Successful Musical ‘Ku’damm 56’ Extended
The popular musical “Ku’damm 56” has been extended and will play at Berlin’s Stage Theater des Westens through the end of September. The musical, based on the TV hit of the same name, is a joint project of BMG and UFA Fiction under the umbrella of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance. It is about awakening, first love and empowerment in the era of Germany’s economic miracle, the Wirtschaftswunder.
“In a league with London and New York” (“Nordwest Zeitung”), “Berlin has a new mega-musical” (“Berliner Kurier”), “A major musical with German material, by local authors, that rocks a metropolitan stage with its energy and excitement!” (“Berliner Zeitung”) – when the musical “Ku’damm 56” celebrated its world premiere at Berlin’s Stage Theater des Westens at the end of November last year, viewers and reviewers alike waxed rapturous. Happily, the audience’s enthusiasm has remained high, and so the musical produced by BMG and UFA Fiction has now extended its run. “Ku’damm 56 – Das Musical” will now be on view up to and including September of this year. Tickets for the additional shows are on sale now.
The UFA Fiction TV production “Ku’damm 56” already thrilled an audience of millions when it aired on TV in March 2016. Its adaptation for the musical stage was created in close collaboration between Annette Hess, the Grimme Award-winning author of the story, and the songwriting team Peter Plate and Ulf-Leo Sommer (whose credits include Rosenstolz, Max Raabe, and Sarah Connor). The TV series and musical tell the story of Berlin dance school owner Caterina Schöllack and her three daughters. It is about awakening, first love and empowerment in the time of the German economic miracle. With emotionally charged songs and passionate performances and choreography by the actors and actresses, the musical creates a very special atmosphere on stage and takes the audience on a journey back in time to the turbulent 1950s.
Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer are thrilled about the enthusiastic reception: “We’re just overwhelmed by how much love we’re getting for our work. We’re simply over the moon,” the two are quoted as saying in a joint statement. Annette Hess says: “Rarely has a work made me so happy: each show is unique because it is unique and unrepeatable, a living work of art and a great gift. Thanks to this brilliant ensemble, the literally unforgettable music, and our passionate audience – I am so excited that we will get to give many more unique performances.” Marc Lepetit, producer of the TV series “Ku’Damm 56/59/63,” adds, “Culture in these times is a real risk – but the gratitude, love, and feedback that the team and the performances have received keep us going. Here’s to many more audience members leaping up and singing along to ‘Berlin, Berlin’ and leaving the theater filled with joy following the performance.”
“Ku’damm 56 – Das Musical” was produced by BMG and UFA Fiction under the umbrella of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance. Dominique Casimir, Executive Vice President Global Repertoire & Marketing at BMG, UFA CEO Nico Hofmann, UFA Fiction Managing Director Benjamin Benedict, and UFA Fiction producer Marc Lepetit are responsible for the project.
