Jesus Christ Superstar: Ultimate Edition
this easter It Is Time. using my years of fixation and research i present to you The Best Version of every song from jesus christ superstar, plus commentary. obviously subjective opinion so do feel free to discourse in the tags bc as you may have picked up i enjoy talking about the relative merits of jcs productions. also i might not even stand by this in a week bc i find it hard to keep multiple versions in my head at the same time for comparison and there are so so many versions.
please note that acting, vocal quality, music direction, and where available staging have all been taken into account. act 2 in rb bc of link restrictions.
heaven on their minds - 2012 broadway revival
obviously in terms of pure vocals carl anderson is unbeatable forever, but the staging of the 2012 broadway revival pips it for me. josh young's voice is still gorgeous and the judas/jesus/mary throuple is everything. i love versions where hotm is sung directly To jesus, and i love that in this version jesus actually listen and takes judas' concerns on board. the love and respect between all three of them is palpable and even though it is a serious disagreement, part of that disagreement comes from the fact that they care about each other so much. that's tragedy baby!
special mention to henrike tönnes on the 2022 rob carroll version, i specifically like the Ending of the song for that one. also the sarcastic clap along w the disciples that judas does in the 2013 hungary version.
what's the buzz/ strange thing mystifying - 2018 tv event
annoyingly this isn't on youtube but tbh the staging is nothing mindblowing. i think what's the buzz is a great song for showcasing the usp of each version and in this one i think being able to hear the real crowd actually cheering for jesus (john legend) really adds to the narrative. i also absolutely love brandon victor dixon and as i have said before he would be one of my favourite judases if judas were straight. sara bareilles does a great 'offended' face when he bitches about her lmao.
honourable mention to the 2012 uk arena tour for again showing off the conceit of 'modern day activists' really well in this song, not forgetting of course WOTS THE BUZZ #buzz tweet
then we are decided - 2013 hungary
(starts at about 9:49) obviously not a huge amount of competition for this one, i wish more versions included it bc it's a great song :( anyway i loveee the staging choice to have everyone else freeze-framed on stage with the priests walking among them, and i freaking love this caiaphas. literally inserting it into what's the buzz also works nicely
i do miss kurt yaghjian from the 1973 film tho, forever obsessed with his voice and facial expressions. extra shout out to the striving artists version for simply existing.
everything's alright - 2006 austria
something about the musical direction in 90% of versions of this song goes right through me, like there is always some weird instrument that makes me Cringe. but this version is Nice :) really enjoy how Pissed this judas is. and i love the way the long notes last into the next section of the song. i will say i prefer the alt melody for 'people who are hungry' but you can't have everything
this is a really nice one on the all-female cast recording as well, obviously it's already the most female-heavy song of the show but shoshana bean's judas is particularly good here i think. also of course carl anderson with tears in his eyes grasping ted neely's hands while the music swells is ingrained on my brain for all time.
this jesus must die - 1994 studio cast
this album as a whole is probably my Least Favourite JCS Ever, but i will admit that this song fucks. the haunting eeriness at the beginning. the way it kicks into a funky little syncopated rhythm. the disembodied hosannas. unexpected delight.
2012 uk arena tour is unfortunately disqualified for having possibly the Most antisemitic portrayal of the priests, which is a shame because it's probably my favourite casting. one of my favourite annas portrayals, but in general all of them are distinct and fully embodied which does make that version very fun to watch. i also really enjoy the 2019 castaway productions version for this song, the way they play instruments while they sing like a lil band, and caiaphas' eye make-up is sick. 1973 film is obviously also iconic with the little scaffolding tippy taps, and the way kurt yaghjian sings 'a trick-or-two with lepers'. i love this song sorry.
hosanna - 2017 striving artists
i kind of don't have justification for this one LOL i just like it. i know there are versions that are sung better and really the staging is quite important for this song but idk i just find this version really calming. i don't know if it's the music direction? i don't know enough about music tbh
admittedly this is another one that works really well for the 2018 tv event, but doesn't quite win for me as the crowd don't cheer in all the right places and john legend doesn't react at all to the 'would you DIE for me?' line which is crucial. for good reaction to that line the 2000 film where it elevates the bitchy gay tension in the love triangle really nails it.
simon zealotes - 2011 austria
EASYYY WIN FOR ME this is actually the song that made me want to pick a best version for each one because this version IS so much better than any other one for me. the guitar!!!!!! rob's energy!! the music design for this one really fucks so severely and then there's just rob jumping around hyping up the crowd (there is a film version from 2008 on youtube, but i wanted to capture the music for this one). iconic.
big love also to hungary 2013 for having a simon who's in a wheelchair, particularly notable when it's really the highest energy role in the show. i do enjoy.
