[title of show]
- by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell
- Theater Drachengasse
- 25., 27., 30. September, 1. - 4. und 6. - 11. Oktober 2014 um 20 Uhr
Vienna theatre project brings you another Austrian premiere of an award-winning show, this time [title of show], music and lyrics byJeff Bowen and book by Hunter Bell. 2006 Obie Award, 2007 Tony Award. Cited one of the top 50 musicals in US history.
Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. The pressure is on and the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends Susan, Heidi and Mary. Finally Jeff suggests they write about what to write about. They make a pact to write up until the festival’s deadline and dream about the show changing their lives. What ensues is a roaring, uplifting comedy and an hilarious love letter to musical theatre.
Stage director: Joanna Godwin-Seidl
Music director: Birgit Zach
Starring: Nazide Aylin, Alan Burgon, Lynsey Thurgar, Oliver Watton
Die Aufführung erfolgt durch besondere Vereinbarung mit R&H Theatricals Europe GmbH im Namen von RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN: An Imagem Company, www.rnh.com
TRAILER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLQh3WMBCDs&feature=youtu.be
title of show – Theater Drachengasse, Vienna
[title of show] continues at the Theater Drachengasse, Vienna until 11 October.
Following the success of last year’s production of Tick, Tick… Boom!, Vienna Theatre Project returns with another hit musical. This time it presents the Austrian premiere of [title of show] which opened Off-Broadway in 2006 and subsequently transferred to the Great White Way in 2008. The piece, which features music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen, and book by Hunter Bell chronicles the story of Jeff and Hunter (originally played by the writers themselves) who are trying to submit an entry for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. It also traces the collaboration with the two singers Susan and Heidi (originally played by Heidi Blickenstaff and Susan Blackwell). It is a tribute to musical theatre as well as a story about friendship.
For the Austrian premiere of this modern piece of musical theatre Joanna Godwin-Seidl, who directs and produces the show, has brought together a group of extremely talented actors. Even though the opening number isn’t perfect yet, they all impress vocally. Alan Burgon as Jeff is strong throughout, as is Oliver Watton as Hunter.
It is a real joy to finally see Lynsey Thurgar in a starring role. She is funny and a fine vocalist and actor. Nazide Aylin is a divine singer, and though she isn’t performing in her mother tongue (German) she masters the part really well without an accent at all.
The sets, consisting of black walls with titles of shows (with a slight twist such as ‘Woman in Pink’ or ‘Dogs’), designed by Joanna Godwin-Seidl and Richard Panzenböeck, works really well for this intimate production. Along with Birgit Zach, who serves as musical director and steps in for a cameo as Mary the piano gal, the creative team manages to create a show that really focuses on the talent of the performers and highlights the wonderful score. The show features lighting by Johanna Frank and sound design by Gernot Ottowitz.
Ludovico Lucchesi Palli, musicaltheatrereview.com, 2.10. 2014
Theater-Tipp:
[Title of show] im Theater Drachengasse
Das vienna theatre project präsentiert im Theater Drachengasse das Erfolgsmusical [Title of show]. Jeff (Alan Burgon) und Hunter (Oliver Watton) erfahren vom New York Musical Theatre Festival. Sie träumen schon lange davon, ihren Lebensunterhalt durch das Schreiben und Komponieren von Stücken verdienen zu können und beschließen ihr Glück zu versuchen. Einziges Problem: sie haben nur noch drei Wochen Zeit, um ihr Werk einzuschicken und noch keine einzige Zeile geschrieben. Sie holen sich zwei befreundete Schauspielerinnen (Nazide Aylin und Lynsey Thurgar) ins Boot und legen los. Ob sie erfolgreich sein werden?
Für das vienna theatre project verlief die Premiere auf jeden Fall erfolgreich. Die Requisite beschränkt sich im Großen und Ganzen auf vier Sessel und einen Truthahn-Burger, das Orchester dieses Musicals auf ein Klavier. Mehr braucht dieses Ensemble nicht, um eine tolle Show zu bieten. Die schauspielerische Leistung steht hier klar im Vordergrund und überzeugt. Mit viel Humor, Selbstironie und tollen Stimmen wird die positive Botschaft des Stückes vermittelt.
Sehr kurzweilige zwei Stunden, die das Publikum mit viel Applaus belohnte.
www.theatania.at, Clarissa Bittermann
