What if the economic miracle after World War II had not taken place in Germany, but in Turkey instead? What if German guest workers had helped to rebuild Turkey – and not the other way around? This exciting thought experiment forms the basis of the play.

In scenes in German and songs in Turkish, "Istanbul" tells a tragicomic story of the search for happiness, love, and home. The songs of Sezen Aksu, the founder and Grande Dame of Turkish pop, serve as inspiration for the play.

An impressive discography that includes more than 30 albums: this is the balance of his over 50-year musical career. The rock musician and singer Mitch Ryder has long become a legend. With his band "Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels," he had his first hit in 1965 with "Jenny Take A Ride!" Two years later, he attempted a solo career, but the hoped-for success did not materialize. Disappointed, Ryder turned his back on music. In the 70s, he became known through his legendary performance at the WDR Rockpalast night. Truly and beautifully, with a certain grit and whiskey in his voice, that is real Rhythm & Blues, and that is exactly what Mitch Ryder makes. The original rocker from Detroit is considered by Keith Richards to be one of the most exciting singers to have emerged on the music scene. Inspired by James Brown and Motown, Mitch Ryder still does what he does best: singing the blues from the deepest soul.

Since the "Vacation" LP and Ryder's legendary TV appearance at ARD Rockpalast, 45 years have passed. That full moon night, that nightmarishly transcendent concert in the Essen Grugahalle has long since become a legend. In the sixty-minute WDR documentary on the 40th anniversary of the Rockpalast in July 2017, Mitch Ryder's performance was described as one of the most important and best of all time!

For Mitch Ryder, it was the beginning of his relationship with Germany, which has not faltered since then. "That night was a chance for me," he says today, "like you might only have once in a lifetime." In the USA, his fans mainly want to hear the old classic hits from the sixties. "In Europe, I make completely different music," says Ryder. "Here, I’m allowed to be an artist. That's why I love Europe." In January 2024, he released the live album "The Roof Is On Fire" (Ruf Records), which was recorded on tour in 2019/2020. "This might be my most important and certainly one of the best albums I've ever made," says Mitch Ryder about this album that can hold its own against his 1979 masterpiece "Naked But Not Dead."

His new studio album "With Love" was recorded in August 2024 in Detroit and produced by none other than production legend Don Was. The album is set to be released in January 2025, just in time for the start of the tour from 02.02.- 16.03.2025 at Ruf Records. Fans and music lovers can look forward to an exciting tour with new songs and a new band!

Doors open at 19:00.

2024-09-29_The Eternal Snob

2024-11-30_Mindfully Murdering

2025-02-15_Things I Know for Sure

2025-03-22_Rent a Friend

2025-04-26_Waiting for the Bus

Experience the hits of the incomparable Swedish cult band ABBA,
one of the most successful bands of all time with around 400 million records sold!

Accompanied by an exquisite multi-course menu, we will take you back to the time of
bell-bottoms and platform shoes.

In authentic costumes, our artists bring back the disco era with hits like "Dancing Queen"
and "Mamma Mia", among others.

Become part of an unforgettable evening, up close with Anni-Frid, Björn, Benni, and Agnetha,
and embark on a journey into the musical world of ABBA.

Doors open at 6:30 PM.

About having the courage to change one's own destiny: In the musical highlight "Aladin," the audience immerses itself in a world full of adventure and magic. Specially composed musical hits, plenty of excitement, and even more humor promise the best live entertainment for the whole family!

1001 Nights in a new light
The famous story from 1001 Nights is presented by the Theater Liberi, known for its imaginative family musicals, in a fast-paced and modern version. Well-trained musical actors portray the diverse facets of the popular characters in this tale of courage, self-determination, and friendship. Fantastic light effects, elegant costumes, as well as impressive music and choreography create the perfect backdrop for the mysterious world of Aladin, Yasmin, and Dschinni.

An adventure full of magic
Aladin leads a life as a simple street boy until his life is suddenly turned upside down: He has just met Princess Yasmin, who is trying by all means to protect her people from the evil sorcerer Jafar, when he himself becomes entangled in his wicked schemes. Jafar finally wants to get rid of the Sultan and seize power with the help of a legendary lamp. Aladin is supposed to help him, but the plan goes awry, and Aladin finds himself trapped in a cave. In search of a way out, he discovers the secret of the magic lamp and frees the powerful Dschinni, who quickly proves to be a true friend. Aladin's problems seem to be solved in one fell swoop because where there is a Dschinni, there are also three wishes. However, magic alone will not be enough to help Yasmin and thwart Jafar's sinister plans...

Age: from 4 years old
Duration: 2 hours including a 20-minute intermission

Guest performance of the Munich Folk Singers' Theatre

We are in the year 1805. Not only politically, turbulent times prevail in Bavaria.
It is also tumultuous in the Munich underworld, where thieves, lowlifes, and rascals wreak havoc and form rival clans.
Thus, the beggar and the lowlife clan are mercilessly fighting for supremacy in the world of the outcasts during these times.
With the sudden death of the "Beggar-King", his young second wife, a former flirt, takes over her position of power, much to the displeasure of the two "royal children" who come from the "Beggar-King's" first marriage. The fact that the new "Beggar-Queen" now also wants to win over the arch-enemy of the beggar clan, the infamous Platzl-Fonse, head of the lowlife clan, drives her competitors over the edge.
A devious, murderous game of power, greed, and money begins...

