Christian Ranke - Page 2

When 'Next to Normal' premiered in Norway back in 2010 it was the very first production to open after the original on Broadway a year and half prior. It was not a replica production, but mimicked it in a lot of ways. It had the three floor structure, endless amount of lightbulbs in the ceilings. This revival, that opened at Lørenskog Hus last Friday, is anything but a replica.

Mamma Mia is the ultimate feel-good-show! it's best to leave your cynicism at the door, forget your worries for an hour or two, and just have a great time. If you're an ABBA fan, that is. If you are not then there is little I can write to persuade you. Read no further!

The first Norwegian non-professional production of Billy Elliot is a solid piece of entertainment, and deserves to be seen by the local community. I urge parents to ask their kids to put down the smartphones, iPads and gaming devices for a few hours and go experience Billy Elliot's journey of self-discovery. You parents may learn a thing or two as well, along the way.

There is nothing amateurish about Enebakk Musikkteater's open-air production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. While some may lack experience in performing, as an ensemble they present a wholesome end-result, with a scenery that is to die for. This review is based on last year’s run. It will re-open next week.

Seeing Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen on stage is a good lesson in star power. It feels like she doesn't have to try - she just does, and she does it magnificently. Commanding the audience’s attention, never losing it during those ninety minutes of splendor.

Winners have been announced for the 2020 BroadwayWorld Norway Awards - which were back bigger than ever, celebrating the best in local theatre of the past decade instead of the past years productions!

During a pandemic it is wonderfuk that performers (in Norway at least) now have the chance to do intimate concerts with social distancing. Performer Martine Tufvesson Lundberg gives this incredible rendition of Meadowlark (that few have heard of in this country). Listen that beling high-E!! Mats-André Soli on piano and Jan Ragnar Storheim on cello. Enjoy!

Overspillteatret (in English The Overacting Company) has put together a sixty minute version of the first season of 'Game of Thrones' in a hilarious parodic fashion. Jam packed with self-references and deliciously filthy humor.

2013 marked Det Norske Teatret's 100th anniversary. To celebrate this occasion the theatre put on a rather intimate production named 'Musikalar i 100' with a small cast presenting moments from their past achievements. The cast included performers such as Hedi Ruud Ellingsen, Heidi Gjermundsen Broch, Gjertrud Jynge, Paul Åge Johannessen and Frank Kjosås. This archival production will be streamed at the theatres webpage from May 29th at 8.00 pm (local time) and will be available for a limited time.

Just like in the game of Chess it is a big move to give this musical another try due to its uneven track record on stage. In this brand new production of CHESS many of the chess pieces finally falls into place, A lot of it due to of a simplified plot which is character driven and where the music is in the center of attention.

Scenekvelder is bringing the mega musical MAMMA MIA! back to Norwegian audiences in the spring of 2021.

'Så som i himmelen' celebrates life, love and music, and how the music can be essential to rehabilitate what was broken into something stronger. It is also about the value fellowship between people of different social classes and backgrounds. It can make you laugh. It can make you cry. But first and foremost it will make you feel. The producers and creative team of this production has done a masterful job of and should be very proud

The almighty God has descended from heaven to reveal himself to the people (at Chat Noir) to clear up a few things. He is distraught by the manner the world has evolved since 'the launch' of the Ten Commandments and his last visit a few thousand years ago. Now he has come to speak the people (in the shape of Frank Kjosås) to clear up some misinterpretations, once and for all. Ninety minutes later we were not much the wiser, albeit there were laughs along the way.

The Broadway musical is finally coming to Oslo and on September 16, 2020, it is ready for Norwegian premiere at Chateau Neuf! The true story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. It will star Atle Pettersen, Nicolay Ramm, Mathias Luppichini and Sindre Postholm. The production will be directed by Tore Sergei Myklebust and choreographed by Kirsty McDonald (Flashdance - The Musical). Hans Einar Apelland will serve as Musical Director and stage design and costumes by Takis.

Charlie and the Chocolate factory” is big, extravagant and highly entertaining. The two leads, Peter Andreas Hjellnes (Charlie) and Fridtjof Sensæth Josefsen (Willy Wonka), carry the show splendidly on their shoulders. As a musical it has flaws, but the production 'almost' manages to conceal this through solid stage design, beautiful comstumes, solid direction and fun choreography.

Two new female creative producers / directors, with huge aspirations, are about to present the Norwegian premiere production of NINE - THE MUSICAL on October 18.

This Musical has a superb cast, performing along an bumpy libretto. As with all Jukebox-musicals the story has been written around pre-existing songs. The authors have done a good job in incorporating a narrative that takes a lot of characters and situations from Postgirobygget's music. The band's music lends itself well to be performed in a theatrical setting, and while it is always good to have strong songs that stands on their own two feet, they can also become an obstacle when trying to conform a good flow in the story.

On September 27th lengendary songwriter and performer, Jahn Teigen, will turn Seventy. To international readers he may be best known for his contributions to Eurovision song contest, and his role as the executioner in the West End musical a?oeWhich Witch,a?? that is still a hot topic among the musical theater community. But the true power of Jahn Teigen's legacy lays in his songs, which is a huge part of Norwegian culture. They have formed a common bond that, in spite of social background or upbringing, has stood the test of time.

Scenekvelder have created a masterful production of 'The Sound of Music' first and foremost thanks to a skillful direction by Lars Jacobsen. He has taken a source material which despite the noticeable weakness of its quaintly old-fashioned book, comes across stronger and more modern than I have seen in past productions.

The show radiates of creativity and enjoyment. With a highly talented international cast pf performers, good use of front projection and an eclectic song-list that also includes some lesser beautiful lesser known songs in the mix.