A homage to the exceptional Austrian artist
He was a superstar - he was popular. The latest VBW in-house production tells the exciting and moving story of the young Viennese musician Hans Hölzel and his rise to world stardom in a spectacular and at the same time touching new musical created especially for Vienna by top international creatives. With over 60 million records sold, numerous number 1 hits and songs in hit parades in 27 countries, Falco is still one of the most successful pop stars in Europe.
You can find more information about your visit to the Ronacher here:
Hans
Moritz Mausser, born in Vienna, grew up in Baden near Vienna and came into contact with musicals at an early age through theatre visits with his family. At the age of nine, he discovered his passion for singing and acting and was part of the musical theatre group teatro for over 10 years from 2011. Here he played King John (ROBIN HOOD), Laurie Laurence (LITTLE WOMEN) and the Mad Hatter (ALICE IN WONDERLAND), among others. He also took part in productions at the Bühne Baden (including PETER PAN). In 2020, Moritz began his studies in musical entertainment theatre at the MUK Vienna, where he appeared in several productions (Dickon/Archibald in SECRET GARDEN, ELEGIES, PIPPIN). He received the 1st prize at the ‘Papageno Awards’ in 2019 for his portrayal of the Mad Hatter, and in 202 He made his professional debut as Archduke Rudolf in the semi-staged version of ELISABETH (2023) in front of Schönbrunn Palace. As part of the VBW workshops for ROCK ME AMADEUS – DAS FALCO MUSICAL, he developed the role of Hans, which he will now play in the world premiere.
Alter Ego
Since completing his acting and singing training in Hamburg, Alex has appeared on German and international stages. Under the direction of Roman Polanski, he played Alfred in TANZ DER VAMPIRE at the Raimund Theater. In Germany, he appeared as Mark in the original production of RENT, and at the Theater St. Gallen in the title role of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He played the role of Cousin Kevin in a Dutch tour of WHO'S TOMMY. He also played the Magician in TABALUGA & LILLI, Darryl van Horne in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, Whizzer in FALSETTOS (EEA), Jon in the DSE of TICK, TICK... BOOM!, Brian Carr in ROCKVILLE (Amstetten, Munich), Hedwig in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at the MiR (Gelsenkirchen), Lucheni in ELISABETH (Essen) and Frederick Trumper in CHESS (Bielefeld). In 2004, he followed the call of Brian May and Roger Taylor and took to the stage as Galileo in the Queen musical WE WILL ROCK YOU until 2011. Udo Lindenberg brought him to Berlin and Hamburg for HINTERM HORIZONT. In Oberhausen, Alex played Falco in BAT OUT OF HELL. In Vienna, he was most recently seen in the Raimund Theater as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
Isabella
Katharina Gorgi discovered her love of music at the age of five while learning to play the violin. In 2004, the native of Vienna entered the world of musical theatre with the roles of Brigitte and Louise in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Liesl in EIN WALZERTRAUM at the Volksoper Vienna. After graduating from the Music High School in Vienna, she went on to study violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) from 2013 and musical theatre at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK) from 2014, graduating with distinction in 2018. During her training, Katharina could be seen, among other things, as Urleen in FOOTLOOSE (Musical Sommer Amstetten), as Wild Piglet in GRIMM! at Theater der Jugend and in the world premiere of I AM FROM AUSTRIA (ensemble and cover Emma Carter) at Raimund Theater. She then played Sophie in MAMMA MIA! in the Stage Entertainment touring production and at the Theater des Westens Berlin, Rizzo in GREASE at the Musical Sommer Amstetten and Soulgirl in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Raimund Theater. In 2023, she received the Austrian Music Theatre Award for best newcomer for the title role in ROXY UND IHR WUNDERTEAM. Katharina is currently studying music therapy at the MDW and psychomotor skills at the University of Vienna.
Horst
Andreas Lichtenberger completed his training in the acting department of the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart and performed for seven seasons at the Schauspielhaus of the Stuttgart State Theatre. He made his musical debut in the German-language premiere of 42ND STREET in 2003. This was followed by engagements as Sam and Bill in MAMMA MIA!, Kerchak in Disney's TARZAN, THE MAN FROM LA MANCHA, Edna in HAIRSPRAY, Albin/Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, as Shrek in the musical of the same name, Long John Silver in the world premiere of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, Tevje in FIDELITY and as Jedermann in the world premiere of JEDERMANN – DIE ROCKOPER. He made his Austrian debut as Axel in ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK at the Raimund Theater in Vienna and has also appeared on stage as Petruchio in KISS ME, KATE at the Vienna Volksoper and as Don Camillo in DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE at the Ronacher. He could be seen as the Wizard of Oz in the new production of WICKED in Hamburg. Most recently, he played the role of Archdeacon Frollo in Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at the Ronacher.
Markus
Franz Frickel studied acting and singing at the University of Music and Performing Arts in his hometown of Graz and already performed at the local theatre and opera house during his studies. His first engagements took him to the Burgtheater in Vienna, the Salzburg Festival and the Städtische Bühnen in Münster. His important roles in musical theatre include Riff in WEST SIDE STORY, Ernst Ludwig in CABARET, Conrad Ferdinand Meyer in HEIDI 2, Joe/Josephine and Jerry/Daphne in SUGAR – MANCHE MÖGEN' S HEISS, Professor Abronsius and Chagal in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, Sam, Harry and Bill in MAMMA MIA! and Pope Leo X in the world premiere of LUTHER – REBELL GOTTES. From 2017-2019 he could be seen at the Raimund Theater in the world premiere of I AM FROM AUSTRIA, among others as Wolfgang Edler and Rainer Berger. From 2021-2023 he appeared on stage at the Zurich Opera, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele in Stefan Huber's production of DIE RACHE DER FLEDERMAUS as prison director Frank, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele. Most recently, he could be seen as King Siegfried in ASCHENPUTTEL at the Brothers Grimm Festival in Hanau. Franz Frickel now returns to Vienna in the role of Markus in ROCK ME AMADEUS – THE FALCO MUSICAL.
Maria
Tania Golden, born in Sydney, Australia, lives and works in Vienna. She trained as an actress, singer, director and cultural manager in Vienna, Cologne and Los Angeles. Golden has over 30 years of stage experience as an actress and singer in independent productions, medium-sized stages (including Drachengasse, Schauspielhaus Vienna) and in large houses, including Theater in der Josefstadt, Land estheater Salzburg (Festival), Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (MOZART!, MARY POPPINS), Theater der Jugend, Volksoper (GYPSY), MusikTheater an der Wien (LA PÉRICHOLE), guest performances and engagements in Europe and Australia. Occasional film appearances, e.g. in ‘Murer – Anatomie eines Prozesses’ by Christian Frosch. Has been working as a director since 2001 (Rabenhof), directing video clips, concerts and readings, including the Fried evening ‘Es ist was es ist’ with Shlomit Butbul, ‘Oktaven des L of Light’ with the Ensemble Wiener Collage at the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna, theatre directing at the Kosmos Theater Vienna and the 2022 Sommerspiele Melk (GLORY DAYS), WerkXPetersplatz (THE POWER OF THE FUCKING RAINBOW). She has been teaching at the Krauss Acting School since 2007, where she lectures on ensemble work, music drama and role study, and coaches young directors.
Billy
Simon Stockinger, born in Linz, completed his training at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna in 2017. Since then, he has played Boris in CHILDREN OF THE SUN at the Armen Theater in Vienna, Chantal in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Wiener Kammerspiele, as well as Hamlet in CINDERELLA PASST WAS NICHT and Pauli in MRS ZUCKER WANTS WORLD DOMINATION at Theater der Jugend. At the Wiener Volksoper he could be seen in GYPSY, CAROUSEL, THE WIZARD OF OZ and at the Staatstheater Nürnberg in BALL IM SAVOY. He also played Louis in the world premiere of DIE MÄDCHEN VON OOSTENDE at the Theatercouch Wien, Willard in FOOTLOOSE at the Chemnitz Theatre and at the Musical Sommer Amstetten, Franz in ROCK OF AGES and Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Furthermore, he could be seen as Admiral in BERLIN, BERLIN at the Admiralspalast Berlin and most recently as Claude in HAIR at the Salzburg State Theatre.
Hansi
Born in Vienna, Martin completed his musical training at the Performing Academy in 2017. His first summer engagement took him to the Felsenbühne Staatz, where he appeared as Bedwyr in ARTUS – EXCALIBUR. He also appeared at the Staatstheater Darmstadt in EVITA and as Lyle in FOOTLOOSE. At the Musicalsommer Winzendorf, he was part of the ensemble in ZORRO. Martin also played one of the leading roles in the four-person play EDGES by the composer duo Pasek and Paul at the Theater 82er-Haus. In the 2018/19 season, he made his debut at the Graz Opera in the role of Gremio in KISS ME, KATE. In Munich and Hameln, he could be seen in the Spotlight Musical THE MEDIC. Martin also appeared as Gustav in CHARLEY'S AUNT on the Tschauner stage. Since his debut at the Volksoper Wien in CABARET in September 2019, he has appeared in various productions as an ensemble member, including INTO THE WOODS (Rapunzels Prinz), DIE DUBARRY (Soubise/Lebell), LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (Chantal), ROXY AND HER WONDER TEAM (Laczi Molnár), ANATEVKA (Fedja), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Crow, Nico, Ensemble) and ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD (Neptune/First Judge).
