Hallo zusammen!
Ich bin zurück aus Deutschland,,, mit viele Geschichten! Es war wunderbar!

I arrived back in the United States thursday the 18th, but i'm just now getting back into the swing of things. College, homework, etc.. I'm going to keep this "review," ...sweet, short and epic. Germany was everything and more. It would be impossible for me to express the reasons why I love the country so much, but I know the people i've met there and my captivation into the language is a big part of it. Have you ever tried to explain something you really love? You probably end up going, "uh..well...i...it's just...i...LOVE it!" My first trip to Germany last year, opened my eyes to what is beyond the United States. Something different and worthwhile in more ways than you could ever explain through text. And after missing the three actresses I traveled 4,197 miles per way to meet (Willemijn, Lucy and Jessica Kessler (from WWRY))...I knew it wouldn’t be too long, until my return back to Germany. Although, THIS time, I kept my hopes extremely low as to whom I’d get to meet, AND I am reassured now after this trip that, that is the way to go!

Keep in mind: This isn’t as much a REVIEW as it is just my thoughts and feelings about my experiences and the shows.

BEST OF MUSICAL GALA 2010: Wednesday, March, 10th 2010 (EVE)

I flew from the United States, into Frankfurt, Germany and arrived the morning of the 10th, with tickets to the Best of Musical Gala that night. Can we talk about completely epic casting decisions? Willemijn, Pia, Elisabeth, Anton, DMJ, Mark, Ana, Patrick…..talent overload x50. I knew that the way that this show/night played out, would set the tone for the rest of my trip. The Festhalle, Frankfurt is beyond huge. We're talking seating from Earth to Pluto. Festhalle + Finding a Stage Door = extremely doubtful Jessica!! So when I went into the venue to buy a program, I asked one of the workers nearby and they said I had no chance. Not cool. With that, I put the stage door in the back of my mind and was ready to embark on this Best of Musical Gala exploit!

The show was so "genial."”I cannot describe the feeling I had before the show, knowing that I was for sure, after years of wishing, going to see Willemijn defy gravity. Let alone in other scenes accompanied by Pia and Elisabeth, two actresses I adore, yet never dreamed Id be able to see. A few of my favorite scenes from the show were the pieces from, "We Will Rock You," (Willemijn as Killer Queen and Ozzy is so good its scary) "Tarzan," "Brooklyn," "Dirty Dancing," and of course "Wicked." Although seeing an Elphaba defy gravity in the Act 2 dress, is quite interesting. Nevertheless, a small portion of one of my dreams was accomplished. Seeing Willemijn live on stage, doing what we have all come to know and love. I am thoroughly convinced there is not a soul out there who has the same or enough to even touch the vocal abilities that Willemijn has within her. Talk about something, to be proud of wholeheartedly. I have come to find that there are performers who simply have wonderful voices and then there are life performers. And what I mean by a life performer is someone, whose voice is so pure, and giving that it makes connections with the audience. Someone who can touch your heart with every note and gesture. I have found many, many performers who Ive come to admire because of their vocal abilities, but there are only a select few Ive found, like that of Willemijn, who are all powerful. Overall, nothing but good criticism for the show in general. I couldnt see Stage Entertainment pulling off such a large production in any other way.

After the show ended, I met up with one of my German friends who had also seen the show. Thanks to one of her friends, who had some inside connections, we were told the best place to go wait for cast members. The reality of there actually being a stage DOOR...to put it simple, there wasnt one. More of an extremely large gate, near the closest hotel. My hopes were still dim, but I was anxious in fan girly hope. After just a short while, Mark Seibert walked towards us and stopped to chat. Keeping this story short, I was able to meet/talk too, still to my disbelief Mark, Pia, Elisabeth, Anton, DMJ and Willemijn ...It was about an hour of blurry excitement! la la la end of day one in Germany! I wasn't planning on meeting anyone after the show, just because I knew how complicated the venue was, so that explains the lack of time I took to get ready and my looking icky in these pictures...


^^Mark Seibert


^^Pia Douwes


^^Elisabeth Hübert


^^Anton Zetterholm


^^Willemijn Verkaik ...




