Music theater - Musical about the Oktoberfest - in Berlin of all places
Over the story of the origin of Oktoberfest, there is now a funny musical that celebrates its premiere not in Munich, but in the constantly competing German capital Berlin. "Oktoberfest The Musical. Almost True..." is the name of the piece with music by star composer Harold Faltermeyer ("Axel F") at the Renaissance Theater, which is scheduled to run more than 25 times until August 11.
This two-hour musical is a kind of Meta-drama (play-within-a-play/play-within-a-play), as it revolves around the story of an international theater troupe that wants to produce a musical called "Oktoberfest The Musical."
In Berlin "loosed from this Bavarian seriousness"
Composer Faltermeyer (71) told the Munich "Abendzeitung" beforehand that he couldn't exclude the possibility that it might one day be played in Munich, "but this Berlin idea was an 'Aha' effect for me: loosed from this Bavarian seriousness, from this unconditionally true story, hence also the nickname: almost true story, almost true."
Faltermeyer calls the musical a colorful comedy. He laughed every time he heard the Pfister siblings' casting. Behind the cabaret stars "Geschwister Pfister" are the actors and singers Christoph Marti and Tobias Bonn. The male duo shone most recently about the Opera Bern as Albin and Georges in the musical "La Cage aux Folles" under the direction of filmmaker Axel Ranisch.
Background: The original Wiesn in October 1810 was a royal wedding feast. All of Munich seemed to be celebrating as Crown Prince Ludwig - the later King Ludwig I - married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
At that time, it was also about emphasizing the rule of the Residenzstadt Munich and the Wittelsbachs.
In the program booklet, Faltermeyer reveals that all the songs are "my babies," "sent out into the world to bring people joy and entertainment." The love song of Ludwig and Theresa, "Could You Still Love Me?", is particularly dear to him.
Songs in English
The songs will be sung in English (with subtitles): "In this wonderfully cosmopolitan world of Berlin, I have no reservations about that not being accepted," says Faltermeyer.
The native Munich is known for the song "Top Gun (Anthem)" from the 80s Hollywood hit with Tom Cruise, for which he also won a Grammy. Faltermeyer is also famous for the instrumental piece "Axel F."
The cinematic hit "Beverly Hills Cop" from 1984 with the main character Axel Foley (played by Eddie Murphy) has recently received a sequel 40 years after the first case: the Netflix action comedy "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" with the now 63-year-old Murphy.
The Oktoberfest in Munich is considered the largest folk festival in the world. The 189th Oktoberfest takes place from September 21 to October 6, 2024. The large festival tents on the Theresienwiese are already being built. After it has been called "Ozapft is!" on September 21, over six million visitors are expected within good two weeks.
- The musical "Oktoberfest The Musical. Almost True..." is currently playing at the Renaissance Theater in Berlin, with music by Harold Faltermeyer.
- Despite originally originating in Bavaria, Faltermeyer expressed that he found the Berlin production of the musical to be an "Aha" effect, allowing for a more playful and deviated take from the traditional story.
- The two-hour musical is a meta-drama, revolving around an international theater troupe aiming to produce a musical titled "Oktoberfest The Musical."
- In the musical, all songs are revealed by Faltermeyer as "my babies," which were sent out into the world to bring joy and entertainment to people.
- The native Munich composer, known for "Top Gun (Anthem)" and the instrumental piece "Axel F," expressed no reservations about the musical being performed in English during its Berlin run, embracing the city's cosmopolitan nature.