Kleiner Hans
Valentin was born in Vienna in 2012. He discovered his love for musicals and the stage while still in kindergarten. In his free time, Valentin plays tennis in a club. He also sings in the Vienna Children's Choir and has been playing the piano since the 2nd grade. He can also be seen in various television programmes (including ‘Okidoki’).
Kleiner Hans
Louis was born in Graz in 2011 and spent every day on the road with the flock of sheep belonging to his travelling shepherd parents. From an early age, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He plays the leading role in the music theatre piece PURGIS TRAUM. He is deepening his knowledge at Superar and at the Gymnasium am Augarten.
Kleiner Hans
Vitus was born in Munich in 2013 and has been living in Austria for three years. He is an enthusiastic choir singer and plays the trombone. Whether it's at the opera house or the school theatre, Vitus loves being on stage and entertaining the audience. He keeps fit with triathlons, climbing and skateboarding.
Kleiner Hans
Konstantin is twelve years old and attends a bilingual secondary school. Since the age of four, he has regularly performed on stage and in front of the camera with great enthusiasm: as an actor, singer and also as a trombonist. In his free time, Konstantin loves to play football for SV St. Andrä-Wördern – as top scorer!
Kleiner Billy
Steven Ablog was born in 2015 and is an Austrian native with Filipino descent. At the age of two, after watching various musicals and Disney animated films, including ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’, he developed an interest in the musical genre.
Kleiner Billy
Matteo Enzo is 10 years old and attends secondary school. He discovered his passion for singing during the last five years while taking guitar lessons. Since last year, he has been honing his vocal talents in singing lessons. The stage holds a strong fascination for him and performing gives him great joy.
Kleiner Billy
Matteo is 10 years old and attends the 4th grade of an international school. He has been enthusiastic about singing since an early age and has been a choirboy at the Vienna State Opera since he was 7 years old, performing in numerous opera productions and concerts. In addition to singing and playing the violin, he is also an enthusiastic sailor.
Kleiner Billy
Niklas is in the 2nd grade of high school. Music has been part of his life since he was a child, he is learning piano and clarinet. His great passions are singing, dancing and theatre. Niklas has already sung as a child in the VBW musical ELISABETH. He is currently also performing in DIE JAGDGESELLSCHAFT at the Akademietheater.
Ensemble / Cover Hans
Clemens Otto Bauer was born in Graz. He completed his studies at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the summer of 2020. In Austria, he could be seen on the Felsenbühne Staatz as Feuilly in LES MISÉRABLES and as Albert Mondego in Frank Wildhorn's THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO. His first engagement after graduating took him to the permanent musical company at the Theater für Niedersachsen, where he played Charlie Price and Harry in KINKY BOOTS, Sir Lancelot in MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT, the title role in the musical PUMUCKL, and Tunny in Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT during the 2020-2022 seasons. Most recently, he could be seen at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien as Ben in REBECCA, as well as Pepper in MAMMA MIA! at the Seefestspiele Mörbisch.
Ensemble / Cover Isabella
Anna Carina Buchegger completed her training at the Performing Academy in Vienna. After passing her stage maturity exam, she played Mizzi Zimmermann in GUSTAV KLIMT – THE MUSICAL at the Künstlerhaus in Vienna. This was followed by engagements at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien as Gabby and cover Margot in NATÜRLICH BLOND, Meg Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Furthermore, she appeared in DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE both in the premiere at the Theater St. Gallen and at the Ronacher as Swing and Cover Gina, as well as in I AM FROM AUSTRIA in the ensemble and as Cover Emma Carter. She has played, among other roles, Flashdance in Amstetten, Max and cover Teen Fiona in SHREK – THE MUSICAL on the Mehr! Entertainment Tour and Lily Hilton in ANNIE at the Salzburg State Theatre. Most recently, she could be seen as Rumpelteazer in CATS.
Ensemble
Barbara Castka was born in Vienna and, after graduating from the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera, completed her musical training at the Performing Academy. She gained her first stage experience in 2014 as Morticia in RIGOR MORTIS at the Theater Akzent, as well as in the revue DURCHWURSTELN ODER DURCHWURSCHTELN at the Kabarett Simpl. In her previous engagements, she took on various roles such as Luisa Vampa in THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO at the Felsenbühne Staatz and Gabrielle in CAN-CAN at the Stadttheater Baden, where she also played JEKYLL & HYDE. This was followed by the show FRED ASTAIRE – EIN LEBEN FÜR DEN TANZ at the Freie Bühne Wieden. In 2019, she took on the role of Demeter in CATS at the Ronacher. She has already appeared at the Raimund Theater in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, I AM FROM AUSTRIA and as cover Ellen in MISS SAIGON. Most recently, she played the role of Mary Delgado in JERSEY BOYS at the Musical Sommer Amstetten.
Ensemble
Born in Wolverhampton, England, Anneka Dacres began her dance training at the age of five. She graduated with honours from the Doreen Bird College in London with a degree in dance and performance. She made her musical debut in Stuttgart in ROCKY – DAS MUSICAL as Shirley, one of the Apollo Girls. In HAIRSPRAY at the Braunschweig State Theatre, the Dortmund Theatre and the Nuremberg State Theatre, she gave a convincing performance as Cindy Watkins, one of the Dynamite Girls. She toured German-speaking countries in FALCO – THE MUSICAL and MAMMA MIA!. At the Ronacher she played Cassandra in CATS and covered Demeter and Bombalurina. She was part of the tribe in the musical version of HAIR at the Felsenreitschule in Salzburg and toured South Korea as Demeter in CATS. She also appeared in MAMMA MIA! at the Seefestspiele Mörbisch. Her new children's book, CARLA CACAO – MORE THAN CHOCOLATE, is available from October.
Ensemble
Taylor Davis is originally from Southampton in England and studied musical theatre in Guildford for three years. After playing various small roles in London, Tayler's career breakthrough came when he was cast as one of Lola's Angels in the original German cast of KINKY BOOTS – THE MUSICAL. After a successful run at the Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, Tayler was asked to play the same role in America, in the opening cast aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's ‘Encore’. In 2020, during the global lockdown, Tayler took time off from the stage to found his own fitness coaching company, ‘Fit mit Tay’. 2024 is the first year that Tayler is returning to musical theatre. He last appeared in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Eutin Festival and will be on stage at the Ronacher for the first time with ROCK ME AMADEUS.
Ensemble
Klaudia Dodes was born in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. She successfully completed her artistic training as a stage actress in Hamburg in 2016. She made her debut as a singer on the Royal Caribbean International in the USA. She then released her first songs under the stage name DiA DODA. She has played various roles as a musical performer, including Alice in ELDORADO, Gina in ORIENT EXPRESS, the Spirits in the ensemble of the world premiere of MATTERHORN at the Theater St. Gallen, and, in 2022, Frau Furrer in the ensemble of the award-winning best Swiss musical OH LÄCK DU MIR at Theater 11 in Zurich. She is the lead singer of the Swiss funk band domesticfuel, which released its first EP in 2023 and provided the voice of Tobi in the audiobook ‘Pönkergüggel Tom’. Her German-language single will be released in 2024.
Ensemble
Born in Styria, he trained at the Performing Academy in Vienna. Disney's CAMP ROCK, SEUSSICAL, SIE SPIELEN UNSER LIED/Stockerau. This was followed by the title role in Disney's ALADDIN JR./Wiener Stadthalle, Paul in A CHORUS LINE/Stockerau, HELLO, DOLLY!/Bad Ischl, THE WIZ/Linz and Munich as well as IO SENZA TE/Zurich. THE WHO'S TOMMY/Linz, WUNDER VON BERN/TV, Gärtnerplatztheater Munich and Darmstadt: HAIR, DER MEDICUS/Fulda, Theater an der Elbe ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK/Hamburg. I AM FROM AUSTRIA at the Raimund Theater, MAMMA MIA! as Eddie. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN in Baden, PRETTY WOMAN – THE MUSICAL in Hamburg, GOETHE! in Bad Hersfeld, MISS SAIGON in the Raimund Theater, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES in Stuttgart, CABARET in Hamburg, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in the Raimund Theater. TV: DANCING STARS, EUROVISION, WENN DIE MUSI SPIELT etc.
Ensemble / Cover Isabella
The Austrian completed her musical studies with distinction and during that time could already be seen as Aldonza in THE MAN FROM LA MANCHA, Nadja in the Austrian premiere of LEBEN OHNE CHRIS and as Lola in DOLCE VITA. At the Luisenburg Festival she played, among other roles, Cassandra in CATS, CABARET, Rena in ZEITELMOOS and most recently Mary Robert in SISTER ACT. In 2016, Sarah was able to inspire audiences throughout Europe as Toralei Stripe at the world premiere of MONSTER HIGH LIVE. Other productions in her career have included the premiere of the musical DAS ZAUBERSCHLOSS, HAIRSPRAY, DAS DSCHUNGELBUCH, HAIR and FLASHDANCE. In the German-language premiere of BAT OUT OF HELL at the Metronom Theater Oberhausen, she took on the leading female role of Raven and was most recently Sandy Cheeks in SPONGEBOB, Sally Bowles in CABARET and Jean MacLaren in BRIGADOON.