poor jerusalem - 2022 rob carroll
i cannot find any information about this album other than what's on spotify but i do enjoy the slight alt melodies in this version and i like his voice.
not a lot to go into for this song really. i like the ben forster version a lot as well, and the 1996 london cast version. 'close your eyes' is a better lyric than 'live a lie'. moving on.
pilate's dream - 2022 all-female cast
may be biased bc I LOVE ORFEH but i just think this version is so gorgeous. i love the little vocal drifts without going too overboard and distracting from the song. the music composition is especially pleasing as well.
there's a lot of honourable mentions i could give here bc i think pilate has so much potential for power and gravitas, but 1973 film, 2012 uk arena tour, 2013 hungary, and east end theatrical ensemble. are also big favs. in terms of staging i love the fact that 2019 castaway productions has jesus himself on stage playing the backing piano like he actually is haunting pilate.
the temple - 1992 australia
australia 1992 habitually has some of the most interesting and creative music direction and this is one of the songs where it particularly pays off. love the whistles. i also like that the second 'get out' is spoken, not screamed. the second half is appropriately creepy with the sustained 'chriiiist'. pretty boring staging but at least the costumes are fun.
i don't know how to love him - east end theatrical ensemble
possibly controversial choice but ugh i love this version i even love how low the sound quality is. like listening to a vinyl. i think her voice is so gorgeous and i love her accent. deeply soothing to listen to. i feel like im in the 70s rn.
i'm also a huge fan of the 1996 london cast recording, joanna ampil has such a sweet voice and the way she emotes so that you can really Hear it works well for this song. special shout out to 2012 uk arena tour which i don't think is a particularly amazing version but we get the absolute gunshow from mel c at the end so we love it.
damned for all time/blood money - 1973 film
CARL!! I feel like 1973 film and 1996 london album are at a disadvantage in this bc they're what i grew up with so i kind of take them for granted but this is undeniably iconic. no one can commit to the tortured soul but belief he's doing the right thing like him. the way he can scream but it still sounds Good. i prefer versions that have annas suggest 'a fee' rather than caiaphas just repeating himself so that's here too. the weird keening way he sings 'on thursday night'. annas dropping the coins just as he reaches for them. UGH so good. a lot less brassy than other versions as well.
this is another song that kinda fucks in every version, but the original 1970 album and the 2018 tv event are particularly good i think. also that one bit in 2012 uk arena tour where annas is like '...... get up off the floor.'
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Do you know of any Euro musical productions besides Rebecca going on in Jan-March 2023?
I'm trying to plan a vacation lol, anywhere in Europe would go
TIA!
Alright this isn't going to be a full list because I'm sure I can't find them all but I've done my best. I've decided to make this a list of all musicals in Europe for all of 2023, so that everyone might find this useful (that's code for I love making lists and got carried away).
Musicals in Europe in 2023
2022.12.10 Listed alphabetically by country and then by opening date. Countries listed below are Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Switzerland. Click 'keep reading' to see the list.
Edit 2022.12.11: added some more musical in Austria, The Netherlands and Russia. Sources to websites where I found this information and where you can book tickets are now at the bottom of the list. Sorry they weren’t added originally, I made the original list at 1am.
Edit 2022.12.11: added performances at the open-air theatre in Tecklenburg, Germany.
Edit: 2022.12.12 added more shows for Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France.
Edit: 2022.12.15 i can’t keep up with all the asks telling me to add things to the list. please see this tag (european musicals in 2023) to see asks telling me about more shows, but i don’t have the time to keep sourcing and adding them to this list anymore.
