Hello Fellow Ozians!

I'm Peter, and I'm a HUGE Wicked fan in Los Angeles! I've seen Wicked 8 times in LA. I love Eden!

Anyways, I've gotten hooked on the German Wicked CD and all the German performances on YouTube. I've actually been learning German as I go along. I can sing "Frei Und Schwerelos" pretty well now. And I've never knew German before. I actually love it and now have been listening to German language learning tapes in my car to really understand the language. I studied Mandarin Chinese for a few years in Taiwan (I'm an American-born Chinese), so from the many hours of singing Chinese Karaoke, I know how important music and singing are to learning a language.

I'm going to Croatia via Frankfurt with my BF in September. On my way back to the Los Angeles, I want to plan my trip to see Wicked in Stuttgart on Sept 21, 2008.

I need your advice!

1. What is the best way to get to Frankfurt to Stuttgart? I heard I should take the train from FRA airport to Stuttgart. How much does that cost? Does the train run regularly? How long does it take?
2. What is the best place to stay in Stuttgart? I don't want to spend too much money on a hotel. $50 to $100 should be my budget per night. I'll be traveling alone. BF is staying in Croatia.
3. What is the best place to buy my tickets? Online or somewhere else?
4. What section do you recommend (other than just the expensive Orchestra). In the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, I actually like the least expensive middle seats for $35 vs. $90 for the orchestra that is on the left or right... so I know that price isn't always the most important in getting a good seat.
5. On a Sunday, should I see the early or later show? Maybe both?
6. Does anybody Wicked fans want to join me for the show?!!! For any German natives... perhaps can I practice my German with you?
7. I'm planning on staying just 2 nights in Stuttgart, I also want to visit the new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart while I'm there. Does anybody know any information about that?

Ich traoum nich laonger, ich leb!

Help me live my dream to see Wicked in Germany!

1. Yeah, I'd say the train is the best way to get from FRA to STR. If you book early enough (89 days), one way costs 29 €, but that depends if the "Dauer-Spezial" is available. The normal price, however, is 54 €. The train runs very regularly, about once per hour and takes around 1:14 hours. Have a look at bahn.de, also available in English.
2. Well, since I live near Stuttgart, I don't really know. But there is a hostel (www.alex30-hostel.com), it's about a quarter of an hour away from the theatre by U-Bahn and only like 2 stops or something from the city center. I've heard of another hotel which seems to be good, it's nearer to the theatre, but further away from the city center: www.hotel-koerschtal.de/en.
3. Online, but I'm not sure if they ship to the US (www.topticketline.de or www.ticketonline.de), or call TopTicketLine. But perhaps someone else knows something about that, too.
4. Uhm, perhaps the seats in the back of the Palla in the orchestra, but I've only sat in the first 5 rows up to now and didn't have to pay for the dress rehearsal.
5. Normally the cast is the same in both shows sundays, so, I think it depends very much of your schedule.
6. Maybe.. At least I want to see Wicked again before I go to Spain for 15 months.
7. Oops, I didn't know there will be a new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, but I googled and found out it will only be opend at the end of this year, but I don't know when exactly.

1. I agree with @ Shenaz post.

2. Use the Hotel Reservation Service: www.hrs.de, also available in Englisch (Use pull-down menu beside "Login") There you'll get very cheap hotel fares,
also for high-priced hotels.

3. Internetbooking is the only way to buy from abroad, but it's only available in German. If you need help, please shout! Regularly the tickets are deposited for you in box office, and so you have to collect them before the show.

4. Some "margin-seats" in front Orchestra are relative cheap but nevertheless you are near to the stage. For sure you have to figure on little ristrictions of sight.

5. I also agree with @ Shenaz post.

6. I'm game!

7. As alternative I recommend the worth watching new Mercedes-Benz-Museum in Stuttgart. www.museum-merceds-benz.com (Hompage also available in English)

Guten Tag Jogibear and Shenaz!!!!

Thanks for the answers! This helps out a lot. I'm listening to Willemijn right now on YouTube as I'm typing this... hee hee.

Since I'm coming from so far away, I definitely don't want visually restrictive seating. But, I just don't think that I need orchestra seating if it's going to cost me double than Mezzanine seating that will be just as good. I'm the kind of person that likes to see everything from a slight distance instead of seeing it from really up close. I really would like to see the entire stage. But, I wanted to know is if I got "nose-bleed" seats or seats that are high up, is it too far. In New York, the nose-bleed seats are too high up and I don't like those.... However, in Los Angeles at the Pantages, I actually like the nose-bleed section. BTW- for non-native English speakers reading this thread, the "nose bleed section" is an idiom derived from the fact that the seats are so high up (like in the mountains), your nose bleeds... it's suppose be a little sarcastic and funny.

I'm going to look at the hotels today and see which one will work out. I really would like to book a hotel that is in a good location or very close to the U-Bahn. And I want to make sure that I can go to the Porsche and the Mercedes museum.

Thanks Jogibear for the Mercedes Museum idea, I would love to see that too. My family is a big German auto fan. My father has owned a Mercedes-Benz auto for over 20 years and I have a Porsche. Both companies make great cars! I'd really love my auto, so I'd love to see where it was born :-) The Porsche Museum is suppose to open in Fall 2008, so I'm praying that it'll open by Sept 21!

