July 21, 2022
This year’s musical summer in Amstetten takes us back to the 1950s. “Grease” premiered there on Wednesday. The film adaptation from 1978 with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John was a lasting cinema success.
Hits like “Summer Nights” and “You’re the one that I want” still find their way into many radio playlists today. The story behind it is easy to understand and guarantees perfect entertainment on a warm summer evening.
Sandy (Deike Darrelmann) happens to go to the same school as her holiday flirt Danny (Alexander Auler). But he doesn’t want to know anything more regarding her. The former convent student doesn’t fit the image of the macho and cool womanizer. Sandy is deeply disappointed and treats Danny with contempt.
This, in turn, cannot be tolerated and tries sometimes more, sometimes less for Sandy’s heart. In the end, Sandy becomes “cooler”, Danny sings “You’re the one that I want” and so the two characters don’t find each other in heaven, as initially sung regarding, but already on the stage.
Carefree lightness without high fuel prices
The aim is to achieve carefree lightness, according to producer Christoph Heigl. This has undoubtedly been successful. Stage design including video projections and the costumes, including Elvis hairstyles and of course the obligatory petticoats, convey an authentic 50s feeling.
One is reminded of a time when high gas prices, non-smoking laws and inflation did not play a role. The band around Christian Frank ensures the perfect musical atmosphere. The catchy tunes are sitting. However, some of the supporting actors, such as Muriel Willfurth as Jan or Eiko Keller as Johnny Casino, had more powerful voices than the two main actors.
Premiere with playback vocals
Leading actress Deike Darrelmann may have taken the phrase “neck and leg break” too literally, because her voice gave out just during the break. The show had to be saved with taped vocals and playback. But Darrelmann mastered this better than some playback “professionals” and so this little glitch didn’t stop the stormy applause and standing ovations at the end. The audience enthusiastically sang along to the highlights of the show presented during the final applause.
Advance ticket sales promise a successful summer of musicals in Amstetten: Eight additional performances have been scheduled and 82 percent of the tickets have already been sold in advance.
By Verena Schoeberl