Austria
Rebecca das Musical - Vienna, Raimund Theater
September 9th 2022 - TBD
Cast: Nienke Latten (Ich), Mark Seibet (Maxim de Winter), Willemijn Verkaik (Mrs Danvers), Boris Pfeifer (Jack Favell), Ana Milva Gomes (Mrs Van Hopper), James Park (Frank Crawly), Annemieke van Dam (Beatrice/Alt Mrs Danvrs), Aris Sas (Ben)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney) - Vienna, Ronacher
November 10th 2022 - TBD
Cast: Abla Alaoui (Esmerelda), David Jakobs (Quasimodo), Dominik Hees (Phoebus), Andreas Lichtenberger (Frollo), Mathias Schlung (Clopin)
My Fair Lady - Vienna, Volksoper
December 14th 2022 - January 10th 2023
Cast: Juliette Khalil (Eliza Doolittle), Axel Herrig (Henry Higgins)
Catch Me if You Can - Linz, Landestheater Linz
December 14th 2022 - June 3rd 2023
Anastasia - Linz, Landestheater Linz
December 15th 2022 -
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Vienna, Das Vindobona
January 9th 2023 - January 29th 2023
Cast: Drew Sarich (Hedwig), Anna Mandrella (Yitzhak)
Lady in the Dark - Vienna, Volksoper
January 26th 2023 - February 22nd 2023
Cast: TBD
Funny Girl - Baden, Stadttheater/Bühne Baden
January 28th 2023 - March 25th 2023
Cast: Johanna Arrouas (Fanny Brice), Thomas Weissengruber (Nick Arnstein)
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 - Linz, Landestheater Linz
February 11th 2023 - June 17th 2023
Anatevka - Vienna, Volksoper
February 23rd 2022 - March 31st 2023
Cast: TBD
Jesus Christ Superstar - Vienna, Raimund Theater
March 31st 2023 - April 10th 2023 (Concert version)
Cast: Drew Sarich (Jesus)
The Sound of Music - Vienna, Volksoper
April 1st 2023 - May 1st 2023
Cast: TBD
Fun Home - Linz, Landestheater Linz
April 13th 2023 - May 22nd 2023
Cabaret - Vienna, Volksoper
May 5th 2023 - May 14th 2023
Cast: TBD
The Wizard of Oz (Arlen/Webber) - Vienna, Volksoper
May 17th 2023 - June 25th 2023
Cast: TBD
Elisabeth das Musical - Vienna, Schloss Schönbrunn
June 29th 2023 - July 1st 2023 (Open air concert)
Maya Hakvoort (Elisabeth), Mark Seibert (Der Tod)
Cabaret - Baden, Stadttheater/Bühne Baden
July 7th 2023 - August 25th 2023
Cast: Anna Mandrella (Sally Boweles), Drew Sarich (Emcee), René Rumpold (Herr Schultz), Maya Hakvoort (Fraulein Schneider), Alexander Donesh (Cliff), Iva Schell (Fraulein Kost), Jan Walter (Ernst Ludwig)
Dirty Dancing - Linz, Landestheater Linz
July 11th 2023 - August 6th 2023
England (West End & UK Tours)
Les Misérables - London, Sondheim Theatre
October 8th 1985 - TBD
The Phantom of the Opera - London, Her Majesty's Theatre
October 9th 1986 - TBD
Mamma Mia! - London, Novello Theatre
April 6th 1999 - September 30th 2023
The Lion King - London, Lyceum Theatre
October 19th 1999 - TBD
Wicked - London, Apollo Victoria Theatre
September 27th 2006 - TBD
Matilda - London, Cambridge Theatre
October 25th 2011 - December 17th 2023
The Book of Mormon - London, Prince of Wales Theatre
February 25th 2013 - March 18th 2023
Hamilton - London, Victoria Palace Theatre
December 21st 2017 - September 30th 2023
Tina (The Tuna Turner Musical) - London, Aldwych
April 17th 2018 - July 11th 2023
Six - London, Vaudeville Theatre
January 17th 2019 - TBD
Only Fools and Horses: The Musical - London, Theatre Royal Haymarket
February 9th 2019 - April 1st 2023
Mary Poppins - London, Prince Edward Theatre
November 13th 2019 - January 8th 2023
& Juliet - London, Shaftesbury Theatre
November 20th 2019 - March 25th 2023
Come From Away - London, Phoenix Theatre
January 19th 2019 - January 7th 2023
Jersey Boys - London, Trafalgar Theatre
July 18th 2021 - April 30th 2023
Pretty Woman - London, Savoy Theatre
July 19th 2021 - April 2nd 2023
Frozen - London, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
August 27th 2021 - March 26th 2023
Back to the Future - London, Adelphi Theatre
September 13th 2021 - February 12th 2023
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical - London, Lyric Theatre
October 1st 2021 - January 8th 2023
Moulin Rouge! - London, Piccadilly Theatre
November 12th 2021 - April 15th 2023
Cabaret - London, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
November 15th 2021 - December 16th 2023
Heathers - London, The Other Palace Theatre
November 25th 2021 - February 18th 2023
Bonnie and Clyde - London, Garrick Theatre
March 4th 2022 - May 20th 2023
The Witches of Oz - London, The Vaults Theatre