Ensemble / Cover Markus
Peter completed his stage training at the Konservatorium Wien University of Music and Performing Arts (MUK) and at the Beck Center of the Arts in Cleveland. The native of Vienna has a master's degree in cultural mediation, is a director and has won awards as a Viennese song interpreter. In straight theatre, he has played, among others, Konstantin in DIE MÖWE, Max in ZUR SCHÖNEN AUSSICHT and Yvan in KUNST. Other leading roles in musical theatre include: Leopold in WEISSES RÖSSL, Armand in DER GRAF VON LUXEMBURG, Baron Kempten in SISSY, Njegus in DIE LUSTIGE WITWE, Gustl in LAND DES LÄCHELNS, Alfred in DIE FLEDERMAUS. At the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, he could be seen in the concerts JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and LOVE NEVER DIES as well as in the musicals SISTER ACT, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE VISIT, EVITA and THE BODYGUARD at the Ronacher. At the Raimund Theater, he played in the world premiere of SCHIKANEDER and as Harry in MAMMA MIA!.
Ensemble / Cover Alter Ego
Charles Kreische completed his training at the Joop van den Ende Academy in Hamburg; during that time, he was hired to play Herbert for the 20th anniversary of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES at the Ronacher. In Vienna, he also appeared as Annas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, after which he toured Germany as Billy Kostecki in DIRTY DANCING. In Munich, he appeared as Lucien in DIE FABELHAFTE WELT DER AMÉLIE before returning to Oberhausen to play Herbert in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES. Another engagement was supposed to take him to ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, but the production had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. In 2022, Charles could be seen as Sam Wheat in the touring production of GHOST, followed by a stint at the Ronacher in Vienna where he played Quasimodo in Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, among other roles. Most recently, Charles played the role of Frankie Valli in the German-language premiere of JERSEY BOYS at the Amstetten Musical Summer.
Ensemble / Cover Billy
After years of success as a professional youth ballroom dancer, Jonathan completed his musical studies at the Performing Academy in Vienna. Since then, he has appeared on numerous stages in German-speaking countries. Among others, he performed in ON YOUR FEET and GREASE at the Amstetten Musical Summer, in the play DER SCHÜLER GERBER at the Wachaufestspiele and later at the Theater Center Forum Vienna in the role of Weinberg, as well as in SPRING AWAKENING at the Theater Akzent in one Most recently, the musical WÜSTENBLUME based on the bestseller by Waris Dirie at the Theater St. Gallen and DER FEUERVOGEL/ CARMINA BURANA by Igor Stravinsky and Carl Orff at the Stadttheater Klagenfurt, where Jonathan performed as a dance soloist.
Ensemble
Paula completed her training at the Performing Academy in Vienna. At a young age, she won numerous championship titles at international dance championships and soon received leading roles in youth musicals at the Performing Center Austria and Dschungel Wien. This was followed by a wide range of dance engagements in Austria and abroad. She gained further stage experience in the musicals HEIDI and SPRING AWAKENING in Vienna. Immediately after completing her musical training in 2022, she was cast in the role of Patty Simcox in GREASE at the Amstetten Musical Summer in the same year. This was seamlessly followed by an invitation to Hamburg for MAMMA MIA!, where Paula was able to convince both as part of the ensemble and as a cover for Sophie for a year. For Paula, ‘returning’ to Vienna for ROCK ME AMADEUS means a new highlight in her career, and she is very happy to be part of this premiere!
Ensemble / Cover Horst / Cover Markus
Born in Karlsruhe, he began his musical training at an early age. He gained his first stage experience in LES MISÉRABLES, SWEENEY TODD and CHICAGO, among others, as Mary Sunshine, and in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES as Alfred, Professor Abronsius and Herbert. This was followed by the double role of emcee/James in THE 3 MUSKETEERS and Wizard and Dr Dillamond in WICKED – THE WIZARDS OF OZ. He also played Pharaoh Ramses II in MOSES and the devil in LUTHER – REBELL WIDER WILLEN. At the VBW, he appeared as Fridolin Weber in MOZART! and as Benedikt and Marinelli in SCHIKANEDER. In Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in Stuttgart, he took on the role of Clopin. At the Domstufen-Festspiele in Erfurt, he played the arch-conservative Abbot Abbone in THE NAME OF THE ROSE. For more than 10 years now, Stefan has been playing the office messenger in the very successful play piece SECRETARIES at the Kiel Opera.
Ensemble
Fabian Lukas Raup completed his studies at the Bavarian Theatre Academy August Everding in Munich. Born in Carinthia, he has already appeared in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, a guest production of the Salzburg State Theatre, as an underling in VIER HOCHZEITEN UND EIN MUSICAL and as the wolf/Rapunzel's prince in INTO THE WOODS in the Silver Hall of the Deutsches Theater. In 2016, he appeared on stage at the Luisenburg Festival in CATS and BLUTHOCHZEIT. In 2017/18, he was a member of the ensemble in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES at the Ronacher and covered the role of the Black Vampire. In 2018/19, he was an ensemble member in I AM FROM AUSTRIA at the Raimund Theater. From 2021 to 2023, he appeared in several plays at the Volksoper Vienna, including in ROXY AND HER WONDERTEAM, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, LADY IN THE DARK and CABARET. In 2022, he appeared at the Graz Opera in GUYS & DOLLS and most recently at the Amstetten Musical Summer as Norm Waxman in the German-language premiere of JERSEY BOYS.
Ensemble
Irish-born Kevin O'Dwyer trained as a musical theatre performer at the Laine Theatre Arts College in London. This was followed by engagements in German-speaking countries in DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and WEST SIDE STORY. He finally made his debut on the London WEST END with the role of Bobby C. in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. This was followed by engagements as dance captain and swing on the UK tour of GREASE, and later he took on the role of associate director of GREASE in London's WEST END. Furthermore, his presence in television and film was not neglected: O'Dwyer appeared as a dancer at the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST in 2018, as well as in the DISNEY musical comedy DISENTCHANTED. He has also made guest appearances on LOOSE WOMEN and at the OLIVIER AWARDS 2023. Most recently, he appeared on stage in WE WILL ROCK YOU at the Amstetten Musical Summer.
Ensemble
Maria Pambori comes from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. She comes from a family of dancers and discovered her love of dance at the age of 4. At the age of 17, she moved to England and began her training at the SLP College of Performing Arts, which she completed in 2019. At the end of her training, she was cast as a swing/cover fortune teller in Disney's ALADDIN at the Apollo Theater. She then played in the ensemble in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Raimund Theater in Vienna and Francine in JERSEY BOYS at the Musical Sommer Amstetten. In the 2023/24 season, she will guest as Anita in WEST SIDE STORY at the Kiel Opera. Most recently, she was on tour with ROCK OF AGES as Angel Destiny.
Ensemble / Cover Hans
Born in 1998 and trained on the cello since childhood, he began his studies in musical entertainment theatre at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna in 2019 and graduated in 2023. Even before and during his studies, engagements took him to various theatres, including Vienna, Berlin and Frankfurt/Main. His previous repertoire includes MY FAIR LADY, DER MANN VON LA MANCHA and CLUE - DAS MUSICAL. Most recently, he played the title role in the Broadway musical PIPPIN at the muk.theatre in Vienna. ROCK ME AMADEUS - DAS FALCO MUSICAL is his debut at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien.
Ensemble / Cover Alter Ego
Born in the Netherlands, he graduated as a performer from the Fontys Dance Academy in Tilburg and as a singing teacher at the Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen. During his musical theatre studies, he performed in GREASE (Doody) and FOOTLOOSE (Chuck Cranston). In the Netherlands, he was part of the original cast of MAMMA MIA! and toured with CRAZY FOR YOU (cover Bobby Child), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (cover Annas), CATS (Mungojerrie) and CINDERELLA (cover Prince Christian, cover Lionel). He was part of the original German cast for Disney's TARZAN (cover Tarzan) and Disney's ALADDIN (Razoul, cover Dschinni, cover Babkak), performed in GHOST (cover Willie Lopez), worked as a soloist for AIDA Cruises, at the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin in ARISE (Cameron, cover Zeit) and in concert performances of THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Jamie), ASSASSINS (John Wilkes Booth) and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Man 2).
Ensemble
Anna Zagler completed her musical theatre training at the Performing Academy in Vienna in 2021. After graduating, she was hired for the permanent ensemble of Sipario in Seestadt. At the beginning of 2022, she played the role of Lucy in DRACULA, Crystal in DER KLEINE HORRORLADEN and a soul girl in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Meanwhile, she was also seen as Maid Marian in ROBIN HOOD in a touring production. This was followed by her leading role debut in summer 2022: she played the role of Juliet in a new version of ROMEO & JULIA at Musicalsommer Winzendorf. In autumn, she then appeared as the vampire bride and cover Mina in DRACULA (Deutsches Theater München). At the beginning of 2023 she went on tour with FACK JU GÖHTE as Swing, Cover Laura, Cover Zeynep and Cover Gerster. At Easter, she was a member of the ensemble in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Raimund Theatre. In summer 2023, she can be seen on stage in the ensemble of MAMMA MIA! at the Seefestspiele in Mörbisch.
Ensemble
The Carinthian Sarah Zippusch already appeared as a singer/dancer at the Eurovision Song Contest during her studies, sang the voice of Eva for the musical JUGEND OHNE GOTT and played Gaby in PAPA SCHLÄFT NOCH? She has also appeared in ZORRO as Inez, in DANTON'S DEATH (Vienna State Opera), in DIE 3 MUSKETIERE as Queen Anna, in GRAF DRACULA - SEIN BRUDER as Countess Dracula, in KISS ME KATE (Staatstheater Darmstadt) as Hattie, as Carmen (premiere cast) and Katharina in CARMEN - DAS MUSICAL, in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR as Soulgirl (Theater St. Gallen), in the musical VICTOR/VICTORIA (Staatstheater Mainz), as Mina in DRACULA, as Klärchen in the operetta IM WEISSEN RÖSSL, as the vampire bride in DRACULA (Deutsches Theater München) and as Eva Peron in EVITA. Last summer she appeared in MAMMA MIA (Seefestspiele Mörbisch) and was most recently part of the world premiere of DIE KÖNIGINNEN at the Landestheater Linz. Sarah is also working on her own music alongside her work on stage.