WICKED: Friday, March, 12th 2010




The drive from Frankfurt am Main to Oberhausen was an adventure in itself. I really didn’t remember it taking that long, but I’m convinced now that it was just me being my anxious self, afraid of being late! The Metronom Theatre is beautiful, a second favorite to that of the Apollo Theater in Stuttgart. After seeing/meeting Willemijn at the Best of Musical Gala, I was going to be happy with whoever was on that night at Wicked. I had seen Melanie Gebhard as Elphaba last year in Stuttgart and now in Oberhausen I feel privileged to say that I saw Roberta Valentini. She was absolutely remarkable. So in touch with her motives and deeply damaged in her character. Her character of a young college student with unending flaws, but Roberta outside of herself was flawless. She was everything I have ever looked for in an Elphaba. I truly wish more fans would have the opportunity to see her live, especially those who do not speak the language. It forces you to concentrate on movements, tones and feelings, rather than the typical. I cannot say one dire thing about her portrayal vocally or acting wise, which is easily the most convincing I’ve seen out of any Elphaba since Carmen Cusack. Vocally, I fell hard for Roberta’s soft side. “Wie ich Bin” was my favorite song of the night because of her low notes on that of “Auf dem Weg übers Meer...Wie ein Samen den ein Vogel trägt....“ Too beautiful for words. Anyone who has seen her, I’m sure you would have noticed this as well. After beginning to lose touch with the show, Roberta reminded me of its significance in a not so “showy” way.

And then there was my Oberhausen Glinda, dearest, darlingest, Joana Fee Würz. What a gem, this beautiful girl is. I usually get really irritated when people give the excuse of, “Oh she just hasn’t had enough stage time to grow into the role.” I believe that if the person is good enough to be cast in the role, they should be top notch from the beginning. Joana is the proof of a professional. After only 5 or 6 performances of Glinda prior to this show, Joana was no newcomer when it came to her stage decisions. And this is what it’s all about ladies and gentlemen, knowing what you want and going for it! She was spectacular. I cannot stress how grateful the Wicked team must feel to have her on board with the company. She is gorgeous, quirky, but most importantly, real. She is simply real. A soaring soprano with a smile that lasts for days. I wish I could say more about her performance, but in general, what is there to say about something so good? Roberta and Joana together are my new favorite pair. When they looked at each other, it wasn’t just staring. When they laughed with each other, it wasn’t just fake giggles. When they held each other, it wasn’t forced. And when they cried, it wasn’t because it was natural, but because of their commitment to each other.

After the show, I stood outside at the stage door. The first person I talked too was Mathias Edenborn. Nice guy, not so wonderful English, so we talked in German! I felt so accomplished that I could hold a fluent conversation. When Melanie Gebhard came out, I called her over to talk for a little. She is super sweet and I loved getting the chance to talk to her again, a year later. Then the lovely Roberta came out! We talked for a good while and she said that she knew I was coming! A friend had told her and she knew I was from the U.S.A. She was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. It was really cold outside, and she said, “Oh my dear, you must be so cold!” Then she put her arms around me and said “It’s really cold in Germany, isn’t it?” It really was a brisk night in Oberhausen! We talked for a good while after that and then some creepy guy asked if he could take a picture OF her. Not with her, just of her. So she of course said yes and stood there smiling. The guy literally took like 2 whole minutes to take the picture, so Roberta was just smiling away and then just started laughing because it was really awkward. So yes, then Joana was the last one out. The guy also asked for a picture of Joana, so she stood there smiling as well, for a good 2 minutes. She also started laughing because of the awkwardness! She then came over to me and I asked her in German if we could speak English, just because I knew she was fluent, and she answered… “Oh ja! Natürlich!!!...I mean….umm….Of course!!!” It was absolutely adorable. We laughed for awhile at that one. She was so, so kind.

My highest and deepest compliments to Oberhausen’s Ozians. I wish with everything inside of me that America could get a glimpse of the heart and soul in Wicked Germany. It is so difficult to compare the German production the United States productions because they really are entirely different pieces of art. As much as you may question the differences, you’re not seeing the same show. You’re seeing the same work, portrayed by different people, with different beliefs, that come from different backgrounds, that speak different languages, that are culturally different and want different things out of their roles. But as we all learned through Wicked, it’s just looking at things, another way.


^^Mathias Edenborn


^^Melanie Gebhard


^^Roberta Valentini


^^Joana Fee Würz


I'm breaking this up into two threads in order to fit pictures!! I really like pictures hehe

TANZ DER VAMPIRE: Saturday, March, 13th 2010 AND Tuesday, March, 16th 2010



I thought I would say a few things about Tanz der Vampire since Lucy Scherer was Sarah for both of my shows and I know there are some Jan Ammann lovers here on WoO, like myself! Lucy shined just like a star while dancing with vampires. The role of Sarah is so, so perfect for her. Ive always loved her in the role, even more than I loved her as Glinda, but I had only dreamed of the day shed reprise her role. The timing was to my advantage in getting to see her, since she is only in Stuttgart for the month of March. Jan I had fallen in love with (literally) a year ago in Oberhausen, so I knew there was going to be nothing but pure brilliance out of him. The whole current cast of Tanz der Vampire, Jan, Lucy, Krisha, Linda, etc., are all small pieces of perfection. And when you set them all together at once, of course you have in my opinion, the masterpiece musical of Germany. Nothing can touch this musical! So los! Die Vampire laden zum Tanz! Also, at the merchandise counter when i was buying a shirt, the lady asked if I was part of the cast...ummm...i was speaking english and was CLEARLY american. lol. but I was flattered and replied, "not yet."