September 19th 2022 - January 14th 2023
Hex - London, Olivier Theatre
November 26th 2022 - January 14th 2023
Newsies - London, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
November 29th 2022 - April 16th 2023
Mandela - London, Young Vic
November 29th 2022 - February 4th 2023
Bugsy Malone - London, Alexandra Palace
December 3rd 2022 - January 15th 2023
The Rocky Horror Show - UK Tour
January 3rd 2023 - September 2nd 2023
Fisherman's Friends - UK Tour
January 31st 2023 - May 30th 2023
Jersey Boys - UK Tour
January 10th 2023 - May 6th 2023
Sister Act - UK Tour
January 11th 2023 - January 27th 2024
Blood Brothers - UK Tour
January 17th 2023 - April 29th 2023
Dirty Dancing - Dominion Theatre
January 18th 2023 - April 29th 2023
Sylvia - London, Old Vic
January 27th 2023 - April 1st 2023
Oklahoma! - London, Wyndham's Theatre
February 16th 2023 - September 2nd 2023
Bat out of Hell - London, Peacock Theatre
February 17th 2023 - April 1st 2023
The Great British Bake Off Musical - London, Noel Coward Theatre
February 25th 2023 - May 13th 2023
Guys and Dolls - London, Bridge Theatre
February 27th 2023 - September 2nd 2023
Titanic the Musical - UK Tour
March 16th 2023 - August 5th 2023
Ain't Too Proud - London, Prince Edward's Theatre
March 31st 2023 - October 1st 2023
The Rocky Horror Show - London, Peacock Theatre
May 3rd 2023 - June 10th 2023
Mrs Doubtfire - London, Shaftsbury Theatre
May 12th 2023 - January 13th 2024
42nd Street - London, Sadler's Wells
June 7th 2023 - July 2nd 2023
Crazy for You - London, Gillian Lynne Theatre
June 24th 2023 - January 20th 2024
The Spongebob Musical - London, Queen Elizabeth Hall
July 26th 2023 - August 27th 2023
The Drifter's Girl - UK Tour
September 12th 2023 - January 13th 2024
France
The Producers / Les Producteurs - Paris, Theatre de Paris
December 9th 2022 - April 2nd 2023
The Lion King / Le Roi Lion (Disney) - Paris, Théâtre Mogador
December 13th 2022 - June 6th 2023
Cabaret - Paris, Lido2Paris
- February 3rd 2023
Josephine Baker the Musical - Paris, Bobino Theatre
- February 22nd 2023
Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, NODUS
November 15th 2023 - December 3rd 2023
Germany
Tanz der Vampire - Stuttgart, Stage Palladium Theater
October 5th 2021 - September 10th 2023
Cast: Filippo Strocchi (Graf von Krolock), Kristin Backes (Sarah), Vincent van Gorp (Afred), Jakub Wocial (Professor Abronsius), Oleg Krasovitskii (Chagal), Anja Bakus (Magda), Wolfgang Zarnack (Koukol), Andreas Nutzl (Herbert), Hanny Aden (Rebeca)
Aladdin (Disney) - Stuttgart, Stage Apollo Theater
October 2021 - January 19th 2023
Cast: Gonzalo Campos López (Aladdin), Rita Sebah (Jasmin), Maximillian Man (Genie), Claus Dam (Sultan), Paolo Bianca (Jafar), Terry Alfaro (Iago)
Ku-Damm 56 das Musical - Berlin, Stage Theater des Westens
October 2021 - February 19th 2023
Sandra Leitner (Monika), Pedro Reichert (Freddy), Katja Uhlig (Caterina Schollack), Patrik Cieslik (Joachim)
Mamma Mia - Hamburg, Stage Theater Neue Flora
October 2021 - August 27th 2023
Cast: Sabine Mayer (Donna), Anna Thorén (alt Donna), Rose-Anne van Elswijk (Sophie), Jennifer van Brenk (Tanja), Franziska Lessing (Rosie), Sasche Oliver Bauer (Sam), Tetje Mierendorf (Bill), Detlef Leistenschneider (Harry)
Hamilton - Hamburg, Stage Operettenhaus
October 2021 - September 30th 2023
Benet Monteiro (Alexander Hamilton), Diluckshan Jeyaratnam (alt Hamilton/Aaron Burr), Ivy Quainoo (Eliza Hamilton), Gino Emnes (Aaron Burr), Chasity Crisp (Angelixa Schuyler), Charles Simmons (George Washington), Daniel Dodd-Ellis (Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Redchild (Hercules Mulligan/James Maddison), Oliver Edward (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Mae Ann Jorolan (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), Jan Kersjes (King George)
Frozen/Die Eiskonigin (Disney) - Hamburg, Stage Theater an der Elbe
October 2021 - December 23rd 2023
Cast: Sabrina Weckerlin (Elsa), Celena Pieper (Anna), Janneke Ivankova (alt Elsa), Willemijn Maandag (alt Anna), Owen Playfair (Kristoff), Bob van de Weijdeven (Hans), Elindo Avastia (Olaf)
The Lion King/Der Konig der Lowen (Disney) - Hamburg, Stage Theater im Hafen
October 2021 - December 17th 2023
Cast: Hope Maine (Simba), Andrea del Solar (Nala), OJ Lunch (Mufasa), Bongiwe Happiness Malunga (Rafiki), Bernd Lambrecht (Scar), Joachim Benoit (Zazu), Tobias Korinth (Timon), S'Thembiso Keith Machiane (Pumbaa)
