With great anticipation, the Vindobona opened its doors on September 12, 2024 for the presentation of the new theater season. The event, which was specially designed for invited guests from the media landscape, cultural industry and artist friends, offered an exciting outlook on the coming 2024/25 season.
Under the artistic direction of Markus Freistätter and Rita Sereinig as well as managing director Wolfgang Ebner, a colorful program was presented that reflects the diversity and creativity of the Viennese theater.
Looking back on a successful season
The presentation began with a review of the previous season, which had seen impressive success. With over 1.050 actors appearing in various productions and more than 30.000 spectators visiting the Vindobona, the last season was a complete success. These figures reflect the growing interest in the diverse program, which ranged from cabaret to musicals.
The emotional farewell to Thomas Khary, the former artistic director who had had a significant influence on the house, gave the event a nostalgic moment. Khary had always brought well-known external productions to the house and was known for his creative influence on the Vindobona.
Highlights of the 2024/25 theatre season
The Vindobona remains true to its motto "We are colorful" and offers a wide range of performances in the coming season. One of the absolute highlights is the revival of the successful musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". This award-winning off-Broadway musical tells the gripping story of the rock'n'roll drag queen Hedwig, who grew up in East Berlin and fights for her identity in the USA after a failed sex change. The internationally acclaimed actor Drew Sarich once again takes on the lead role, while his wife Ann Mandrella takes on the role of Yitzhak. The experienced Werner Sobotka is the director.
Another popular piece that returns to the stage in the new season is the festive “Dinner before Christmas”. This dinner show combines a culinary three-course gala menu with a musical journey through the most beautiful Christmas songs and ensures a special start to the Christmas season every year.
Also new this season is the 8th edition of "CulinarICAL", which, under the title "CulinarICAL 8.0 - goes Movie", takes up the greatest musical films of all time and enchants the audience with a unique mix of dance, singing and culinary delights. A special highlight is the participation of the winners of the ORF show "Die große Chance 2024", the dance group Indeed Unique, who will bring stories to life through dance using impressive choreographies.
“Dinner for One”, the legendary TV spectacle, will also be shown in a new interpretation live on the Vindobona stage. The humorous performance has already thrilled audiences in recent years and will certainly get plenty of laughs this season too.
Innovative in-house productions and renowned artists
In addition to the revivals and classics, the Vindobona is also offering numerous innovative in-house productions in the new season. Particularly noteworthy is the piece "Barbra & I", a musical homage to the career and life of Barbra Streisand. Directed by Alex Balga and starring the renowned actor Stefano Bernardin, who is currently also delighting audiences in the role of Hamlet, this piece promises a captivating and humorous exploration of the icon Streisand.
Other highlights include programs such as “Club Couleur,” “Doll House,” and “Burlesque Extravaganza,” which are intended for a broad audience and establish the Vindobona as a center of entertainment in Vienna. Cabaret and music lovers can also look forward to evenings with renowned artists such as Birgit Denk, Louie Austen, Nina Hartmann, Martin Leutgeb, and many others.
A season of diversity and creativity
The presentation of the new 2024/25 theater season provided a promising foretaste of the coming months at Vindobona. With a mixture of tried-and-tested classics, exciting in-house productions and innovative new productions, the program offers something for everyone. Fans of musicals and dinner shows as well as cabaret lovers will get their money's worth. The variety of genres and the outstanding artists in particular mean that Vindobona will once again live up to its reputation as one of Vienna's most exciting theaters this season.
The balancing act between entertainment and artistic standards, between traditional performances and modern productions, makes the Vindobona an important cultural center in Vienna. The new theater season impressively shows that the house continues to focus on innovation and sets standards with its creative in-house productions.
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