Helge Arnoldt

After 12 years, Sister Act has returned to Hamburg. This summer the First Stage Theatre Musicals Hamburg 2022/2023 | First Stage Musical Theater Hamburg | Musicals Hamburg - First Stage Hamburg is presenting this feel good hit, a jukebox songbook of soul, funk and disco tunes. The story is based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy which was transferred to a stage musical by composer Alan Menken back in 2009. It is about Doloris van Cartier, a night club singer with ambitious goals, who witnesses the murder of a young man being killed by her boyfriend, a sleeky mug. Facing herself on the run, she hides in a cloister until she can testify at court.

Mark Seibert was playing an open air concert last Sunday at the Theatre in the Park in Vienna. He is one of the most – if not the most - acclaimed musical singer with ongoing sold-out concerts in Germany and Austria. In this concert, Mark was reflecting on his career. He chose songs which could be headlined with “Songs of unanswered love” or “Songs of fallen heroes” which he used to play a lot in the past. Mark always shows great confidence in singing these emotional or powerful songs.

After a long run production in Niedernhausen in 1995, Sunset Boulevard has returned frequently in many local theatre productions throughout Germany. The stage adaption of Billy Wilder’s film tells the story of Norma Desmond, a glamorous diva and celebrated star during the silent movie era who lives seclusively and forgotten in a luxury villa on Sunset Boulevard. When she meets Joe Gillis by coincidence, an ambitious but unsuccessful screenwriter, she hires him on the spot to review her own script. Very soon, Joe Gillis finds himself trapped in a spiral of feeding his own ambition by founding false hopes.

After his studio concert Mark Seibert decided to do a live streaming concert at the Ebertbad (Oberhausen) on Valentine’s Day, which was produced by SOUND OF MUSIC and for which he invited Marle Martens and Thomas Holer. Both guests have been working with Mark Seibert in many shows. This is why they were putting the highlights of ELISABETH, DANCE OF THE VAPMIRES and MOZART together in medleys. Although none of these shows  have made it across the pond so far (DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES failed in 2003 due to different reasons), all songs enjoy great popularity in Germany and Austria.

Carolin Fortenbacher cannot be stereotyped. Once you think that you fully understand her and you can pigeonhole her, she’ll surprise you the next time. This is why she has been doing different shows since 1985 such as “West Side Story”, “Man of La Mancha”, “Pirates of Penzance”, “Next to Normal” or “Mamma Mia”, just to name a view.

Mark Seibert is currently one of the most asked musical actors with a fan base mainly in Germany and Austria. He was recently doing leading roles such as Edward Lewis in a?oePretty Womana??, Count von Krolock in a?oeTanz der Vampirea??, the Death in a?oeElisabetha??, or he developed the role of a?oeSchikanedera?? together with Stephen Schwartz in the musical of the same title in Vienna. His solo concerts or those with colleagues and friends are usually sold out within minutes.

Mark Seibert is currently one of the most asked musical actors with a fan base mainly in Germany and Austria. He was recently doing leading roles such as Edward Lewis in a?oePretty Womana??, Count von Krolock in a?oeTanz der Vampirea??, the Death in a?oeElisabetha??, or he developed the role of a?oeSchikanedera?? together with Stephen Schwartz in the musical of the same title in Vienna. His solo concerts or those with colleagues and friends are usually sold out within minutes.

Mark Seibert is currently one of the most asked musical actors with a fan base mainly in Germany and Austria. He was recently doing leading roles such as Edward Lewis in a?oePretty Womana??, Count von Krolock in a?oeTanz der Vampirea??, the Death in a?oeElisabetha??, or he developed the role of a?oeSchikanedera?? together with Stephen Schwartz in the musical of the same title in Vienna. His solo concerts or those with colleagues and friends are usually sold out within minutes.

A film adaptation on stage is always be trapped between different expectations: It can be too close to the movie or new settings or/and new songs may leave the audience unsatisfied. This show manages this fine line. Although I haven't seen the film for years, I am surprised how many details and phrases I recognised and which are used to bring the movie alive onstage.

Carrie a?" The Musical was the final production of this year's graduating class of the Stage School in Hamburg. Felix Löwy and Lauren Slater-Klein directed the show. It was produced by Thomes Gehle and performed 40 times this July and August at the First Stage Theatre. The musical's book is by Lawrence D. Cohen, with lyrics by Dean Pitchford and music by Michael Gore. The story is based on Stephen King's novel Carrie, published in 1974. It is about a teenage girl who is raised by her religious fanatic mother. Bullied at school and oppressed by her classmates, she unleashes telekinetic powers which lead to a fatal climax at the school's prom night.

The musical Mary Poppins is currently playing at the Elbe Stage-Theatre in Hamburg. The show is based on the 1934 published novel about the famous nanny, created by Pamela L. Travers. Mary Poppins gained worldwide recognition through the 1964 movie with Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke. In 1993, Cameron Mackintosh could convince Pamela L. Travers to take her novel to the stage.

Whenever one of my US friends asks me about a successful German musical, it is for sure "Dance of the Vampires" that comes immediately to my mind. It was Jim Steinman (music) and Michael Kunze (lyrics) created the musical adaption of Roman Polanski's film from 1967. The show premiered in 1997, and has been running - with some short breaks - in Germany and Austria ever since.

Tina The Musical has arrived in Germany. The acclaimed show about Tina Turner's life which premiered in April 2018 at the Aldwych Theatre in London now opens at the Operettenhaus in Hamburg.