Please note our cloakroom obligation.

In the new production "ABBA KLARO" at the Boulevardtheater Deidesheim, renowned musical actors are involved who have already proven their impressive talents in music productions such as "Sister Act", "Chicago", and more.

Hold on to your platform shoes, because Benni, the former singer of the ABBA cover band "BABBA", is caught in the middle of a musical mess. The stage is his battlefield, and the greatest hits of ABBA are his secret weapons. 🕺💃

Benni's story? Oh, it's a rollercoaster ride between failures, bad luck, and mishaps. BABBA, his beloved cover band, is a thing of the past, and the poor guy is on the verge of being sent to the afterlife by a mafia boss. But hold on tight: Benni doesn't opt for the big bucks, but for a spectacular rescue plan involving nail care, dog food, beer, and broken hearts!

You will laugh, cheer, and maybe even shed a tear as Benni stumbles head over heels into the adventure. What does nail care have to do with his fate? Why is dog food suddenly life-saving? And which beer will save the world from doom? Find out when Benni rocks the stage and takes the audience on a top-notch ABBA concert experience!

This crazy musical comedy is an absolute must-see for anyone looking for an evening full of laughter, music, and outrageous twists. So grab your Dancing Queens and experience a night with Benni that will go down in the annals of eccentric entertainment!

Secure your tickets before time runs out – because this ABBA adventure will make your platform shoes glow!

3 PM

In the new production "ABBA KLARO" at the Boulevardtheater Deidesheim, renowned musical actors are involved who have already proven their impressive talents in music productions such as "Sister Act", "Chicago", and more.

Hold on to your platform shoes, because Benni, the former singer of the ABBA cover band "BABBA", is caught in the middle of a musical mess. The stage is his battlefield, and the greatest hits of ABBA are his secret weapons. 🕺💃

Benni's story? Oh, it's a rollercoaster ride between failures, bad luck, and mishaps. BABBA, his beloved cover band, is a thing of the past, and the poor guy is on the verge of being sent to the afterlife by a mafia boss. But hold on tight: Benni doesn't opt for the big bucks, but for a spectacular rescue plan involving nail care, dog food, beer, and broken hearts!

You will laugh, cheer, and maybe even shed a tear as Benni stumbles head over heels into the adventure. What does nail care have to do with his fate? Why is dog food suddenly life-saving? And which beer will save the world from doom? Find out when Benni rocks the stage and takes the audience on a top-notch ABBA concert experience!

This crazy musical comedy is an absolute must-see for anyone looking for an evening full of laughter, music, and outrageous twists. So grab your Dancing Queens and experience a night with Benni that will go down in the annals of eccentric entertainment!

Secure your tickets before time runs out – because this ABBA adventure will make your platform shoes glow!

3 PM

Martin Walser was considered a "writer of the century". In 2023, the highly esteemed but also highly controversial writer passed away at the age of 96. It is not an exaggeration to describe him as one of the most important German authors of the post-war period and to mention him in the same breath as Heinrich Böll or Günter Grass.

A recurring motif in Walser's work is the failure in life: his heroes are not able to meet the demands that their fellow human beings place on them or that they place on themselves. And yet there is hope. In one of his last poems, Walser wrote: "To be tireless and insatiable, and inscrutable. And immortal - Nothing more."

Although "Die Zimmerschlacht" is over half a century old, the couple and relationship themes discussed in it are still very relevant - ranging from desolate communication problems, misunderstandings, to the interplay of illusion and expectation, wish and reality, dependency and freedom.

A magnificent piece presented by the Kleinen Theater Haar.

Doors open at 7:30 pm.

Eight Classical Concerts

Tickets may still be available at local box offices or at the door.

Queen guitarist, BRIAN MAY says: “I only recently discovered NATALIA POSNOVA. She is a fantastic pianist and interpreter of our songs. And I do not use this designation lightly. Seriously, I have never seen or heard anything like this in all these years. To see this amount of beauty, talent, innovation, and pure bravura in one person is astonishing. You all have to see her!” Brian May. The renowned English singer Michael Antony Austin is on board, lending his voice to unforgettable rock favorites like “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Are the Champions.” Thanks to the SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’s projection on the LED wall, this show offers a unique multimedia experience.
The show “QUEEN Rhapsody” with star pianist Natalia Posnova is a musically and visually unique crossover event that not only evokes memories but also inspires a rediscovery of QUEEN's music.

#Concert
#GuestsinHouse

Admission: 6:30 PM

In a short period of time, the stage production REGEN by and with Ferdinand von Schirach has become one of the most visited new plays in the German-speaking world. The acclaim and demand have remained unbroken since the premiere, which is why the bestselling author is now adding numerous additional dates for 2024 and 2025 following his almost completely sold-out premiere tour.

