse.
The production’s standout moment came courtesy of the Iminqweno Yethu Choir, brought in at Hema’s invitation through an existing relationship with their choir leader. Their voices, supported by the full band, brought Alex home to Cape Town in a finale that moved audiences.
The Long Way Home ran to strong reviews and full houses. It was exactly what it set out to be — a homegrown musical, made by Cape Town people, for Cape Town audiences.
