Lola Blau (2009)

bvpm records - LC 6059 (2 CD)

 

Konrad Chr. Göke: book and direction

Heika Maria Förster: Lola Blau

Stella-Louise Göke: BDM girl, polish girl, Julia, a.o.

Marko Kassl: accordion, clarinet, musical direction

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When Georg Kreisler reflected in Die ZEIT, “I am now 84 years old, I can see, hear, think, and I have a wonderful marriage. God has been good to me,” his words reveal a remarkable resilience and zest for life, especially when viewed against the backdrop of his extraordinary biography: fleeing the Nazis, a stint in Hollywood, and collaborations with Charlie Chaplin.

Kreisler wove elements of his life story into his acclaimed 1971 musical Lola Blau. The story follows the young actress Lola Blau, who in 1938 eagerly packs her bags to begin her first engagement at the Linz State Theatre—only to have Adolf Nazi slam the door in her face. Thus begins an odyssey through Switzerland, France, Paris, and America—always in transit, always waiting in life’s waiting rooms—from a variety show girl to a Hollywood diva and back to a war-torn Europe, searching for her great love, with her accordion ever at her side.

The production was directed by Konrad Chr. Göke, who expanded the original one-woman show by adding another actress and singer, offering a fresh and compelling interpretation of Lola Blau. After numerous performances across German-speaking stages, this version inspired the creation of the current radio musical.

Marko Kassl took on the musical direction and adapted the original piano score for accordion.