Street Scene
ANHALTISCHES THEATER DESSAU & KURT WEILL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (2004)
photos courtesy of Claudia Heysel
STREET SCENE by Kurt Weill, based on the play by Elmer Rice
Conductor: Golo Berg
Cast: A. Gertsberger, J. Hall, F. Paulsen, G. Brückner
Production: A. Grünwald (choreographer), S. Rieckhoff (scenery/clothes), N. Muni (lighting)
Production Description: The setting is 1947, post war East Germany, on a bombed out street. A young German girl, disillusioned by her life, goes to a secret spot where she has hidden a radio where she listens to the Voice of America program whenever she can. On this particular evening, there is a live broadcast of Street Scene. As she listens to the program, she imagines herself in the piece. At first thrilled by the American Dream, she revels. But gradually comes to understand that even in the land of plenty there are troubles, personal struggles. She ends the fantasy with the understanding that no matter where one lives, one must craft their own happiness.