Vereinigte Bühnen Wien

The Press to the Premiere on February 26, 2009

A standing ovation at the premiere at the Raimund Theater: the musical Rudolf scores with a tremendous story and great theatrical opulence. “Inexorably turns the wheel of time”: this notion is central to the plot and Crown Prince Rudolf uses it to analyse the impending end of the monarchy – the production sets a spectacular imperial and royal stage carousel in motion that eventually throws the heir to the throne off. The sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes that amazes the audience time and again.” “Put briefly: a splendid ensemble, in which Uwe Kröger and Carin Filipcic are particularly outstanding, makes the Mayerling musical a success. The leading team around director David Leveaux, choreographer John O’Connell and set designer Mike Britton combine Viennese atmosphere with glittering Broadway flair. “
(Österreich)


A fine show with a very good cast.

Above all, Drew Sarich as the tragic Rudolf, skilfully switching between love, self-pity, hope and despair throughout the show, forms a genuine character. Uwe Kröger gives a convincing performance as his adversary, the arch-reactionary prime minister Count Taaffe. A dangerous, cynical technocrat of power who embroils Rudolf in a merciless battle.

But the revelation of the production is Lisa Antoni as Mary Vetsera, a figure that Wildhorn has given a much more prominent role. Both her singing skills and acting prowess are a match for the two male rivals. The rest of the cast is faultless too, as is conductor Caspar Richter and the orchestra of the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien.

The show looks just fantastic and the ingenious lighting, designed by Patrick Woodroffe, and Laura Hopkins’ costumes create a memorable atmosphere.
(Kurier)


The two lovers are wonderful: Drew Sarich, a crown prince for today. He was a well-behaved boy, he is a fine fellow. It may well be that he does not snub everybody, but his father (Claus Dam is anything but benign) treats him far too roughly. Women love Rudolf, but he only loves his Mary who is not just beautiful but his soul-mate: Lisa Antoni and Sarich have some touching, passionate scenes together, whether they are rollerblading across the stage with a cute snowman or embracing in the bedroom.
(Die Presse)

The musical Rudolf looks set for a long run. The Habsburgs, from Sissi to Rudi, always provide stories with a dash of history. And who better to preserve the legacy of the monarchy than the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien? A licensed version was produced in Budapest from 2006 and now Kathrin Zechner has engaged a team of Broadway professionals including the composer Frank Wildhorn, the author Jack Murphy and the director David Leveaux. Even lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe and set designer Mike Britton are among the international elite.
(OÖ. Nachrichten)


It is impossible to imagine a better cast for this show: on stage we see two self-effacing, likeable and highly talented artists in Drew Sarich and Lisa Antoni, who not only produce outstanding vocal performances but succeed in portraying true characters as well.
(Kleine Zeitung)


While half a dozen towns in Germany do their utmost to become strongholds of musicals, Vienna has long been one, and it is the republic of the Opera Ball that also provides the storyline. When Elisabeth, the unhappy empress, made it onto Vienna’s musical stage, she drew full houses (in Harry Kupfer’s production) for years and years. Now the Habsburgs provide the characters for Rudolf. Die Affaire Mayerling.
(Frankfurter Rundschau)

The experienced Drew Sarich was given a refreshing, delightful partner in the person of the newcomer Lisa Antoni as Mary. Her soprano role has been given a lot more prominence than was really the case – history tells us only that she was a devoted and loving girl to her fairy-tale prince. The schemer, prime minister Count Taaffe, is also superbly cast. Uwe Kröger, coarse and legendary as Death in Elisabeth, draws the net ever more tightly around Rudolf, haunts him as a nightmare and is the one who really pulls the string in the empire. Kröger’s stage presence is simply marvellous – and he also has the best dance scenes. The outstanding, extremely varied choreography is the work of the Briton John O’Connell."
(Passauer Neue Presse)

The cast of the premiere sent their fans into raptures: cheering, shouts of enthusiasm, a standing ovation....
Uwe Kröger is outstanding as the merciless schemer prime minister Count Taaffe.
(Kronen Zeitung)