Moulin Rouge! - Cologne, Musical Dome
Autumn 2022 - June 30th 2023
Tina (The Tina Turner Musical) - Stuttgart, Stage Apollo Theater
March 7th 2023 - December 23rd 2023
Cast: Aisata Blackman (Tina Turner)
Romeo und Julia: Liebe ist Alles (Plate/Sommer) - Berlin, Stage Theater des Westens
March 21st 2023 - June 30th 2023
Madagascar: A Musical Adventure - Tecklenburg, Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg
May 14th 2023 - August 30th 2023
Musical Meets Pop / Pfingstgala -Tecklenburg, Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg
May 29th 2023
Mozart! das Musical - Tecklenburg, Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg
June 16th 2023 - August 27th 2023
Robin Hood das Musical - Fulda, Schlosstheater
June 18th 2023 - August 27th 2023
Miami Nights - Tecklenburg, Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg
July 21st 2023 - September 10th 2023
Tarzan (Disney) - Stuttgart, Stage Palladium Theater
November 18th 2023 - June 30th 2024
Cast: TBD
Ireland
Six - UK and Ireland Tour, Belfast
April 11th 2023 - April 15th 2023
Italy
Sister Act - Milan, Teatro Nazionale CheBanca
December 2022 - January 8th 2023
The Netherlands
Aladdin - The Hague, Circustheater Scheveningen
October 2021 - February 26th 2023
Cast: Jonathan Vroege (Aladdin), Stanley Burleson (Genie), Keoma Aidhen (Jasmine), Roberto de Groot (Jafar), Michel Sorbach (Sultan), Darren van der Lek (Iago)
Tina (The Tina Turner Musical) - Utrecht, Beatrix Theater
October 2021 - February 18th 2023
Cast: Nyassa Alberta (Tina), Nurlaila Karim (alt Tina)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Netherlands Tour
December 7th 2022 - March 5th 2023
The Prom - Royal Theater Carré
January 20th 2023 - January 22nd 2023
Cast: Pia Douwes, Juliette van Tongeren
Les Misérables - Royal Theater Carré
March 1st 2023 - March 19th 2023
Milan van Waardenburg (Jean Valjean), René van Kooten (alt Jeab Valjean), Freek Vartels (Javert), Yannick Plugers (Thénardier), Michael Muyderman (Marius), Channah Hewitt (Fantine), Vajén van den Bosch (Éponine), Ellen Pieters (Madame Thénardier), Mark Roy Luykx (Enjolras), Sem Gerritsma (Cosette)
Aida (Disney) - The Hague, Circustheater Scheveningen
April 12th 2023 - June 30th 2023
Les Misérables - Royal Theater Carré
July 5th 2023 - July 23rd 2023
Milan van Waardenburg (Jean Valjean), René van Kooten (alt Jeab Valjean), Freek Vartels (Javert), Yannick Plugers (Thénardier), Michael Muyderman (Marius), Channah Hewitt (Fantine), Vajén van den Bosch (Éponine), Ellen Pieters (Madame Thénardier), Mark Roy Luykx (Enjolras), Sem Gerritsma (Cosette)
Six - Amsterdam, Delamar Theatre
September 20th 2023 - October 1st 2023
Six - Rotterdam, Nieuwe Luxor Theater
October 4th 2023 - October 8th 2023
Russia
Fear Nothing, I Am With You НИЧЕГО НЕ БОЙСЯ, Я С ТОБОЙ - Moscow, MDM Theatre
2022 - February 26th 2023
First Date - Moscow, MDM Theatre
December 17th 2022 - January 28th 2023
Valentine’s Day - Moscow, MDM Theatre
December 22nd 2022 - January 21st 2023
Demon Onegin мюзикл Демон Онегина - St Petersburg
December 23rd 2022 - July 23rd 2023
Master and Margarita МАСТЕР И МАРГАРИТА - St Petersburg
December 29th 2022 - July 16th 2023
Alice in Wonderland (Gleb Matveychuk) - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 2nd 2023 - January 4th 2023
Miracle-Yudo ЧУДО-ЮДО- St Petersburg
January 4th 2023 - January 6th 2023
Hits From The Broadway And The Whole World - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 5th 2023, January 19th 2023
The Count of Monte Cristo (Frank Wildhorn) - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 6th 2023 - January 8th 2023
Notre Dame de Paris + Romeo et Juliette - St Petersburg
January 13th 2023
Can-Can - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 14th 2023 - January 15th 2023
Bely.Petersburg - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 17th 2023
Thieves’ Carnival - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 18th 2023
Peter I ПЁТР I (Frank Wildhorn) - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 20th 2023 - TBD
The Mousetrap - St Petersburg, Большой зал театра музыкальной комедии
January 21st 2023
Queen of Spades Дама Пик - St Petersburg
January 25th 2023 - January 26th 2023
Diamond Chariot Алмазная колесница - St Petersburg
January 20th 2023 - April 9th 2023
Lolita Лолита - St Petersburg
February 3rd 2023 - July 28th 2023
Seven Short Stories Семь новелл - St Petersburg
February 11th 2023 - May 9th 2023
Rasputin РАСПУТИН - St Petersburg
February 9th 2023 - May 6th 2023
Scotland
Six - UK and Ireland Tour, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow
May 2nd 2023 - May 13th 2023, August 29th 2023 - September 3rd 2023
Spain
Company - Madrid, UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz
November 17th 2022 - February 14th 2023
The Lion King / El Rey León - Madrid, Teatro Lope de Vega
December 2022 - March 31st 2023
Tina (The Tina Turner Musical) - Madrid, Teatro Coliseum
December 2022 - January 8th 2023
Switzerland
Sister Act - Zurich, MAAG halle
December 2022 - Feburary 23rd 2023
Lady Bess - St Gallen, Theatre St Gallen
January 12th 2022 - April 26th 2023
Wustenblume - St Gallen, Theatre St Gallen
May 23rd 2023 - June 10th 2023
Wales
Six - UK and Ireland Tour, Aberdeen
August 8th 2023 - August 12th 2023
Sources (links not clickable otherwise Tumblr may block/hide the post):
musicalvienna.at
muzcomedy.ru
spotlight-musicals.de
stage-entertainment.com/productions
theatersg.ch
theatreinparis.com
mm-musical.ru
volksoper.at
companyelmusical.es
charliedemusical.nl
londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on
landestheater-linz.at/musiktheater
buehnebaden.at
drew-sarich.com
carre.nl/en
freilichtspiele-tecklenburg.de
sisteract-musical.ch
sixthemusical.com
moulin-rouge-musical.de
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So having watched the vbw Falco musical recently. Rock Me Amadeus. I have Thoughts™
[ID: the mostly empty Ronacher theatre's auditorium seen from the 2nd floor on the right side. the stage is hidden behind a sort-of wall barrier curtain thing made of squares, some of which are reflective. the "Rock Me Amadeus" logo and an image of Moritz Mausser in character as Falco are projected onto it. Surrounding the stage there are a number of variously-shaped angular mirrors lined with glowing light. (additionally there's my partner's hand forming the peace sign on the right side of the image)]
side note I am irrationally annoyed that the squares of the logo don't line up with the squares of the curtain thing WHAT are they doing
Spoilers and further opinions under the cut
- The cast is stellar. Moritz Mausser is absolutely 100% brilliant, Katharina Gorgi's voice is beautiful, and Alex Melcher is there so that's in some ways already enough for me personally really. though he only really shows up in the 2nd act which is a bit sad. to me
but his presence is good bc. well. a lot of the things I generally value in a musical are kinda meh in this one tbh
- the music is fine! it's mainly Falco songs obviously, which I've been mostly neutral about so far but there definitely are some bangers, and, well, Moritz and Alex singing them sure is a point in favour. the additional songs written specifically for the musical are... I don't think they're bad, mostly, but they have a completely different vibe that doesn't really fit in with the rest. and. actually, some of them are bad. in my opinion. extremely cheesy. what's that doing there. one of them is hella catchy but the chorus lyrics sound like it's for kindergarden, two are just incredibly generic and boring and did I mention cheesy?
- Starting out with calling the day of Falco's death "the day the music died" sure is a claim. nothing to do with whoever is in charge at the vbw being weirdly patriotic (stares at the general Austria(ns) theme of quite a number of vbw musicals)
- Similarly his first sentence "In Wien musst erst sterben, bevor sie dich hochleben lassen" ("In Vienna you gotta die before they celebrate you") which sounds nice and dramatic and all but. come on. dude was #1 in international charts very much during his lifetime. they talk about this in the musical itself. he complains on stage about how the fame and stuff bothers him. where's the dying first part huh Hansi.
- Alex. listen I am stupidly into that guy's whole vibe. his everything. his voice is my favourite kind of male voice and his hair in combination with his entire profile and the lineof his stupid neck make me feel some kind of way. I wanna grab that hair and pull his head back like that one Sandman scene you know the one.
This one. also his tattoos and his absolutely deranged energy and willingness to just go off and do insane things rolling around on the floor. and then suddenly look like an innocent child in awe at seeing snow for the first time of his life. this tangent of Alex Melcher stanning has gone on long enough we'll return to our regularly scheduled musical discussion now
- They're simultaneously trying to make Falco a sympathetic figure while also showing him behaving like a dick. it seems to work bc the audience laughs and gets Emotional but. idk maybe it's me but the "I behave like an egoistic dick to everyone around me including my wife but it's ok bc I'm Misunderstood and actually very Deep and Emotional and I love my wife and need her to keep me sane and also I'm marionetted against my will by my Dark Impulses" shtick is sort of... you can't have him throw his wife to the ground and give zero fucks about her and then half an hour later at his funeral or wake or idk play a quote of him saying "I never hurt anyone other than myself" and have someone else call him empathic and sensitive and expect me to take that seriously and... look maybe I'd like it better if the jokes weren't so incredibly lame
- Female roles?? what's that. there's two (2) that get a name on the cast list (his wife and his mum). one (1) of them gets addressed by name on stage (Isabella, the Wife. his mum is Maria but only if you look at the cast list or the programme). Isabella's role is Sexy Lady turned Caring Wife and Mother who finally Leaves. the mum's role is Nagging Mum (in law) and Comic Relief. there's a second girlfriend (wife? secretary? idek) who apoears in one scene and gets called a name (Caroline) which I only caught bc I was looking at the surtitles. no one gets a personality not even the male characters really no one matters (I mean yes ok it's Falco's Story but ffs let Katharina DO something with her voice maybe)
- have I mentioned the awful dialogue and cheap jokes yet? "the best aspect of the American flag are the red-white-red stripes". terrible flirting with "ladies in uniform" who are trying to do their job when faced with an entitled asshole but of course it's portrayed as hilarious.
- ok so back to Alex Melcher but his role is the most fun part of the thing. he's Falco's "Alter Ego" aka his, idk, hedonistic impulses and desire for fame and admiration and whatnot personified? there's a huge head on stage with a brain and all in it to make sure the audience understands that he is Inside Falco's Head and in case that's not clear enough yet he also verbatim declares that "I'm inside your head" so yeah subtlety is not required in this play. he and Falco/Hans are being incredibly homoerotic the entire time and I am personally offended that they're not kissing, but I'll take Alter Ego pretending to lick Hans's throat and clinging to him like a limpet. I would love to write fanfiction about them actually but I haven't figured out how to do that well when both parties are the same person/one is a personified fragment of the other's mind and not physically present. pity.
- idk I'd just. I'd have done it differently? again it's just. so unsubtle. why does Alter Ego just hover menacingly above the stage in a glass box once or twice during the first act, why didn't they idk put him in as part of the white-clad ensemble and make him stick out more and more instead of the Hovering and then the 5 minutes "I am you and you are me" song at the start of the 2nd act. Have him talk to people while Hans takes a step back to show it's his Dark Side™ taking over idk. I'm sure there'd also be ways to make Hans more actually sympathetic and less of an arse (fewer dumb jokes might help, or giving other characters more of a personality maybe) but yeah idk
- idk there's just. not much of a story? it's a Falco tribute show with some life moments thrown in. there's a Falco song, there's a crisis bc he's out of ideas, now he's taking drugs, now he's happy, now there's a new album without any clue where he got the ideas (was it the drugs?) now there's sth about his wife now his friend is reprising the basic as fuck Live Your Dream song yet again. then it's over and he dies in a car crash and it's all presented like it's all some incredibly deep and moving story but it's just Not That Deep
- I do like the Writer's Block song they put in, don't we all know that feeling
- I'm not sure it's a good idea to use Jeannie of all songs as a recurring motif the way they're doing? "quit living on dreams, life is not what it seems" "lonely little girl boy in a cold cold world" blah blah all nice and well but Do We Remember What This Song Is About. I mean it's a good song I'm not contesting that I like it! (if someone wants to come at me for "endorsing" anything just bc I like the song... just don't) But yeah no matter how good it is I don't think it's very uhhh fitting. Though in retrospect maybe it's meant to portray him as like... Someone At The Mercy Of Sth Evil And/Or More Powerful Than He Is. Fucking over his own life powerless to stop it or sth idk idk
- Generally I think they rely way too much on the use of background projection screens idk it seems lazy. it's fine in some scenes it can work really well but it gets too much and kinda cheesy
End of the random unorganised RMA thoughts yay! It was fun to watch. I know I mostly complain a lot here but it's definitely fun! It's just that a large part of the fun for me was despairing about how bad I found it and waiting for more homoeroticism and also for Alex Melcher to... do the things he's doing
Edit: ALSO I'm not sure if uhhh low-to-mid-key insulting (iirc) two of the three not-Austrian countries he goes to is. Necessary?