Swing
Sophie Aigner, born in Austria, studied at the MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she completed her training in Professional Stage Dance. After graduating, Sophie worked for the American company Carnival Cruise Lines for several years and travelled the world as a dancer/singer, as well as on the European tour BEST OF MUSICAL STARNIGHTS. Sophie then lived in London, where she took part in various acting and dance projects. Most recently, she appeared on stage as Swing in TANZ DER VAMPIRE at the Palladium Theatre in Stuttgart.
Swing
Born in Styria and living in Burgenland, she received lessons in singing, music theory and piano during her school years at Wimmer Gymnasium Oberschützen. During this time, she also gained her first stage experience as Little Red Riding Hood in the musical GRIMM, performed as a singer at weddings and christenings and took part in numerous dance championships as a member of the ‘Musical & Stage Dance Company Burgenland’. It was here that she discovered her fascination for musicals. As a result, she completed her training as a musical theatre actress at the Performing Academy in Vienna, graduating in 2024. At the same time, she took part in numerous productions, including the dance ensemble of DER FEUERVOGEL / CARMINA BURANA at the Stadttheater Klagenfurt and MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES at the Vienna Chamber Opera. ROCK ME AMADEUS marks her first appearance on the stage of the Ronacher.
Swing / Cover Hansi
Born in Switzerland, he completed his training as a musical theatre actor at the Joop van den Ende Academy in Hamburg in 2016. He has already appeared in the title role in MR. MARMELADE, as Mackie McPherson and Dr Watson in DER MANN, DER SHERLOCK HOLMES WAR as well as in LUCKY STIFF, GODSPELL and EDGES. He also trained in modern dance at workshops in Switzerland with Jonathan Huor. This was followed by engagements as Lucan in ARTUS - EXCALIBUR and as Joey in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, as Cover Bert and Cover Robertson Ay in MARY POPPINS and as the White Vampire on the German tour of TANZ DER VAMPIRE. As Mungojerrie and cover Rum Tum Tugger in CATS and as part of the ensemble in Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, he has already appeared on stage at the Ronacher several times.
Swing / Cover Billy / Cover Hansi
Born in Burgenland, he made his stage debut at the Volksoper as Friedrich von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This was followed by training at the Joop van den Ende Academy. He then appeared as the White Vampire and Nightmare Soli in DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES. At the VBW, he appeared in ELISABETH, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, MAMMA MIA! and I AM FROM AUSTRIA, among others. He was seen as Cagelle in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Kammerspiele der Josefstadt. This was followed by FLASHDANCE, ROCK OF AGES and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in Amstetten. He made his debut in WEST SIDE STORY in Nuremberg as Baby John and in Mörbisch as Snowboy. In Munich, he was engaged in DER SCHUH DES MANITU as Jeffrey/ Listiger Lurch.2022 Stefan appeared in TI AMO 4 as Klein-Toni at the Metropol, as Chantal in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Volksoper and in GUYS & DOLLS at the Graz Opera. Most recently he was on stage in REBECCA at the Raimund Theater.
Swing
Born in Lower Austria, he completed his training as a musical theatre actor at the Performing Academy in Vienna. He has already appeared on stage in numerous productions, such as at Staatstheater Mainz as Gregor in VICTOR/VICTORIA, at Theater Magdeburg in MY FAIR LADY and at Deutsches Theater München in DRACULA as Cover Jack and Quincey. During the tour of FLASHDANCE Johannes was engaged as Swing / Cover Jimmy and as Cover Joe. In Vienna, Johannes was seen in SPRING AWAKENING in the roles of Ernst Robel and Reinhold. Most recently, he was part of the ensemble in FRANKENSTEIN JUNIOR at the Bonn Opera and played the leading role of Emil in EMIL UND DIE DETEKTIVE at the guest performances in Burgenland. In summer 2024, he will be seen for the first time in EVITA at the Felsenbühne Staatz. He is now making his debut at the Ronacher in ROCK ME AMADEUS.
Swing / Dance Captain
Georg Prohazka received his training in his hometown of Vienna. This was followed by engagements in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, MAMMA MIA! and ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, as Bobby in A CHORUS LINE, Ernst Klimt in GUSTAV KLIMT - DAS MUSICAL, Bobinet in PARISER LEBEN, Riff in WEST SIDE STORY, Hugo in ASPECTS OF LOVE and Count Paris in ROMEO & JULIA. Georg Prohazka was a member of the ensemble and assistant dance captain in LEGALLY BLONDE at the Ronacher, as well as dance captain in LIEBE STIRBT NIE in Hamburg and I AM FROM AUSTRIA at the Raimund Theatre. At the Volksoper Vienna, he appeared as the Scarecrow and the Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ, as Piccolo in CABARET and as Hannah in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Most recently he was engaged at the Raimund Theatre as Swing and Assistant Dance Captain in REBECCA.
Swing / Assistant Dance Captain
After studying at the Arts Educational Schools in London, Jo Lucy Rackham toured the UK as Gertie Cummings in OKLAHOMA! In 2010 she toured as Electra and Rumpelteazer and as Dance Captain with CATS. On her return to the UK, she performed at Kilworth House Theatre in SOUTH PACIFIC and at a gala concert to mark Stephen Sondheim's 85th birthday at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. In 2019, she took part in the memorial concert for Gillian Lynne, the original choreographer of CATS. This was followed by THE WIZARD OF OZ, the international tour and the UK tour of MARY POPPINS as well as MARY POPPINS and CATS at the Ronacher. She was engaged as Swing and Assistant Dance Captain in Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at the Ronacher.
Swing / Cover Maria
Engagements have taken the Carinthian-born actress to the Stadttheater Klagenfurt (Cassie/Sheila in A CHORUS LINE, Mazeppa in GYPSY), on tour through D/AUT/CH (Jan in GREASE, ABSOLUT UWE! - Uwe Kröger) and to the Stadttheater Bern (Ensemble/Dance Captain in CABARET). On the German-language tour of the musical MAMMA MIA! (Stage Entertainment), she embodied Tanja as a cover. Bettina Schurek has appeared in numerous productions at the Volksoper Vienna, including THE WIZARD OF OZ and DIE SPINNEN, DIE RÖMER!. In 2020, she appeared for the first time at Graz Opera in GUYS & DOLLS. She founded her own band ‘Betty & Das Blumenkartell’ in 2022 and was a member of the Linz musical ensemble in the 2022/23 season in plays such as ANASTASIA, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Sheryl Ann), NATASCHA, PIERRE UND DER GROSSE KOMET VON 1812 (DienerIn) and FUN HOME (Joan).
Maria alternierend
Born in Haïfa (Israel), grew up in Vienna. Since graduating ‘Magna cum Laude/ Honours’ from the Conservatory of the City of Vienna (MUK), she has worked in many national and international productions in the fields of music, theatre and film. She has released four CDs and ran the internationally renowned cultural centre L'Inouï Café-Concert Café-Théâtre in Luxembourg for 14 years. She has played Dolly, Dulcinea, Sally, Rösslwirtin, Jente, Rose Brice and has been engaged at the Graz Opera House, Volkstheater Vienna, Theater der Jugend Vienna, Stadttheater Baden, Kabarett Simpl, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, Grand Théatre Luxembourg. Acting and vocal training, release/blocking training in New York and Arizona 2017-2019. Shlomit is a Complete Vocal Technique Vocal Coach/Master 2020 in Copenhagen, Release Coach and lecturer for music drama at the Krauss Vienna Drama School.
Walk-In Cover Horst
Kai Peterson was born in Hanover and has lived and worked in numerous countries. At Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, he has appeared in FREUDIANA, ROCKY HORROR SHOW, ELISABETH, ROMEO & JULIA, REBECCA, RUDOLF - AFFAIRE MAYERLING, ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, DER BESUCH DER ALTEN DAME, MAMMA MIA! and DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE. He has also appeared in DIE BERNAUERIN, KOCHEN MIT ELVIS and DIE ZOOGESCHICHTE, among others. In film and TV he works as an actor as well as a commercial and dubbing actor. He can be heard as a singer on numerous musical CD productions, including ‘Freudiana’ and ‘The Best of Musicals’. He has recorded three solo albums (‘Go With The Flow Of Time’, ‘A Little Bit Of Hope’, ‘Mastermind’), sung choir (e.g. Scorpions, V. S. O. P) and a cappella (Main Street, Montezuma's Revenge) and is a lyricist, composer, arranger and producer.
