The Japanese word 開花 (Kaika), along with the concept of blooming, is the theme of TANZ_KASSEL's season. Kaika is composed of the characters 開 (opening, unfolding) and 花 (flower) and means flowering or blossoming. It describes the moment when a flower opens its bud and blooms in all its glory. This meaning can be understood both literally and metaphorically—as a symbol of growth, unfolding, and the beginning of something new. It becomes a metaphor for life, which blossoms amidst death and decay but can never last. A fleeting moment of elevation that is inevitably swallowed by darkness.

The Whole And Its Parts (at)

Staatstheater Kassel

Based on the hit film of the same name starring Jack Black, Andrew Lloyd Webber's rousing rock musical follows struggling singer Dewey Finn, who is kicked out of his band just before a competition. To at least pay the rent, Dewey pretends to be a substitute teacher and, without actually knowing anything about math or any other school subjects, ends up at an elite school. What he does know a lot about, however, is music! As homework, he assigns his students to listen to music by bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath – which, much to the headmistress's chagrin, becomes the soundtrack to everyday school life.

School of Rock

To the world-famous strains of Verdi's triumphal march, Kassel's new opera ship sets sail on its voyage through the ocean of the global market and the shallows of its global crises. What begins as a sensual cruise on our theatrical stage tanker in Kassel's new INTERIM venue will soon become the benchmark for a future of experiential music theater. And no sooner have we set sail than some are already grumbling that the boat is full, while others are demanding new defensive capabilities to preserve the current prosperity on deck.

Despite its crew of over 200 people—including the chorus, extra chorus, and supernumeraries, the state orchestra, the stage orchestra, the famous six distant trumpets, and the international cast of outstanding soloists—this musical ship of dreams is already listing badly on its maiden voyage with Giuseppe Verdi's Aida . For it soon becomes clear that Verdi's ecstatic love story is primarily a parable of European imperialism—especially in the popular choral scenes with their biting musical jabs at the war-mongering Prussian military and its blind obedience. This imperialistic quest for a place in the sun evokes memories of the German Empire, forcibly founded by Prussia in 1871, the year of the premiere, which is now confined to the walls of the Kassel Jägerkaserne, built in 1910. On its former parade ground, the new INTERIM of the formerly Prussian, now Hessian State Theatre Kassel will open in autumn 2025 with Verdi's monumental work.

Jurgen Kolb

Events

Past events

Mar 13 - Apr 30, 2026

The Whole And Its Parts (at) · Staatstheater Kassel

8 - 23 Mar, 2026

School of Rock · Staatstheater Kassel

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