On the Town

In On the Town, three sailors are on shore leave in search of the sights of the city and a charming city dweller to accompany them. Not exactly an easy goal to achieve under time pressure ... Leonard Bernstein’s first musical, staged by musical professional Felix Seiler, offers not only catchy hits, but also humorously drawn characters to fall in love with – and plenty of fun and verve!

The three young sailors Gabey, Chip and Ozzie have a clear goal in mind: if they can leave their ship for one night, they want to enjoy it, see as much of New York as possible and do so in good company! Gabey soon has a very clear idea of this company, namely June’s “Miss Subway of the Month”: Ivy Smith. The three of them split up to find the lady in question. Gabey even succeeds! However, Ivy has her own plans for the evening, which she is reluctant to share with the sailor ... Chip and Ozzie also make their own unexpected acquaintances ...

In Felix Seiler’s production, supported by choreographer Danny Costello, set designer Darko Petrovic and costume designer Sarah Rolke, who conjure up New York nightlife on the opera stage, the audience experiences an entertaining and exciting evening in the Big Apple. Before On the Town conquered Broadway as a musical, the piece was performed as a ballet by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein.

The production was such a success that the two artists were asked to adapt the material as a musical. First performed in 1944 during the Second World War, it was intended to distract the audience from the gloomy everyday life of war. But with its awareness of the finite nature of life and the fragility of prosperity, On the Town is far more than superficial entertainment with its sharp-tongued commentary on topical issues of the time such as sexual psychology and modern gender images. It was not for nothing that the four authors Bernstein, Robbins and the text duo Betty Comden and Adolph Green became famous almost overnight after the premiere as the “young savages”.