Book, Creative development
He is the inventor, co-author and co-director of the successful musical ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, which was created in close collaboration with Udo Jürgens (Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, Tokyo, Munich, Zurich, Stuttgart, Linz, Salzburg, Bregenz, Oberhausen, Thun and as a cinema film adaptation) and co-author of I AM FROM AUSTRIA, the musical with hits by Rainhard Fendrich (Vienna, Osaka, Tokyo, TV broadcast). Together with the Broadway star composer and three-time Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz, he wrote the musical SCHIKANEDER, which celebrated its premiere in Vienna in a production by legendary director Sir Trevor Nunn (‘THE Musical Of The Year’ - The Stage Magazine, London). He is also the author and creative developer of the musical THE VISIT (Thun, Vienna, Tecklenburg, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya) and wrote the musical comedy WEEKEND AND SUNSHINE (Stuttgart, Lucerne, among others), as well as new book versions of THE THREE FROM THE PETROL STATION (Berlin, Vienna, among others), BEAUTIFUL HELENA and FRAU LUNA. He was also the creative developer of the successful Swiss musical production DÄLLEBACH KARI (Thun, Zurich, Bern, awarded as ‘Best Swiss Musical’). He developed two musical TV concerts for the ORF series WIR SPIELEN FÜR ÖSTERREICH and also wrote the concepts for DIE GROSSE RAIMUND THEATER-ERÖFFNUNGSGALA and DAS GROSSE VBW-TV-KONZERT, which he also hosted himself. He also developed his own musical talk show, TALK TIME, which ran for 12 episodes and was broadcast on all of the VBW's social media channels and on ORF III. He is currently working on several new VBW musicals.
DIRECTOR
From 2011 to 2017, Andreas Gergen was the Director of Opera for the Salzburger Landestheater. His most important work includes directing I AM FROM AUSTRIA, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE and THE VISIT for the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, CARMEN at the Felsenreitschule Salzburg festival, and the operetta VIKTORIA UND IHR HUSAR for the Seefestspiele Mörbisch festival (awarded the 2016 Operetta Prize by German radio station BR-Klassik).
He has staged over 100 operas, operettas and musicals, including THE MAGIC FLUTE, HANSEL AND GRETEL and DIE SCHÖNE HELENA (Staatstheater Saarbrücken), MADAME BUTTERFLY, LA TRAVIATA and LA BOHÈME (Haus für Mozart, Salzburg), THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO (premiere, Theater St. Gallen), JEKYLL & HYDE and WEST SIDE STORY (Theater Magdeburg), KISS ME KATE, FRAU LUNA, DIE FLEDERMAUS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, GREEK, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, JONNY SPIELT AUF, FIDELIO, IL MONDO DELLA LUNA, SPAMALOT (Salzburg Landestheater), DÄLLEBACH KARI and THE VISIT (both premieres, Thuner Seespiele festival), DIE FLEDERMAUS (Nice Opera), HAIRSPRAY (Munich, Merzig, Tecklenburg), SUNSET BOULEVARD, CATS and REBECCA (Freilichtspiele Tecklenburg), the German-language premieres of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL (Musik und Theater Saar) and SHREK - THE MUSICAL (Capitol Theater Düsseldorf), as well as the world premiere of the neighborhood musical ZZAUN! (Staatsoperette Dresden).
As Managing Director and Artistic Director of the Schlossparktheater in Berlin, he staged the European premiere of the Broadway hit PINKELSTADT ("Urinetown - The Musical"), the Kollo operetta WIE EINST IM MAI and DIE DREI VON DER TANKSTELLE by Werner Richard Heymann. He later moved to Stage Entertainment in Hamburg as Artistic Project Manager, where he was involved in developing the musicals DER SCHUH DES MANITU and ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, among others. For Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, he has directed the highly acclaimed semi-staged concerts of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and LOVE NEVER DIES. In Dortmund's Westfalenhalle, he staged LUTHER – PROJEKT DER 1000 STIMMEN by Michael Kunze and Dieter Falk. From 2011 to 2014 he was Chairman of the Board of the Bundeswettbewerb Gesang Berlin.
MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS & SUPERVISION & ORCHESTRATION
Michael Reed studied at RCM, where he was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal. He studied piano with Angus Morrison, and conducting with Harvey Phillips, Vernon Handley and Sir Adrian Boult. Reed was the first conductor for Raymond Gubbay's CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Choral Society, and conducted the original live recordings. Reed has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and has worked with most of the leading British symphony orchestras including the LSO, Royal Liverpool, and Birmingham. He has conducted over twenty West End shows including THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (world premiere), BARNUM, ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, ASPECTS OF LOVE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, MR. CINDERS, and SINGIN‘ IN THE RAIN.
His own compositions include THE VISIT (with Moritz Schneider), GARBO (with Warner Brown and Jim Steinman), WAR IN HEAVEN (with Fay Weldon), ROCK IN A HARD PLACE (with John Theakston), and CHARLEY'S AUNT (with Jon van Eerd). He has composed and orchestrated the scores for four Holiday on Ice productions and "The Beauty of Magic" (Las Vegas). His film, television and radio work includes five Royal Variety shows; the Eurovision Song Contest; three Royal Galas (Prince's Trust); recordings of GUYS AND DOLLS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, BITTER SWEET and THE DANCING YEARS for BBC Radio 2. Reed was orchestrated the dance music for the Blake Edwards film "Victor Victoria" (with Julie Andrews), and was Musical Director for the film version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (DVD); he also conducted and orchestrated the music for "Furia" (music by Brian May).
Recordings: Cast albums, including Noel Coward's "Bitter Sweet," "Ziegfeld" and "The Phantom of the Opera"; "Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber"; Sarah Brightman's album "Surrender"; José Carreras' album "Passion" and the single "Time to Say Goodbye" (Brightman and Andrea Bocelli). During a Covid lockdowns, he recorded the cast album of "Rock in a Hard Place."
Most recently, he has been Musical Supervisor and Arranger for Jim Steinman's DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and BAT OUT OF HELL (worldwide). He also arranged and orchestrated ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK. He directed SUNSET BOULEVARD for the ENO at the London Coliseum with Glenn Close. He orchestrated DER MEDICUS (Fulda festival), for which he jointly won the German Musical Theater prize for Best Orchestration with Roy Moore. He also arranged and orchestrated I AM FROM AUSTRIA (Wien). Michael is currently working on the English version of CHARLEY'S AUNT, a new musical farce based on the play "Charley's Aunt", which he has co-written with Jon van Eerd (with an English translation by Kit Hesketh-Harvey). He also composed the score for BLACK VENUS, a play by James MacManus.
MUSIC, LYRICS, CREATIVE CONSULTANT
As a songwriter and producer, Ferdi Bolland has sold over 67 million copies of his songs and productions worldwide. Ferdi has achieved 150 gold and platinum discs, and won the Dutch Golden Harp Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Ampex Golden Reel Award, and five Dutch export awards. Ferdi Bolland was born on August 5th, 1956 in Port Elisabeth in South Africa. After living in the Netherlands and Germany, his family moved back to South Africa where Ferdi attended English elementary school. Eventually the family moved to The Hague in the Netherlands. At an early age, Ferdi started singing, playing guitar, keyboard, bass and drums, and creating his own songs and music. When he was just 15, Ferdi got his first record deal with EMI and had a string of hits with his brother, performing as Bolland & Bolland. They were also signed as producers with EMI, producing and performing when they were still just teenagers.
In 1981 they set up their own label. Their first project was their album "The Domino Theory" by the Bollands, which included the hit single "You're in the Army Now". The song was a hit in several European countries, and the album was picked up by legendary US label A&M Records. In 1986, British rock band Status Quo covered "You're in the Army Now", which went on to be a huge hit in many countries around the world.
The Bollands started working with Falco in 1985. They wrote and produced numerous smash hits for him, including 'Rock me Amadeus' (USA, UK, GSA number 1 and a worldwide hit), 'Jeanny', 'Vienna Calling', 'Coming Home' (Jeanny Part 2), 'The Sound Of Music', 'Emotional', 'Titanic', and 'Wiener Blut'. They also produced his highly successful album 'Falco 3' and the follow up albums 'Emotional', 'Wiener Blut' & 'Nachtflug'. After Falco's death, they produced the soundtrack for the Falco movie.
Ferdi Bolland has worked with countless international artists, including Falco, Samantha Fox, Amii Stewart, Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Barclay James Harvest, Johnny Logan, Dana International, Roger Chapman, Suzi Quattro, Laid Back, Peter Hoffmann, Herman Brood, Hans & Candy Dulfer, Bloodhound Gang, Miguel Bose, Vicky Laraz, Colin Blunstone, Ici les Enfoirees, Fettes Brot, Kontra K, Sun Diego, Pia Douwes and many more. He is a regular guest on a number of television shows and is a radio DJ. As an art connoisseur, he is a Special Ambassador for Dutch National Art Week. Ferdi Bolland has written the music and lyrics for the hit musicals FALCO MEETS AMADEUS, 3 MUSKETEERS (Stage Entertainment) and FALCO THE MUSICAL. He has composed film scores and television theme songs, including 'Lass dich überraschen' for the Rudi Carell Show and 'Tränen aus Eis' for the series Tatort in Germany.
Ferdi has set up charitable projects for Unicef, Racism Beat It, Spieren voor Spieren and the Meals for the Homeless campaign in France. Ferdi created the Dutch television hit "Twinzz," a talent search featuring identical twins. He also recorded a double platinum album of soccer songs in The Netherlands with TV stars Johan Derksen and Wilfred Genee. Ferdi is currently working with an international team of top professionals on the production ROCK ME AMADEUS - THE FALCO MUSICAL.
In 2022, Ferdi made a successful comeback as a singer in the Netherlands, when he took part in the Dutch TV show 'Beste Zangers' (in Germany 'Sing meinen Song'). With his label, Ferdi Bolland plans to launch promising new artists and projects over the next few years.