In 2023, Ferdinand von Schirach's new book REGEN was published - entering directly at number 1 on the bestseller list. A narrative that Ferdinand von Schirach has been presenting as a monologue on stage since October 2023: a man comes drenched from the rain into a bar - onto the stage - and talks about the greatness and the horrors of our time, about human dignity, loneliness, love, loss, and failure.

REGEN is a bold and very personal piece, a play on the border between stage character and author. Directed by Elmar Goerden.

Der Spiegel called Ferdinand von Schirach a "great storyteller," The New York Times an "extraordinary stylist," The Independent compared him to Kafka and Kleist, The Financial Times to Raymond Carver, and The Daily Telegraph wrote that he is "one of the most distinctive voices in European literature." His books have been adapted into films multiple times and have sold millions of copies internationally. They have been published in more than forty countries. His plays Terror and God are among the most successful and discussed dramas worldwide today.

"If the word 'cultivated' didn't exist, it would have to be invented for Ferdinand von Schirach."

(Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung)

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Welcome to the realm of knowledge in the Baroque era: Stepping onto creaking floorboards into the quiet grandeur of our historical library hall, one is immediately enveloped by the collective knowledge of the Early Modern period. Like stage sets in a Baroque theater, the original bookshelves jut into the space, housing around 50,000 books from all fields of knowledge. Behind unassuming book spines lie remarkable treasures, such as the first German Bible printed in America.

At the end of the 17th century, the orphanage's library was established as one of the first public libraries in Germany. Primarily through donations, book exchanges, and their own publications, the library grew so rapidly that within a few years, it was comparable to significant German university libraries. In 1728, it received its own building, which is considered the oldest surviving secular library structure in Germany. Not only in recent times has the library been visited by guests and researchers from around the world: Albrecht von Haller, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe all admired its bibliophilic treasures. We present a selection of them for you in rotating cabinet exhibitions in the former reading room of the library.

10 am - 5 pm

The Art and Natural History Chamber is considered the oldest German museum room. It was established by August Hermann Francke for educational purposes and is now once again set up according to the original museum concept of the 18th century in its historical location in the attic of the Historical Orphanage.

Eighteen richly decorated collection cabinets house approximately 3000 natural specimens, curiosities, and artifacts. They provide a unique impression of a Baroque cabinet of curiosities. Unlike modern museums, the chamber follows an encyclopedic collecting approach. A distinction is made between natural specimens and artifacts. The natural specimens are divided into rocks, plants, and animals, while the artifacts are categorized into visual arts, calligraphy, coins, everyday culture, and clothing. The goal was to create a mirror image of the world: a microcosm that made the macrocosm as the wonderful creation of God tangible.

In a series of events, art projects take place around the Art and Natural History Chamber. In the so-called "Contemporary Reflections on the Art and Natural History Chamber," foundations invite artists to engage in an artistic dialogue with the chamber.

Detailed information

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Palace-like, the orphanage rises on Franckeplatz. Then as now, it is the centerpiece of the Francke Foundations. Erected in 1698 as the first building of the school city, it represents a new facet of European Baroque, combining confident representation without extravagant ornamentation and setting the tone for orphanage architecture.

Today, the orphanage is our museum and cultural center. Right from the start, two permanent exhibitions guide you through the history of the foundation and the global impact of Pietism. On the first floor, the former prayer and singing hall surprises with its bright architecture. Today, it enjoys an excellent reputation as a concert hall due to its fantastic acoustics. In the adjacent conference rooms, a photo exhibition showcases the impressive renovation work since the foundations were reestablished in 1991. The second floor is reserved for our changing special exhibitions, which provide insight into important themes of the foundation's history from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Passing through the art and natural history collections in the attic, you reach the balcony via a narrow wooden staircase. Here, a wide view opens up over the impressive ensemble with school buildings from three centuries. There is also a splendid panorama of the Old Town of Halle from here. In the basement, children can explore their own paths in the Krokoseum.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What power does the word have? For Halleschen Pietismus, the word was of central importance. On the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage, we show you how August Hermann Francke's reform movement could spread around the world.

Francke developed central reformative goals of Martin Luther's with Halleschen Pietismus. His approach was as clear as it was revolutionary: Every person should find God through their own Bible reading. However, for this to happen, everyone - boys and girls alike - had to learn to read, everyone should be able to afford their own Bible and it should be printed in their own native language. Therefore, Francke established schools for all social classes, printed millions of German-language People's Bibles, and created an international network through which the Bible was translated into many other languages. His educational initiative allowed a broad population to engage with the word. In the 18th-century evangelical parsonages, the authors of the Romantic and Enlightenment periods were highly regarded. A culture of self-reflection spread in Pietism, which was reflected in diaries and personal testimonies, giving us remarkable insights into the spiritual life of people of that time. Symbolically, the power of the word is also evident in the meticulously restored pulpit from the Church of St. Ulrich in Halle, where Francke preached from 1715 and which you can admire in the exhibition.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm