License:
Available for World Premiere (UA)
Cast:
2 Female
3 Male
1 Non-binary
Ensemble (1F, 1M)
2 Female
3 Male
1 Non-binary
Ensemble
(1D, 1H)
Band:
Band
LADY BY NIGHT
In der Nacht ist man(n) einfach anders
Book
Thomas Neuwerth
Music
Johannes Astecker PFS
Lyrics
Anja Ruge
Kilian Berger jun.
Thomas Neuwerth
The musical comedy LADY BY NIGHT tells the story of Nino, who is stuck in a dull gay relationship and, despite being a vegan, works in the marketing department of a wholesale meat company – both of which leave him deeply frustrated. His boss, the operetta-singing great-granddaughter of pig breeder Zsupán from THE GYPSY BARON, contributes to his misery just as much as his partner Raoul. Fortunately, there is Xhemal, who is non-binary and with whom Nino is secretly in love, as well as Nino’s best friend Petra, who also serves as the show’s narrator. Bar owner Riccardo, known for his macho remarks and for hosting weekly drag shows at his club, is also friends with Nino and Raoul. When Nino discovers that Raoul has been cheating on him, he decides to change his life and revive his career as a drag queen – a career he had abandoned more than ten years earlier under tragic circumstances. After his first performance at Riccardo’s club, the career of Nina Carmina, Nino’s drag persona, takes off spectacularly. But, of course, success does not come without its share of turmoil.
Audio Samples:
Loqka Jem
Vocals: AMY
Lyrics: Anja Ruge
Music: Johannes Astecker, Anja Ruge, Roun Zieverink
Die Männer und Ich
Vocals: Kilian Berger jr.
Lyrics: Kilian Berger jr.
Music: Johannes Astecker
LADY BY NIGHT
In der Nacht ist man(n) einfach anders
Book
Thomas Neuwerth
Music
Johannes Astecker PFS
Lyrics
Anja Ruge
Kilian Berger jun.
Thomas Neuwerth
Die Musical-Comedy „Lady by Night“ ist die Geschichte von Nino, der in einer langweiligen schwulen Beziehung lebt und (obwohl Veganer) im Marketing eines Fleischgroßhandel arbeitet, was ihn beides frustriert. Seine Chefin, die operettensingende Urenkelin von Schweinezüchter Zsupán aus dem „Zigeunerbaron“ hat daran ebenso Anteil wie sein Partner Raoul. Zum Glück gibt es noch die non-binäre Xhemal, in die Nino heimlich verliebt ist, und Ninos beste Freundin Petra, die auch als Erzählerin des Stücks fungiert. Der Barbesitzer Riccardo, der durch seine Macho-Sprüche auffällt und in dessen Club allwöchentlich Drag-Shows stattfinden, ist ebenfalls mit Nino und Raoul befreundet, Als Nino erkennt, dass Raoul ihn betrügt, beschließt er sein Leben zu ändern und seine Karriere als Dragqueen, die er vor mehr als 10 Jahren aus tragischen Gründen beendet hatte, wieder zu beleben. Nach seinem ersten Auftritt im Club von Riccardo schießt die Karriere von Nina Carmina, wie sich Nino als Drag nennt, durch die Decke. Doch das geht natürlich nicht ohne Turbulenzen von Statten.
License:
Available for World Premiere (UA)
Cast:
2 Female
3 Male
1 Non-binary
Ensemble (1F, 1M)
Band:
Band
Audio Samples:
Loqka Jem
Vocals: AMY
Lyrics: Anja Ruge
Music: Johannes Astecker, Anja Ruge, Roun Zieverink
Die Männer und Ich
Vocals: Kilian Berger jr.
Lyrics: Kilian Berger jr.
Music: Johannes Astecker
Creative Team
Thomas Neuwerth
Book, Lyrics
Johannes Astecker
Music
Johannes Astecker grew up in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria and began making music and writing songs at an early age. After teaching himself to play the piano as a teenager and taking singing lessons at music school, he studied pop music at the Institute of Music in Osnabrück from 2017 to 2021.
He currently lives in Vienna, where he is working on his first EP. Johannes writes his lyrics in the dialect of his home region, creating a bridge between pop and tradition, city and countryside, and younger and older generations. His music appeals to a broad and diverse audience, bringing people together and creating a sense of community.
In addition to his work as a singer, he is also active as a composer in musical theatre and contributes to the development of new musicals, including LADY BY NIGHT. He also works as a vocal coach for pop singing within Upper Austria’s state music school system, passing on his experience as a singer and artist to the next generation.
https://www.johannesmusik.at
https://www.instagram.com/johannes.astecker
https://www.youtube.com/@johannes.astecker
https://www.facebook.com/johannes.musik
Anja Ruge
Lyrics
Anja grew up in Munich and discovered her love of music, dance and poetry at an early age. She began classical ballet at the age of five and, over the years, expanded her skills to include styles such as hip-hop, jazz, modern dance and pole dance. While still at school, she wrote poems and other texts and created her first school play, which she subsequently brought to the stage.
Despite her creative side, she chose to study nautical science. During her career as a deck officer, she served aboard various passenger ships. Alongside her professional duties, she also had the opportunity to appear on stage in presentations and crew events for passengers.
Anja now lives in Hamburg. As a creative counterbalance to her professional career, she enjoys writing her own songs at the piano in her spare time. She also performs as a poetry slammer at various events in Hamburg and occasionally appears on stage as a guest rapper with a Hamburg-based band. With LADY BY NIGHT, she is now taking the next major step in her career as a lyricist.
Kilian Berger jun.
Lyrics
Kilian Berger comes from Styria and discovered his artistic talent at an early age through learning to play various musical instruments and singing in the school choir.
After training as a musical theatre performer at the Performing Center Austria in Vienna, he went on to appear in numerous productions across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. His roles have included Gabe in NEXT TO NORMAL at Vienna’s English Theatre and Mercedes in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Bühne Baden. Most recently, he appeared at the Volksoper Wien in LASS UND DIE WELT VERGESSEN and WEST SIDE STORY.
In film, Kilian played the lead role of the young Rex in Rosa von Praunheim’s docudrama REX GILDO – DER LETZTE TANZ. For his performance, he was nominated for the 2022 Förderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino in the acting category. Alongside his work as a performer, Kilian also writes poetry and song lyrics. LADY BY NIGHT marks his first project as a musical theatre lyricist.
Anja Ruge
Lyrics
Anja grew up in Munich and discovered her love of music, dance and poetry at an early age. She began classical ballet at the age of five and, over the years, expanded her skills to include styles such as hip-hop, jazz, modern dance and pole dance. While still at school, she wrote poems and other texts and created her first school play, which she subsequently brought to the stage.
Despite her creative side, she chose to study nautical science. During her career as a deck officer, she served aboard various passenger ships. Alongside her professional duties, she also had the opportunity to appear on stage in presentations and crew events for passengers.
Anja now lives in Hamburg. As a creative counterbalance to her professional career, she enjoys writing her own songs at the piano in her spare time. She also performs as a poetry slammer at various events in Hamburg and occasionally appears on stage as a guest rapper with a Hamburg-based band. With LADY BY NIGHT, she is now taking the next major step in her career as a lyricist.