Martin Ganeider - Page 6

We are saddened to announce the passing of one of Austria's most famous Theatre Agents, Doris Fuhrmann. Many famous Actors from stage and screen have been presented by Fuhrmann. They floated Social Media with the kindest of words. Fuhrmann has been more than just an agent to her clients. Thank you for everything you have done for the arts. You left a hole in Austria's cultural scene. Sincere condolences to those she left behind. Rest in Peace!

It's been a while since the Ronacher Theatre in Vienna invited us to the Jellicle Ball. Six months, two weeks, and one day later, after the whole country went into a never before seen Lockdown. CATS is back, the theatre is back, a glimpse of light in these dark and unpredictable times.

Of course, it's different but let's hope for the best, it will stay with us from now on. Things have changed, getting into the theater and into your seat might be different but hey, you still get the chance to enjoy live theatre and that's rare these days. Chapeau to the Vienna Volksoper and their team. Their Covid-19 prevent concept made it possible to reopen the house again. SWEET CHARITY, the Musical based on Fellini's movie 'Nights of Cabiria', is telling the story of the taxi dancer Charity Hope Valentine. When you are talking about SWEET CHARITY names like Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Shirley MacLaine are coming to your mind. Fosse created a masterpiece, his choreographies are something unique, and of course something you can't replicate. Director Johannes von Matuschka and his Choreographer Damian Czarnecki decided to create something un-Fosse. When you are used to Rich Mans Frug's Magic and all the Fosse Stuff, you might be disappointed. Nevermind the dance numbers are entertaining bur forget the missing Fosse magic. Enjoy the star of the evening. Austria's very own Lisa Habermann, starring as Charity Hope Valentine is something you can't miss this theatre season, undoubtful a first-class Leading Lady. Habermann is the Charity HOPE Valentine of our time! Charmingly, cheeky, and adorable from the very first minute. Peter Lesiak's performance as Oscar Lindquist brought back memories from the days when Mel Brooks THE PRODUCERS was in town and he was performing his heart out as Leo Bloom. Seems like nothing has changed since then. He is as brilliant as ever. The cast is full of first-class artists like Caroline Frank ( Helene), Julia Koci (Nickie), or Drew Sarich ( Daddy Brubeck) who was dressed as a mash-up from Hedwig and Frank'n Furter a transcendent preacher in a surreal staging. The show lost some of its tempo in Act 2, it felt like slowing down after Drew Sarich's psychedelic performance.

Frank Wildhorn, the American composer, and eighty members of the Wildhorn Musical family will simultaneously world premiere a video featuring 53 singers from 12 countries, representing 17 of his musicals, performing the powerful, 'Finding Wonderland,' from the Broadway Musical, Wonderland. Wildhorn, who has been posting popular 'Living Room Concerts,' brought together stars including Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Capathia Jenkins, Constantine Maroulis, amongst the cast from across the globe to support The World Health Organization's Covid19 Response Fund (covid19responsefund.org), the only global organization with a reach as wide as that of the cast on the video, while providing a musical love letter to the world at this unprecedented and unpredictable time.

Dear diary, Corona is still dominating the world but some things are getting back to some sort of normal, slowly but constantly. I have to say it out loud what we all are feeling right now. Dear theatre, we bloody miss you. The excitement on the way to the theatre, the smell when we get into the building, the pure enjoyment of a live performance, and everything about it, we miss it but where is hope is also light. Robert Meyer, Viennas Volksoper Director set up 9 different concerts for the end of June for an audience of only 100. The concerts got sold out immediately.

Dear diary, here is another one for us. The likes of Bettina Bogdany (Jessica), Gloria Wind (Andrea), Gernot Romic (Gavin), and Konstantin Zander (Billy & Brooks), together with Philipp Bindreiter (Drums), Bela Fischer (Piano & Arrangement) and Walter Walterson (Bass) got something for our ears. They recorded something from a very special album, maybe one of the best ones to enjoy after a busy day at work. THAT SMILE from John Bucchinos IT'S ONLY LIFE. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. Stay healthy, we are all in this together and we will come out of it, together! Stay strong and don't forget to smile.

Dear diary, the virus ( from this day on I refuse to say the name of the virus out loud like Harry Potter has done it with Vo.... you know who) is still dancing through our lives and got mostly everything on hold. Our way back to (next to) normal is like a bus ride down a bumpy long road into the unknown. (sorry not sorry for the catchy tune) Since the world is in a Lockdown for quite a while, we got used to wearing masks in public and dressing up properly for Home Office Video Conferences. Here might be another great opportunity to dress up. Robino Rich, well know TV-Host (Backstage reports for DISNEY, STAGE ENTERTAINMENT, and others) and Youtuber, presents a 90 Minute Musical Concert called RICHIE'S MUSICAL SHOW with the likes of Anja Backus, Gino Emnes, Richard Fuchs, Lisa Antoni, Maren Somberg, Marcella Adema, Maricel Wölk, Ornella de Santis, Raphael Groß, and Yvonne Köstler. The concert will take place on June 7th, at 7 p.m. CEST on Youtube. To enter the 'show' you need to buy a ticket ( and of course put on something beautiful for a special night at your living room) click here to find out more.

It's not over yet, our beloved theatres are still dark, most of us are stuck at home office, where there is no dress code, even not for video conferences. (which better should be) Artists all over the world are trying to get the most out of this crisis. (in a pure creative way) We got a bunch of beautiful home concerts, self recorded performances and funny duets and we enjoyed every single one. (Some more than others) Katrin Schweiger (Music) and Thomas Neuwerth (book) made a virtue out of necessity. They created HOME STAGE- THE ONLINE MUSICAL. Due to the restrictions and the fact, we all should stay at home, they made the best out of it writing an online Musical Series about a due to Corona-Virus canceled upcoming Musical. The Producers decided, that the director of the show (played by Reinwald Kranner) should held an online workshop with the possible cast members to keep the production alive. Directed by Gernot Kranner (famous for his creation of Professor Abronsius in the Original production of TANZ DER VAMPIRE), the actors are supposed to shot their parts in their homes, choreographed by Barbara Castka (curr. Demeter/CATS; Vienna) The very first episode will be aired on May 14th 8 p.m. CEST. Special Guests are announced as well for the upcoming episodes. One of them will be Maximilian Mann (curr. Genie in Disney's ALADDIN/Stuttgart) in Episode 2.