If you have any more suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thank you so much again!!!

Danke!

Peter

I have only sat once in the mezzanine but I prefer much the seats in the back section of the orchestra. The view should be great there as well without restrictions. In my opinion the seats in the back section in the orchestra of the same price are much more better than the ones in the mezzanine or balcony. At the open day in the theatre two weeks ago I sat in row 17 orchestra which was great, but it it's still PK 1.

According to my parents, the Daimler-Benz-Museum is great, I haven't been there yet.

Hey Peter,

hope you get to see Wicked in Stuttgart!
I would prefer either orchestra seating (the back seats are great for an entire stage view) or mezzanine - but only in the first 3 rows or something.
Don't worry: the view in the whole theatre is really good (except the 2nd mezzanine, just too far away from the stage - I think these are your "nose-bleed" seats haha).
The best way to book your tickets is topticketline.de. Calling TopTicketLine is often like a small adventure, even for Germans (@others: you know what I'm talking about! xD).

The Porsche Museum is likely to open in September '08, so you may have luck in that point! This is going to be fantastic! The architecture is very unique (already looks like a big spaceship yet). And don't miss the Mercedes Benz Museum - such a great experience for everyone.

Thanks everybody for the advice!!

Okay, there's been a slight change of plans. It looks like I'll be arriving in Stuttgart on Thursday, Sept 18th. And I think I want to see at least 2 shows. I think on Friday and on Saturday. Or both of the Saturday shows. I think the most important thing is that I want to see the show with other Wicked fans! It would be so much more fun.

Also, that brings me the the 2nd questions. Besides the Porsche and Mercedes Museum, what else do you think is there to do in Stuttgart? Can anybody make some more recommendations? I can leave on either Sunday, Sept 21st or Monday, Sept, 22nd to Los Angeles. I'm trying to figure out if I should stay the extra day and leave on a Monday?

Of course, I love German cars, I love outdoor markets, nature activities.

Do you there is enough things to do to stay 4 nights in Stuttgart while I'm on my own?

What does everybody think?

Peter

Hi Everybody,

Okay, I've got my plans set in stone:

I'm arriving Thursday, Sept 18th at around 6 pm into Stuttgart

I'm leaving Monday, Sept 22 back to Los Angeles

So, now it's time to figure out what show dates to attend!

Peter

Is that the one thats like "Learn German in 30 days or something"? With the blue cover? My dad plays it in the car ALL THE TIME. Its sooooo annoying, but I'm learning the language.

I've actually been using the "German in 10 Minutes a Day" in my car. And I've been using Rosetta Stone at home. I've been adding vocabulary, but haven't been able to verbally practice yet... in a few months... it should be fun... even if I make a ton of mistakes... ha ha ha.

^ You may be disapointed. My mom told me that nearly everyone in Germany speaks English and will tell you so. That's what happened to her friend who was fluent in German when he traveled there. Lol.

Ha ha ha! Ya, actually, I've been to Germany a couple of times already and I know that most city-dwelling Germans, Swiss and Austrians all speak fluent English... and unlike the French who want you to speak French to you in France, it seems like most Germans just want to speak English to native-English speaking people instead of making us struggle with the language. In any case, I really like the German version of Wicked and wanted to know what was being sung and said during the show. Even when the translations are similar, in a lot of cases, it's not a direct translation. Also, I actually like the way it sounds! Ya, people always say that French sounds so great... I disagree. I think German sounds better!

It's kinda funny because I've been studying German for 2 months on my own... and I'm pretty proud of myself because I can now text to my German friends over the phone and say some useful phrases. At least when I'm in Germany, I will kinda know what is going on if German is being spoken. I've already subscribed to an online German course www.Germanpod101.com for 1 year... so we'll see. I'm always going to be flying through Frankfurt airport... so in the regard... I guess it's good to know some German.

Another thing is that I'm realizing how many German-speaking people live in the US! Most of them don't have a noticable accent like a lot of foreign-born Americans or tourists, so they tend to blend in. However, now that I can understand and pick up German accents a bit better, I realize how many German-speaking people their are in the USA. I don't know if it's true, but an American friend who lived in Germany for 4 years told me that both David Hasselhoff and Sandra Bullock are REAL German! Not Americans with German parents... but REAL German! And that they both speak fluent German! Does anybody know this is true? I knew David Hasselhoff was a famous German folk singer... but Sandra Bullock?! That's surprising! Why would they want to hide that they are German? If it's true, it's just a few more examples of hour Germans speak fluent English... oh.... for all the German speaking people out there... do any non-native German speaking people ever get rid of their American accents? Mine must be so strange... but I don't know it for sure... ha ha ha!

Lol. I hope you understand as much as possible. I'm in French 3 and understand roughly 70% of French movies without subtitles.

I also love the German translation... I don't even understand the language and I can honestly tell that it flows better than the Japanese version... but I listen to both constantly!

I'm very jealous that you'll see it with Willemijn... at least I get Teal and Erin this month! Post a review, please... and try not to laugh at the word Moq. I always do.

Don't forget to get some traveler's checks and don't use the ATMs. The conversion rate is terrible when you withdraw from the ATMs. It's a lot better to covert currency at a bank.

Well, I've been listening to the CDs in my car and I watched Kung Fu Panda auf Deutsch on the airplane. Since I know the movie well, it was pretty easy to watch and understand. I think I want to buy a bunch of American movies with Deutsch subtitles or voiceovers and watch them to improve my German. It's probably one of the best ways to intuitively learn the language without going to a formal class.

I just went to the LA show on Aug 26, and saw Teal and I think, Laura... it was good. A Tuesday show... I like weekend shows a bit better as I think the fans get more involved. That's half the fun!

Thanks for the advice. I normally do withdraw from ATMs, but I also notice the conversion rate isn't that good. I watched the Today show and one of their travel experts recommended that you pay with credit cards because you get a better exchange rate. However, from my many trips overseas, it doesn't seem to be the case. But, I have to say that it's might easy to just hand over the card. :-)

I'm in Croatia right now. It looks like I'm going to be seeing two shows! One on Friday night and one on Saturday matinee.

Write reviews please! Gimme my Willemijn fix-- I hope everything goes well!

Have a fab time! I hope you get to see Willemijn and Jana (at least once). They are FAB together

Hi Everybody,

I just got back from Germany a few hours ago. Just landed back in Los Angeles. I'm a little bit tired right now, but let me say that I had a WONDERFUL trip in Stuttgart! It was truly super! I really want to thank Shenaz and Jogibear for helping me plan my trip and going with me to the shows. I really couldn't have done it without their help. Shenaz really helped me choose a the perfect hotel, Hotel Koerstal, for the show. A 10 minute walk to the Palladium theatre and close to the U-Bahn to the city. She also helped me with getting my first ticket and we shared a meal together before the first show. Really a pleasure meeting Shenaz!!!!

Jogibear is wonderful person and a true Wicked auf Deutsch expert. I couldn't ask for a better person to accompany me to my 2nd show. Afterward, he also gave me a tour of the city center and advice on where to go around the city. Thank you Jogibear for all the maps, advice, helping me buy CDs auf Deutsch and your companionship during the trip. I feel very fortunate to have met both of you.

I saw 3 shows. I saw the Friday, Sept 19th with Will and Lucy, Saturday, Sept 20th matinee with Will and Jana, and Sunday night, Sept 21, 7:00 pm show with Will and Lucy. All were really great! Better than I could imagine.

Some basic things I noticed that were different:

1. Will is a super live singer!!! I thought Eden was powerful... and I love Eden, but Will is just crazy good. I was shaking my head back and forth wondering... how can she sing like this??!!! It was beyond human.
2. The acting is better in Germany! Both Lucy and Jana played the Glinda character more than just a "dumb" blonde, it was a smarter Glinda.
3. The German audience is not as interactive, they don't clap as much as LA crowds, but they are laugh pretty hard at funny parts, especially the "What is this feeling" "blonde" joke.
4. The stage set is more elaborate! The stage extends out to the sides. The flying monkeys actually fly above the crowd when Elphaba says, "Set those monkeys free!" and the Wizard pulls the handle!
5. The lighting is super amazing! And the first night I got the best seat in the house, Row 4, Seat 3! When Elphaba flew into the air, I really felt I was inside the stage. Heaven!
6. It was worth it to get close orchestra (Parkett) seats. I think I paid more than US$150 for the ticket, but I'm glad I did. My second show was in the 1st mezzanne for about E$45, and it was good too. The third night, I a last minute ticket at 6.55 pm, and I asked the cashier in my elementary German, (eine karte nicht tauer bitte). She totally knew I was a crazy fan and gave me an Orchestra (Parkett seat) Row 12, Seat 20 for E$19.90!!!! What a deal!!! It was a great seat for a great price!!! I was so happy.
7. Nicole Radeschig who plays Nessa Rose is really an amazing actor. She really plays the "beautifully tragic" girl to perfection.
8. The costumes are a little bit different. The tiara that Glinda wears is different, matches her wand!
9. Mathias is my favorite Fiyero now
10. The German version is a bit longer than the English version as they have to explain a lot of the story to some who do not know the Wizard of Oz movie. They say "Dorothy" about 5 times in the show.

Okay, more later on.... need to go to defy jet lag now.

Again, viele danke Shenaz und Jogibear!!! You both are super!!!

Peter

I'm turning beet-red with so much compliments. Stop it @ DerZauberer or else I'm going to be stuck up. For the rest it only remains for me to add that it was great and funny, we both togheter "DerZauberer und ich" I do a review of the Saturday show after work. Maybe we could it do toghether @ DerZauberer.

BTW: U must be very tired @ DerZauberer, cause you confuse names. I'm pretty sure on Sunday night you saw Jana, not Lucy.

You're right, I was pretty tired when I wrote this... ha ha ha... It was Jana and Willejimn on the Sunday night.

You... SAWITTHREETIMES!
I hate you so much

Not really, but I'm like so jealous it's not even funny