- "Anatevka" premiere at the Cathedral Festival
The Domstufen-Festspiele in Erfurt kicked off their current season with the musical classic "Anatevka". The premiere, set against the backdrop of the imposing Dom and Severikirche, was met with enthusiastic applause from over 2,000 spectators. Around 100 performers brought the production to life. The stage set on the steps of the Dom is dominated by an eight-meter-long overturned milk can - a symbol of a world gone awry.
"If I Were a Rich Man"
This Broadway musical tells the story of Tevy, a Jewish milkman living in a fictional village called Anatevka in 1905. It explores universal themes such as family, generational conflicts, tolerance, empathy, and solidarity, as well as expulsion and survival in difficult times. Numbers like "If I Were a Rich Man" are sure to stay in your ear. First performed in 1964, the original titled "Fiddler on the Roof" was composed by Jerry Bock and written by Joseph Stein, based on stories by Sholem Aleichem, a Ukrainian-Jewish author.
20 Performances Planned
"Anatevka" was directed in Erfurt by Ulrich Wiggers, with choreography by Kati Heidebrecht. The musical's themes also fit well in Erfurt, a city with historical Jewish sites, including the old synagogue, which have been UNESCO World Heritage sites for nearly a year. The theater has planned a total of 20 performances until August 25, with the tribune seating up to around 2,100 guests. The theater hopes to match or even surpass last year's visitor record of 44,500.
The Domstufen-Festspiele in Erfurt is not only hosting "Anatevka" from Germany, but also several other productions this season. The rich history of Jewish culture in Germany is reflected in the musical's themes, making it a fitting choice for performances in Erfurt.