Bolland says, "I've got more to do than I ever have before and I love it. I can't wait to make all those new, successful hit songs, launch the careers of artists, and produce musicals and projects in the future."
MUSIC, LYRICS, CREATIVE CONSULTANT
Rob Bolland is an award-winning songwriter and producer. He has sold over 67 million records worldwide. He has written and produced songs for Falco, Status Quo, Samantha Fox, Barclay James Harvest, Candy Dulfer, Hans Dulfer, Roger Chapman, Ian Gillan, Johnny Logan, Colin Blunstone, Dana International, Shaun Cassidy, Dick Dale, Nina Hagen and many others. Rob was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and started composing songs at a young age. He is known for throwing himself into every new project with great passion and dedication. His fascination with films has had a major influence on his writing: he composed ‘In The Army Now’ after seeing Francis Ford Coppola's ‘Apocalypse Now’. ‘In The Army Now’ was conceived by Rob as part of a concept album about the Vietnam War entitled “The Domino Theory”, which was released on the renowned record label A&M. Five years later, the British rock band Status Quo covered “In The Army Now” and their version became a huge hit, reaching number 1 in many countries. There are more than a hundred cover versions of this song, of which Rob is very proud. One of these versions, titled ‘Ici Les Enfoirés’, became a number one hit in France and sold more than a million copies. Falco's ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ was directly inspired by Milos Forman's ‘Amadeus’. ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ was a No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and stayed at the top for three weeks. It was an international phenomenon. Rob wrote the song especially for Falco. The idea for ‘Vienna Calling’ came to Rob while he was watching the Eurovision Song Contest: when the points were awarded, he heard the sentence ‘Hello, Vienna calling’. ‘Vienna Calling’ became a top 20 hit in the US Billboard charts and a top 10 hit in the UK. The song ‘Jeanny’, written for Falco, became one of the most controversial German-language songs of all time. The song remained at number one for 8 weeks after it was officially banned. The song has been covered numerous times; one of the best being the 2010 version by English synth-pop duo Hurts. In 1988, Rob wrote and produced a song for Samantha Fox called ‘Love House’. The song not only became one of the first acid house songs on the charts, but also a European hit. It was also very successful on the US dance charts. He also wrote and produced the song ‘Sexual’ for the artist Goddess, which was released by Atlantic Records in the USA and spent ten weeks on the American Billboard Hot 100. In 2002, Rob wrote original songs for Joop van den Ende's musical 3 MUSKETIERS. One of the songs Rob wrote for the musical was released as a single: ‘Alles’. It reached the top 10 in both Holland and Germany. In Germany, the musical was seen by over 1 million people. Rob's work has been featured in numerous films and TV series, including Netflix's ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Adventureland’, Disney's ‘Bedtime Stories’, ‘Family Guy’ and ‘The Simpsons’. Rob was approached to write two brand new songs for the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien production of ROCK ME AMADEUS – DAS FALCO MUSICAL. He wrote these two new tracks together with co-composer/lyricist Justin Dylan Bolland. Rob is currently working on several projects with new artists and a new musical. He is also working on his first solo album.
MUSIC, Consultant
In the 1970s, after graduating in mechanical engineering, Robert Ponger, a native of Vienna, was involved in numerous successful Austro-Pop studio productions (with artists such as Wolfgang Ambros, Georg Danzer, Wilfried, Waterloo & Robinson, Steinbäcker/later STS, Magic/with Boris Bukowski, to name just a few) as a keyboarder. He also worked as a composer for Peter Alexander and Udo Jürgens. With his group Acid, he won the ‘Show Chance’ in 1970 – at that time Austria's biggest TV and radio pop talent competition. In 1980, the first meeting between Hans Hölzel and Robert Ponger – as Falco's artistic producer from the very beginning – had far-reaching consequences: as composer and arranger, Robert Ponger wrote the world hit ‘Der Kommissar’ for Falco. This marked the beginning of Falco's career as the world's first German-language rapper, who started to stir up the international charts from 1981: With over 7 million copies sold worldwide, the song reached No. 1 in the charts in Germany, France, Japan, Spain and Guatemala, among others; the original version also made it to the top in America (No. 1 in the disco charts). The English cover version by the group After the Fire reached number 5 in the US Top 40. The English version of ‘On the Run’ also conquered the US charts. The artistic collaboration between Falco and Robert Ponger was successfully continued with the LP ‘Einzelhaft’ (the cult album sold over 750,000 copies worldwide). Subsequently, Robert Ponger was successful as a composer, arranger and producer for the following artists: Papermoon (LP ‘Tell me a Poem’/Gold, Platinum), Die Hektiker (LP ‘Endlich’/Gold, Platinum), Rainhard Fendrich (‘Oben ohne’, ‘Es lebe der Sport’/Gold); Edelweiss (‘Raumschiff Edelweiss’/Gold). As a composer and arranger, Robert Ponger then produced Falco's second album Junge Roemer (Gold), which was described by the press as ‘visionary’ and ‘ahead of its time’. For the Thai royal court, Robert Ponger composed the soundtrack for the internationally acclaimed 3-CD-ROM production ‘What did the Buddha teach?’, which is used worldwide as an official teaching aid in all Buddhist schools. US top star CeeLo Green (ex. Gnarls Barkley) presented a new interpretation of ‘Der Kommissar’ with his own lyrics. Joe Zawinul (Weather Report) commissioned Robert Ponger to record and produce a song from the LP ‘Stories of the Danube’, featuring the group ‘Broadlahn’. Other welcome guests in the studio were: Brad Howell (drums and main voice of Frank Farian's Milli Vanilli), Cheryl Bentyne ( Manhattan Transfer) and the bassists and electric guitarists of the studio and live bands of David Bowie and Joe Cocker. For Patrick Gammon, keyboarder and singer of Tina Turner's studio and live band, Robert Ponger composed the single ‘Do my Ditty’ and DJ Peter Rauhofer (Club 69) remixed Trevor Horn's ‘Relax’ by Frankie Goes to Hollywood in the Ponger studios. The first movement of his first symphony was recorded with an 87-piece classical orchestra; Robert Ponger is currently working on the composition of the second movement.
Co-Composer
GERMAN VERSION NEW SONGS
Wolfgang Adenberg, a lawyer by training, is one of Germany's most frequently performed musical authors and translators. Together with composer Marc Schubring, he created two of the most frequently staged German-language musicals, FLETSCH – SATURDAY BITE FEVER and EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES. In 2002, his play WHAT A FEELING! was the greatest success in the history of the Contra-Kreis-Theater in Bonn. He has also written the musicals CYRANO DE BERGERAC, MOULIN ROUGE STORY, THE MAN WHO WAS SHERLOCK HOLMES and TELL, among others. His latest piece, BEAUTIFUL TO DIE, has been running at the Theatre of Lower Saxony in Hildesheim since February 2013. He wrote the musicals THE 7 RAVENS, KING DROSSELBART and SLEEPING BEAUTY (music: Alexander Bermange) for the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Festival in Hanau. His children's opera PRINCESS ANNA (music: Jakob Vinje) premiered in Nordhausen in 2011 and was such an instant success that it has since been performed at three other theatres. It will receive its Austrian premiere at the Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck in June 2014.
As a translator, Wolfgang Adenberg is responsible, among other things, for the German versions of more than 30 musicals, including TITANIC, 42ND STREET, WE WILL ROCK YOU, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, LUCKY STIFF, PINKELSTADT, ROCKY, LOVE NEVER DIES and THE LAST FIVE YEARS, as well as the new version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS. He produced Pia Douwes' solo CD “Dezemberlieder” and wrote the German lyrics for it. Wolfgang Adenberg has been awarded a gold disc and the Stuttgart Audience Award for his work.
ORCHESTRATION
Roy Moore has composed and orchestrated the music for nearly 300 television programmes for BBC TV. BBC TV, including 'Allo ’Allo, You Rang M'lord, Are You Being Served and many others. He is a regular arranger for the BBC Concert Orchestra and was musical associate for the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham. His work for television and sound recordings includes scores for Barry Manilow, Cliff Richard and Andrea Bocelli. He has worked in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where he orchestrated the music for 3 Musketeers, Hans Klok, Holiday On Ice, The Physician (co-winner of the 2016 German Musical Theatre Award for Best Musical Arrangements), Moeder Ik Wil Bij de Revue, The Visit, Ich War Noch Niemals in New York and I Am from Austria. His film work includes Lord of the Rings and the Broadway version of The Pirates of Penzance.
In New York, he arranged Don Pasquale for the Public Theatre in Central Park. He has conducted many shows in London's West End, including A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, and in 1996 he conducted the ‘Royal Variety Performance’. He has also accompanied the artists Mel Tormé, Shirley Bassey, Roy Orbison, Lulu and Tom Jones, among others.
Choreography
Anthony van Laast trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, where he went on to work as a performer and choreographer. As a choreographer, he has received international recognition.
His theatrical successes include: TINA THE MUSICAL - worldwide (Outer Circle Critics Award, Tony Award nomination); MAMMA MIA! - worldwide (Dora Mavor Moore Award, Helpman Award nomination), SISTER ACT - worldwide (Olivier Award nomination); SIDE SHOW - BROADWAY (Hayes Award nomination), HAIR - Old Vic (Olivier Award nomination), Andrew Lloyd Webber's SONG AND DANCE - worldwide (Green Room Award), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - worldwide (Olivier Award nomination, Dramalogue Award), BOMBAY DREAMS - London, Broadway (Tony Award nomination), CANDIDE - Old Vic (Olivier Award nomination for Best Musical).
