Love is both conditional and unconditional. Conditional love is the love that I have for my fiery mistress while unconditional love is what I bear for my darling wife, remarked Terrence as he took the stage–clad in a striking black and silver suit that exuded elegance and sophistication.
At his back are three vocalists: 2 ladies and a gentleman, dashing in asymmetrical black dresses adorned with shimmering silver stones and red fascinators in the hair, and a sleek black suit completed with a shimmer shirt adding a touch of glamour, respectively.
The ensemble is completed by; Marcel on the keys, Claude and Mike on the bass, Mutemwa on the saxophone and Karim on the drums, all elegantly attired in sleek black suits strikingly contrasted with vibrant red bow ties which made their look both stylish and memorable.
Not to mention a large screen plastered with: ‘Tonight is The Night, Musical of Love’ written in white and red San serif fonts, elegant black curtains cascading seamlessly to the floor–creating a striking backdrop that adds depth and sophistication to the scene, and LED stage lights that cast a warm illuminating glow on the performers.
Terrence follows his description of love with a spectacular performance of Betty Wright’s Tonight is the Night, a celebration of love before he’s joined by Sabrina Mwerere (stunning a showstopper red round dress with off shoulder sleeves elegantly draping over her arms and highlighting her shoulders and collarbones) as his beautiful ‘wife’.
Tasmia, his ‘fiery mistress’ is breathtakingly adorned in an armless black dress with a long slit on the side, elegantly showcasing her perfectly structured legs. She completes her confident and charming look with a tidy puff of blonde hair, with tendrils softly framing her face, paired with an exquisite necklace and earrings.
As the ‘main chic’, Sabrina is devoted to loving her husband–a commitment she showcases in songs like ‘Baby Come to Me’ by Patti Austin and James Ingram.
On the other hand, Tas (as referred to throughout the night), vows to be a loyal ‘side chic’ to Terrence whenever she’s needed, a declaration she makes in an outstanding performance of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘substitute’.
Meanwhile, their ‘husband’ (Terrence), is head over heels for the mistress, a feeling he stresses with an electrifying performance of ‘Don’t Know Much’ by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronsdat, followed by Billy Griffin ft The Miracles ‘Love Machine’, leaving the audience in a palpable state of excitement.
With both women deeply immersed in a serene and unwavering state of love, Terrence soon finds himself ensnared in a complex love triangle. He is faced with an agonizing dilemma of choosing between his devoted wife and his passionate mistress, each vying for his affection in their own unique way.
At its core, ‘Tonight is the Night’, held on 29th March 2025 at BK Arena, aimed to ‘tell a compelling story of a husband caught in the aftermath of his choices, exploring love, betrayal, and self-reflection.
This musical theatre, a first-of-its-kind in Rwanda, commenced at 7:30 PM, although guests arrived at least an hour early. From their impeccable attire to their palpable enthusiasm, it was clear they were excited for the night ahead. They were welcomed by a waiter and waitress stationed at the entrance of BK lounge–offering them a choice of fresh mango juice or wine before the ushers, adorned in Umushanana (traditional Rwandan wear) could direct them to the arena–now turned theatre for the occasion.
The play, performed in two parts, whilst it didn’t seek to judge, but rather ‘connect the audience with the emotional depth of its characters’, vividly stressed the downside of infidelity–highlighting the turmoil and heartache caused by betrayal.
To Terrence, Tas was a “stranger by day, a lover by night. He knew it was wrong, but it felt right. When he’s with friends and they met Tas, she had to pass by with no word, because the world’s discreet with a part-time lover.”
Tas, despite originally agreeing to the arrangement, “secret lovers, yeah that’s what we are. We shouldn’t be together, but we can’t let go, because we love each other,” later realized she had to call it ‘quits’, creating trouble in Terrence’s ‘paradise’.
The second half unfolds with Sabrina and Terrace performing James Ingram and Patti Austin’s “How Do We Keep the Music Playing.” As a wife, Sabrina experienced a whirlwind of emotions, however, remained dedicated to loving her husband. On the other hand, Terrace, despite finding his affair with Tas exhilarating, admits that infidelity is not part of their true selves, but true love is and makes amends with his wife. Meanwhile, Tas is resolute in her quest to find her own love.
Throughout its compelling narrative and emotional performances, the show emphasized that true happiness and fulfillment come from a dedicated and faithful partnership–climaxing with a ‘happily ever after’ of Sabrina and Terrace.
Ultimately, Tonight is the Night’s remarkable production, a dynamic blend of classic love songs and contemporary music, appealing to a wide audience underscored Kigali’s readiness to embrace diverse artistic expressions.
Beyond its entertainment value, “the production is a catalyst for change, introducing musical theatre to new audiences and fostering young talent,” remarked Sharif Baker, the visionary behind the musical.