I met the cast after the show of course. They were all very kind and gracious. I talked to Jan for a good while and he asked me if seeing the show in Stuttgart was different than seeing it in Oberhausen. I said it was different without Nele-Liis Vaiksoo (Sarah), who was simply astounding during her run in Oberhausen, but of course Lucy was just as wonderful. Jan agreed and said that he misses Nele-Liis, but absolutely adores working with Lucy. When Lucy came out, I was a little nervous! Meeting Lucy has always been a farfetched dream, so this moment for me was huge. Like most others, I asked in German to speak English and she was so sweet about it, answering, “Oh yes, of course!” I told her that I'd wanted to meet her for almost 3 years now and her jaw dropped to the floor. It was quite comical! We had a really awesome conversation and she was so interested in my journey, of how Id come to love Germany and the musicals/people there. I told her that I saw the Best of Musical Gala with Willemijn and she automatically put her hand on her heart and said, Oh Willemijn, Im so sad I didnt get to see it! Even though it was sad how disappointed she was she didnt see the tour, that statement made me so happy. She really truly loves Willemijn and that is so evident, even now when they are apart. Im so touched by Lucys honesty. I knew she was a kind, caring person, but my admiration and respect for her is so high. I hope that I will be able to amount to even half of the person she is.


^^Lucy Scherer ...


^^Jan Ammann





WE WILL ROCK YOU: Sunday, March 14th, 2010



Is this, a kind…of magic?? I wont elaborate much on We Will Rock You, but I had to at least bring it up because it is one of my favorite musicals. I hadnt seen the show, since the closing month in Canada. Anyone familiar with the german cast? Jessica Kessler? Vera Bolten? Rahel Fischer? Alex Melcher? They are all 10 kinds of wonderful. If you dont know them, run to the Apollo Theater, or youtube right now! This show is ROCKIN!! Its so much FUN. And I find that in some musicals, they are so deep and storyline strict that the fun is sometimes lost, but definitely not here in We Will Rock You. I had full cast besides that of Jessica Kessler. She was out preparing to go on as Ozzy, but in her place was original Cologne Scaramouche, Vera Bolten. EPIC WIN. Not much to say, the show was awesome. I couldnt have asked for a better way to end my musical adventure then with the brilliance that is We Will Rock You.

I didnt exactly stage door for We Will Rock You because my friend knew the cast members, but around the area and inside I met Vera, Alex, Rahel and Nicole. After this day, I had met every cast member in Germany I have ever wanted to meet. Cloud 9. Literally.
AND if my life wasnt complete enough, I met Jessica Kessler, my favorite performer out of anyone in the entire world...in the bar, where we talked about this, that and everything!


^^Nicole Malangré ...


^^Rahel Fischer ...She has a new musical coming up soon in Switzerland if anyone is around that area!!!


^^Vera Bolten


^^Jessica Kessler ...

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts and experiences! I know that Tanz der Vampire and We Will Rock You have really nothing to do with Wicked, but I thought Id throw them in anyway. Humor me! I'm just a walking advertisement for German musicals!
If you want to know more or anything more specifically, feel free to ask!

Bis dann!!
Liebe Grüße

~Jessica

Joana
I'm so glad you like her, she's such a piece of gold. Both German cast (Stuttgart and now Oberhausen) are the best Wicked could get!

Also, you saw Vera in WWRY? I thought she already left lol But yay for you meeting Jessica in the bar!! She's (according to me) the best Scaramouche out there and I'd love to see her as Ozzy, I'm sure she rocks the role!

I couldnt have said it better myself! The cast of Stuttgart and now of Oberhasuen really are the best Wicked cast arrangements the show will probably ever get. There must be some brilliant performing secrets they are holding over there, besides the obvious of every lead and alternate being over the rainbow, phenomenal!!

And YES! Vera Bolten is actually just a walk-in cover for Scaramouche. So, it is very rare that she goes on before one of the regular covers, but Im so overly happy she did! I totally agree in Jessy being the best Scaramouche, and from what I hear her Ozzy is also one that would be very hard to top! ...and YOU cant stop ROCKIN!

And the cast are so european! Willemijn's dutch, Roberta's italian and the ensemble is from everywhere! There must be something on the continent's water. I'm sure of it =)
Then you're very lucky! =D Aww, now I want to see Jessica as Ozzy even more xD

I forgot to say this before, but Mark Seibert and Pia I love those two so much I can't even begin to explain xD
And you know? The other day I was talking with one of my friends and we conclude that there was something missing on the BoM Gala: Willemijn and Mark should have sang Tonight from West Side Story! (it's "should have sang", right? I have the feeling my English is been crappy lol)

great set of reviews!!! :D:D:D:D

Ooo yah, I never thought about that, but they could have definitely made it work!! and yes that's right, dont worry, your english is wonderful.