His film work includes "Beaty and the Beast", "Mamma Mia! Here we Go Again", "Mamma Mia!", "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1", "Never Say Never Again", "Excalibur", and "Hope and Glory".
In 1999 he was awarded an MBE for services to dance and choreography, in 2018 he received the CBE for services to dance and choreography, and in 2019 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.
Stage design
Stephan Prattes was born in Vienna and lives in Berlin. He studied stage and costume design at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, took a master class with Hans Schavernoch and has assisted Martin Kusej, Christoph Schlingensief, Christian Stückl, Martin Zehetgruber and others. In 1988, he founded and directed the Austrian children's and youth theater "MKT-THEATER" in Graz, acting as Director, Set Designer and Composer. Stephan Prattes designs the sets for the legendary Swiss-German comedy trio "die Geschwister Pfister". Since 1998 he has worked as a freelance costume and set designer and director in cities across Austria, Germany and Switzerland. These include Schauspiel and Opernhaus Graz, Bühnen Köln, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Bar jeder Vernunft Berlin, Salzburger Landestheater, Theater Bern, Theater Aachen, Staatstheater Kassel, Staatstheater Braunschweig, Salzburger Landestheater, Wintergarten Berlin, Festspiele Bad Hersfeld, Staatstheater Saarbrücken, Haus für Mozart-Salzburg, the Ruhrtriennale, Berlin's Komische Oper, and Vienna's Kammerspiele der Josefstadt, Volksoper, and Vereinigte Bühnen Wien - Ronacher & Raimund Theaters.
As a stage designer he regularly works with directors such as Nicolai Sykosch, Stefan Huber, Andreas Gergen, Christian Struppeck, and Werner Sobotka. Most recently, he worked with star choreographer and director Vincent Paterson on the new European version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical EVITA at Vienna's Ronacher Theater. In 2017, he designed the stage set for the world premiere of I AM FROM AUSTRIA, by Rainhard Fendrich, at Vienna's Raimund Theater. As a director, he also developed and staged the successful production "Am Rande der Nacht" in Berlin's Wintergarten - a celebrity variety show hosted by Katharine Mehrling. He also developed and staged his Japan revue "SAYONARA TOKYO", which celebrated its critically acclaimed premiere at the Berlin Wintergarten on July 19, 2017 and won the Berlin award for "SHOW OF THE YEAR 2017".
For the world premiere of I AM FROM AUSTRIA at Vienna's Raimund Theater, Stephan Prattes was nominated for the 2019 Austrian Music Theater Award. In the summer of 2022, Stephan Prattes launched his entertainment company ZIRKUS PRATTES. The venue in Graz, Austria, opened in summer 2022 and hosts concerts, theater, cabaret & comedy and jazz events, as well as circus performances, of course.
Costume design
Uta Loher is one of the most sought-after costume designers in the German-speaking world. She has designed the costumes for over 200 theater productions, and worked with Conny Lüders for over ten years. Uta Loher is as at home in the genre of opera as she is in operetta and drama, and has proven herself to be a true specialist in musicals and revues. She studied at the Munich Kunstakademie and now lives and works in Berlin. Born in Bayreuth, Germany, she has worked with world-renowned directors like Volker Schlöndorff, Götz Friedrich and Axel Corti. She has designed costumes for productions in Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Basel, Berlin, Munich and Vienna, including DON GIOVANNI, LOHENGRIN, PORGY AND BESS, HOFFMANN'S NARRATIVES, ROMEO AND JULIA and DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL. She has worked closely with the prominent Berlin director Helmut Baumann, which whom she achieved huge success for their musicals and operettas. Their shows include the legendary German-language premiere of the Broadway musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Berlin Theater des Westens, MY FAIR LADY and CABARET, starring the internationally-acclaimed Hildegard Knef. At the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, she and Conny Lüders dazzled audiences with their costumes for the productions CASANOVA, BERLIN ERLEUCHTET and SHOW ME. Viennese theater audiences know Uta Loher through successful productions such as DIE MÖWE at the Akademietheater, staged by Harald Clemen, AUTOMATENBÜFETT at the Theater in der Josefstadt in collaboration with Hans Ulrich Becker, and ORPHEUS IN DER UNTERWELT in a production by Helmut Baumann at the Volksoper. For the Thunerseespiele festival, Uta Loher and Conny Lüders designed the costumes for the world premiere of DÄLLEBACH KARI, as well as for the world premiere and the Austrian premiere of THE VISIT in Thun and Vienna, and the world premiere of I AM FROM AUSTRIA at Vienna's Raimund Theater.
Costume design
Conny Lüders lives and works in Berlin. She has designed the costumes for countless productions, including KISS ME KATE, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, SPAMALOT, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, CABARET, WEST SIDE STORY, SISTER ACT, CHESS, DER SCHUH DES MANITU, CARMEN at the Felsenreitschule festival in Salzburg, the world premiere of ROBIN HOOD - THE MUSICAL in Fulda, Germany, the world premiere of SCHOLL - DIE KNOSPE DER WEISSEN ROSE in Fürth, Germany, and the forthcoming world premiere of the musical DIE KÖNIGINNEN at the Landestheater Linz. With Uta Loher, she designed the costumes for the world premieres of DÄLLEBACH KARI, THE VISIT at the Thuner Seefestspiele festival and Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (which won the 2015 Austrian Music Theater Award for Best Set), I AM FROM AUSTRIA at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, DER MANN MIT DEM LACHEN and for the revues "Casanova", "Berlin erleuchtet", and "Show Me" at the Friedrichstadtpalast Berlin.
Light design
Howard has been nominated six times for Best Lighting Designer at the Laurence Olivier Awards, and won the award for his productions of CITY OF ANGELS (Donmar Warehouse) and MACBETH (Gielgud Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Broadway). His most recent theatrical successes include AS YOU LIKE IT (@sohoplace), and he is currently working on the production of ROCK ME AMADEUS – THE FALCO MUSICAL (VBW). His West End productions include "MAMMA MIA!" (worldwide), "BLITHE SPIRIT" (Harold Pinter Theatre), "WIND IN THE WILLOWS" (The Palladium), "MARY POPPINS" (Prince Edward Theatre, and New Amsterdam Theatre NY), "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST" (Vauderville Theatre), "AN IDEAL HUSBAND" (Vauderville Theatre), "NEVILLE'S ISLAND" (Duke of York Theatre), "GUYS AND DOLLS" (Piccadilly Theatre), "THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK" (Drury Lane), "RAGTIME" (Piccadilly Theatre), and "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF" (The Lyric Theatre). His work at The National, The Old Vic, The Donmar Warehouse, Stratford East, The Menier Chocolate Factory and Chichester Festival Theatre includes "SOUTH PACIFIC", "EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON", "PRIVATE LIVES", "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", "Measure for Measure", "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui", "Saint Joan", "Anna Christie", which won the Knight of Illumination Award, "Tales from Hollywood", "Privates on Parade", "Shining City", "King Hedley", "SOUTH PACIFIC", "SHADOWLANDS", "MACK AND MABEL", and "The Truth". Dance productions he has worked on include "Phantom of the Opera" (Shanghai Ballet), Matthew Bourne's "Nutcracker", "Edward Scissorhands" (Sadlers Wells, touring the UK and US), "Swan Lake", "Romeo and Juliet", "Strictly Gershwin" (Shanghai Ballet and Queensland Ballet Co ENB at the Royal Albert Hall), and "Hamlet" (Shanghai Ballet). His work in opera includes "The Barber of Seville" (The Lyric, Chicago), and "Nabucco" (The Metropolitan, New York).
Sounddesign
Trained in Europe and the USA, Tom Strebel works in sound design, consulting, audio engineering, event and studio production, and studio design. He has worked with composer Niki Reiser to produce numerous film scores, including "Jenseits der Stille" (German Film Award for "Best Film Score") and "Nirgendwo in Afrika" (2002 German Film Award, 2003 Oscar for "Best Foreign Language Film"). Since the mid-90s, Thomas Strebel has created the sound design for musicals across Europe and Asia. In 2016, Volker Hesse invited him to the opening of the Gotthard Road Tunnel. In 2009, he was awarded the German Theater Prize for his sound design at the Einsiedler Welttheater.
He has been the Technical Director and Sound Designer for the successful music show "Basel Tattoo" since 2005. Since 2012, he has created the sound design for many musicals in Vienna, including "ELISABETH", "EVITA", "MOZART!", "REBECCA", "DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE", and "DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES". He has also worked on several VBW productions in Antwerp, Shanghai, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Videodesign
Douglas O'Connell is a video and projection designer. His theater successes include ASPECTS OF LOVE (West End), 1923: CHILDREN OF REPUBLIC (Piu Entertainment, Turkey), GREASE (West End/UK tour), THE WIZARD OF OZ, SUNSET BOULEVARD (Curve, Leicester), "All's Well That Ends Well", "The Magician's Elephant" (RSC), "Silence" (Filter/ Hampstead/RSC), "Identical" (Nottingham Playhouse), "Royal Hunt of the Sun" (Parco Theatre, Tokyo), "The Witches Of Eastwick" (Cirkus, Stockholm), "Hogarth's Progress: The Taste Of The Town," "Hogarth's Progress," "The Art Of Success" (Rose Theatre), "An Officer and a Gentleman" (UK tour), "Tale Of Two Cities" (Regent's Park), "Fault Lines" (Hampstead), "The Bomb - Second Blast" (1992-2012), "The Bomb - First Blast" (1940-1992), "Dance Marathon" (Barbican); "Monsters" (Arcola), "This Isn't Romance" (Soho Theatre), and "Fight Face" (Lyric Hammersmith). Operas he has worked on include "The Lost Ring" (ROH), "The Magic Flute," "Into The Woods" (Opera North), and "Don Giovanni" (Hampstead Garden Opera). He has also designed for dance productions such as "Pinocchio" (Texas Ballet/National Ballet of Canada), and "Ballet Shoes" (London's Children's Ballet).
Associate choreography
Nichola Treherne has worked as Associate Choreographer for productions that include MAMMA MIA! (worldwide productions), and the feature films "Mamma Mia!" and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again", "Beauty and the Beast" (Disney film), "Holmes and Watson" (feature film), "What's Love Got To Do With It" (feature film), Cher's "Here We Go Again" (international tour), "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (London Palladium, worldwide productions), Sarah Brightman (Harem and Symphony international tour), "Batman Live" (international tour), "Ant and Dec's Takeaway" (national tour), WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND (London), "Burn the Floor" (international tour/video), HAIR (London/Scandinavia), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (London, national tour/video) and BOMBAY DREAMS (London).
She has choreographed productions such as THE ROVER (Royal Shakespeare Company), THE SOUND OF MUSIC Live (ITV), THE MERRY WIDOW (English National Opera), The Olivier Awards 2023 (ITV), The Royal Variety Show (ITV), LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and HIGH STREET MUSICAL (Amsterdam), CHESS, GREASE, and MAGIC OF BROADWAY (Scandinavia).
Her work as an Associate Director includes JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (worldwide productions), CHESS and FAME (Scandinavia), BY JEEVES (Scarborough and London), and DIRTY DANCING (Hamburg). She was also the Artistic Supervisor for STARLIGHT EXPRESS (London).
Musical direction
After studying in Bremen, Hanover and New York, he worked as a music educator, chamber musician, concert pianist and conductor. This was followed by solo performances with various orchestras and as a partner in chamber music ensembles, as well as recitals with soloists from various state operas; also with a focus on modern music (including collaboration with Karlheinz Stockhausen). As a conductor and répétiteur, he has worked on over 50 different (premiere) performances and premieres in Vienna and abroad. He has also been a guest lecturer at several musical schools and universities. Since the 2000/2001 season, he has been a permanent conductor at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, where he has been in charge of the rehearsals of numerous plays as well as the ongoing productions. In addition, he works as a pianist and consultant for many national and international auditions. Currently he is part of the music direction of the VBW. Most recently, he was Musical Director of WE ARE MUSICAL, the opening gala of the Raimund Theater and the concert performances of ELISABETH at Schönbrunn (2019 and 2022). As a supervisor, he oversees versions of ELISABETH, MOZART! and REBECCA in many countries for VBW, among others. In 2022/23, he will follow with the musical direction of Disney's THE HUNCHBACK at the Ronacher.
Consultant
Markus Spiegel was born in Legnica (Liegnitz/Poland) on November 28, 1952 and moved to Vienna with his parents when he was 4 years old. He was granted Austrian citizenship, and attended the Bundeskonvikt and the Musisch-pädagogisches Realgymnasium in Kundmanngasse, Vienna. He founded his record store "GIG" and, in 1980, also founded "GIG Records", because there were almost no Austrian pop music producers. For almost two decades, "GIG Records" was the biggest and most profitable independent label in Austria. It had to finance all its music independently. When Markus Spiegel saw Stefan Weber's "Drahdiwaberl" in Vienna's Sophiensälen, he loved it immediately and offered him a contract. The legendary albums were the result. Spiegel especially liked the band's bass player: FALCO. He also got a 3-year contract. The first single "Ganz Wien" was banned by Austrian radio station Ö3, but the first three albums "Einzelhaft", "Junge Römer" & "Falco Drei" and the single "Der Kommissar" received dozens of platinum and gold discs worldwide. He reached number 1 in the US charts with "Rock Me Amadeus".
Markus Spiegel was responsible for managing Oskar Werner's audio legacy, and published "Oskar Werner Reads Rilke" and "Truth and Legacy". Most recently, he was appointed Vice President of BMG Entertainment Munich. As Executive Producer he also managed the production of the CDs from the VBW musicals "Kiss of the Spider Woman", "Grease", "Chicago", "Jekyll and Hyde ", "Musical Christmas", and "The Lion King" for Stage Holding.
He currently consults for Sony Music Austria and is working as an adviser on VBW's ROCK ME AMADEUS - THE FALCO MUSICAL.
In April 2018, he was awarded the "Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna" and in October 2020 the "Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria".
ROCK ME AMADEUS - THE FALCO MUSICAL is a homage to the exceptional Austrian artist and pays tribute to Falco as an artist and person. It was developed in cooperation with the Falco Private Foundation and Falco's long-time companions. His career started in the underground clubs of Vienna in the 80s. The self-created artificial figure "Falco", his unforgettable songs as well as his eccentric and charismatic appearance made him world-famous in a very short time. In addition to Falco's greatest hits, the audience can expect an exciting journey through emotions, successes, escapades and the ever-recurring conflict of "Falco", which promises deep insights into his innermost being.
With the kind support of the Falco Private Foundation
Production sponsoring
The production impresses with an impressive stage show, rousing choreography, an elaborate stage set, dazzling costumes - and of course Falco's unforgettable music. In addition to his greatest hits, the VBW also present four brand-new songs in this musical, which were composed exclusively for the show by the original Falco composers and world-famous music producers Rob Bolland and Ferdi Bolland (including Bloodhound Gang, Samantha Fox, Reamonn, Fettes Brot). In addition, the two are available to the production as creative advisors. Additionally, music producer, Falco companion and composer Robert Ponger and Markus Spiegel, also legendary music producer, Falco discoverer, friend and long-time companion for ROCK ME AMADEUS - DAS FALCO MUSICAL are also consultants for the production.
Wie gemacht für die Bühne
Opulentes Musical-Spektakel
Falco hat, wenn schon nicht im echten Leben, so zumindest im Ronacher ein glückliches Zuhause gefunden.
APAEine dramaturgisch klug gestrickte Show
ORF Zeit im BildGanz Wien feiert neues Falco-Musical
Moritz Mausser als neue Lichtgestalt
(mit) grandiosem Bühnenbild und dramatischer Inszenierung (OE24)
Ein starkes Musical und eine würdige Huldigung des Falken.
Die Vereinigten Bühnen Wien haben nun daraus das flotte Musical „Rock Me Amadeus“ gemacht. Mit dem spannenden und eigentlich logischem Zugang seine gespaltene Persönlichkeit durch gleich zwei Darsteller zu zeigen. (OE24)
ÖsterreichBejubelter Parforce-Ritt eines jungen Falco-Darstellers
Eine Hochschaubahn, die mit superben Leistungen die bisher beste Theaterversion zu bieten vermag.
Das clevere Bühnenbild (Stephan Prattes) überrascht zudem immer wieder.
Fantastische Choreografie (brillant: Anthony van Laast)
Standing Ovations für Mausser, für eine tolle, konzentrierte, beherzte Ensemble-Leistung und die aufwendige Übertragung von Falcos Karriere mit ihren Ups and Downs sowie seiner unerfüllten privaten Sehnsüchte ins Musical-Genre.
Kleine ZeitungWien hat seinen Falco gefunden
Regisseur Andreas Gergen verbindet einzelne Situationen aus Hans Hölzels Kindheit, dessen Familienleben, Szenen eines nicht rein selbstbestimmten Überfliegers und selbstzerstörerischen Bruchpiloten zu einem stimmigen Mosaik
Moritz Mausser brilliert in der Titelrolle
Salzburger NachrichtenPunktlandung des Falken: Jubel für neues Falco-Musical
Ein temporeiches ‚Theaterstück mit Musik‘, in dem Musical-Spezialist Andreas Gergen die Zerrissenheit eines ‚schüchternen, sensiblen Denkers‘, der an seiner Selbstinszenierung zerbricht, in den Vordergrund stellt
Wien ist wieder im Falco-Fieber
Grandios in Szene gesetzt und auf die Bühne gebracht
Wiens neuer Musicalhit
Kronen ZeitungDen Vereinigten Bühnen Wien ist hier wieder ein großer Wurf gelungen!
Moritz Mausser ist hier eine Idealbesetzung
In der Rolle des Falken brilliert Moritz Mausser
HeuteEine würdige Hommage
Moritz Mausser als Falco ist eine Entdeckung
Christian Struppeck hat das Buch geschrieben, inklusive Tiefgang und Humor
Radioklassik.atMoritz Mausser überzeugt
Von Regisseur Andreas Gergen flott inszeniert
Moritz Mausser hat den Hansifalco-Tonfall gespenstisch gut verinnerlicht.
Zudem verfügt Maussers Stimme nicht nur über Falcofarben. Da ist auch eine eigene Intensität, die den bekannten Nummern durchaus Eindringlichkeit verleiht.
Der Standard
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the day had finally come: the brand-new VBW in-house production ROCK ME AMADEUS - DAS FALCO MUSICAL celebrated its grand world premiere at the Ronacher. The atmosphere in the theater was spectacular: with minutes of thunderous applause and standing ovations, the audience paid tribute to the thrilling production, impressive show, talented cast and the entire team.