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Curtain Call Footage from April 14, 2022 (Cats Vienna, Ronacher Theatre)
Notes under the cut!
April 14:
Someone did a wolf-whistle at Tugger during the pause in the Misto number and Tugger looked at Misto and was like “oh HO!”
Just watching Alex standing during Pekes & Pollicles with his arms outstretched, eyes glancing sideways, beckoning for Louder Barks while continueing to smile winningly at the audience.
Munkustrap Wiggles during Skimble!!!
Rhys premiere!
Very reactive/active Cori
Tanto and Cori are super cute with each other and interact a lot!
OMG CASSANDRA YOU ARE BLOCKING MY VIEW AGAIN
Barbara totally has the “tipsy Diva everyone feels kind of sorry for” vibe
Munkustrap is REALLY conflicted about Grizabella—watching Munkustrap’s Face Journey is one of my favorite parts of this show
Interesting with Barbara Griz he wasn’t so aggressive during their Show down—in fact he reaches for her with a conflicted, yearning look on his face, then turns and leaps away. It absolutely parallels Demeter, and I didn’t see it with any of the other Grizabellas.
Munkustrap does look at her with pity for a good portion of the show. There is a History Here. (Also Barbara is Smol and Alex is Tol and it is extremely adorable)
Aulerstrap was FERAL tonight folks
The Demestrap PDA was pretty intense and hilarious tonight.
I mean it’s always there, but Anneke and Alex played it up to the nines
During Moments of Happiness when Munk goes to stretch out elegantly at the front of the stage he smolders at Demeter and slowlllly stretches his leg out. And Demeter gives him a look over her shoulder.
As Tugger is trying to convince everyone to give Misto a chance, they are TOTALLY MAKING OUT in the dark like DAMN you two get a room!
Munk raising up above Demeter and stroking down her leg before they fall down in to the cuddle pile 😳😳
(Bomba is there too on the other side. In fact Tugger, Munk, Demeter, and Bomba kind of curl up together)
Munkustrap doesn’t want Bomba there when Tugger appears—perhaps their combined energy would make the stage combust or something XD
(She comes back later when Munk is relaxing in the back and going with the flow)
Petra is an elegant and sexy Bomba. Anneke is showy and voluptuous. Birgit is reserved and seductive. I loved them all but I think Anneke’s might be my favorite.
Munkustrap bopping his head along to the trio during Gumbi and he and Misto doing their little dance together
When Jenny appears in her outfit and starts tapping Munk does a Toe Tap too and it is SO CUTE!!!
He and Misto do a little dance together before Misto has to go put his tap shoes on
Also Tap Dancing Mistoffelees? BEYOND precious!!!
Munkustrap curls up on the tire with Jenny’s fluffy robe
Lecherous Pirate Munk is back! (Not so great a view this time Growltiger kept blocking my view of the Raffish Crew!)
Sinisi Tugger and Aulerstrap are Gay Pirate Boyfriends. While Snova Tugger was a little jealous of Munk’s crush on Griddle, and Dominick’s Tugger had more of a crush than Munk, clearly both of them here have a thing for Griddle and they are 100% on board with that. Also it takes them ages to get Comfy in the Oven!!
(Also with Tol/Smol Munk vs. Tugger Munk does the heavy lifting)
Matt Levick never stops smiling during the entire show and I don’t know how he does it. But I adore him for it.
Alonzo so Elegant
Munk scratching his ear during Gus!!!
I just love the first part of the Growltiger number and am so SAD that they are getting rid of it 🥺🥺🥺
Please I want my Raffish Crew!
(Also Florian Fetterle is my Favorite Growltiger—he really projects and growls!)
After the show I put on my Big Girl Boots and grabbed people to take pictures of me with the kitties! I got to meet Anna Carina Buchegger and she is tiny (meaning MY height) and sweet and adorable and I put money in her box twice but there wasn’t really anyone to take pictures. BUT I jumped in with Matt Levick as Misto and pushed my phone into someone's hands. He’s surprisingly tall! (Or I should say normal height? I guess perpetually standing next to his Giant Boyfriend skews the perception 😂😂) Also the Mistoffelees costume is gorgeous! (I had to refrain from touching the sparklies but I really really wanted to)
AND George Maniadis (Alonzo) was in the lobby taking adorable pictures with small children and crouching down with them. So I nabbed an usher to take a picture and he did the lean over/head tilt thing and he was so sweet and AAAAAAA!!!
The costumes and the makeup and the wigs are stunning up close—very vibrant and deep contrasting colors.
Fantastic and beautiful night 🥺
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