Danke!!

I am glad you got to see Willemijn!! She certainly is the holy grail of Elphabas.



Australia's casual Elphaba Patrice Tipoki tops Willemijn's vocals tenfold. Perhaps you may have to take a trip to Australia to check her out



he he he. The German cast are so kind and sociable. It was lovely to meet them and have this warm reception from the cast; something you don't get in, say, London.



I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. Wicked Germany is a very different beast to Wicked US which is, again a different beast to Wicked London and Wicked Australia. Each production is shaped by the culture of its people which is why seeing the shows internationally is a wonderful and insightful experience.

Love Jan and Tanz!! Must have been great to see Lucy as Sarah.

I have listened to Patrice and I really like her vocals, she's GREAT. I would jump to see her in a heartbeat. Im still partial to Ms. Verkaik though hehe Maybe someday I'll end up in Australia! I've always wanted to see a Kangaroo

he he he! that made me chuckle...and YES. Germany's cast members were SO warm and welcoming. They really made me feel appreciated and they took all the time they had to talk with you. And actually talk, not just "hi thanks for coming and for the support"...really love them all.

SO glad you understood what I was trying to say. I thought I was going to get slammed with that one, if someone took it the wrong way...but yes, I also agree wholeheartedly.

It was a dream come true to had seen Lucy as Sarah.

For me also I bought a ticket for Tanz ages ago, just a random day... which turned out to be Lucy's last. I nearly cried. Such a wonderful fluke of timing!

Also, I was at Best of Musical on the 10th too, but for the matinee.

Great review Jessica! Thank you so much for posting! I'm feeling quite emotional reading your reviews in remembering my experiences earlier this year which now seem like a hazy blur. LOL might be the wine I've been drinking but I had tears welling up reading some of your comments. BOM was such a wonderful show with so many fave songs from various musicals, as well as, so many stars under the one umbrella. I only knew of Willemijn, Pia and Mark prior...the others were a bonus! Apart from busting to see Willemijn live on stage...I was so impressed with the variety of roles she portrayed with each musical number...I believed each one which is not an easy task when you consider it's only one or two songs per segment and the time necessary to get emotionally involved with her characters.

I'm so glad you got to meet the cast and see Lucy as Sarah in Tanz! I simply ADORE that gal for the Glinda she made so REAL for me! My dream was to see Willemijn in a full Wicked show with her but then I probably would never have booked for BOM had she been there for the Stuttgart finale, so all in all was meant to be. Still want to meet that gal in person though to pay homage and I would like to go back someday as all the German shows I've seen (Wicked, Tanz and BOM), have opened my eyes to a whole new musical world! My sights were always on Broadway and the West End prior to Wicked in Stuttgart. The cast members I met at the Wicked fan club meeting were absolutely wonderful...you hit the nail on the head in how you described their warmth....reminds me of our Jemma (Elphaba here in Australia), a genuine sincerity which is all encompassing. I was particularly moved by your comments in reference to a "life performer" and how they touch your soul....it's a magical experience and why I LOVE ADORE & WORSHIP our Patrice. I thought that gal was great before but after witnessing a recent performance last week...my FAVE Elphaba vocally of ALL I've heard...I'm still flying high!

YAY for you lfae!

^^^You are very welcome! I am glad I could bring some of the memories back for you. And you're right about Best of Musical, for an actor its probably one of the most difficult shows to be in simply because of character connections. Its hard enough to engage yourself within one charcter for 3 hours, let alone...like...10

Oh Lucy in Tanz.. How I wish she would have stayed with the vampires for longer than a month, but im sure she will be wonderful in Lulu!! (If anyone is in or near Innsbruck, Austria...GO SEE LUCY ) I really, REALLY adore her too. I feel I owe a lot to Lucy, Willemijn and Jessica for opening my eyes to whats out there and not only theatre wise, but in general. I now have met so many remarkable performers because of them and have learned of so many new shows! And not to mention, the difficult yet brilliant language that I am now in college studying. You're right, there is a whole different world of musical theatre in Germany...and personally, to think i've been a part of it, is just amazing.

I WILL make it to Aussie. Someday.

lfae, that is SO great!!! and Best of Musical Gala, Frankfurt...for the win!!

I am so excited for Lulu! I've had THAT on the cards since before Tanz, I do believe! Planning the next trip to encompass Tecklenburg as well... and Oberhausen again, of course. I'd like to see more of the city, I was only there for two days last week.

Oh my!! Do tell me about it after you see it!? I am not familiar with the show at all, but I seem to adore all of Lucy's work. hehe!!