Münchner Kammerspiele, Schauspielhaus
Munich has always been a lively theater town. Thunderous applause can be heard somewhere every single day. Both up-and-coming artists and the world-famous are held in awe. Around 60 theaters, big and small, present the public with a choice between traditional and contemporary theater, opera, ballet, musicals or concerts. In musical theater, Munich is proud to be one of the few European cities with two venues, each with a different format: the tradition-rich Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) with the Staatsballett (State Ballet) and its great international charisma, and the charming Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (State Theater on Gärtnerplatz square), which has a somewhat lighter program.
Both venues also stage musicals and operettas. The State Theater is also the home of the city’s second large dance company, the Tanz Theater München (Munich Dance Theater), which is oriented towards modern dance.
Premieres by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss assured the Bavarian State Opera historical significance in the opera world. Nowadays the State Opera still impresses the residents of Munich. Every year, about 600,000 spectators visit about 350 presentations of opera, ballet, concerts and recitals. The annual highlight is the traditional Munich Opera Festival in July, with many glittering opera and ballet premieres.
The Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel (Bavarian State Drama Company) performances are no less glittering, be it classical or experimental. In three different venues – the Residenztheater, the Marstall and the Cuvilliéstheater – audiences can experience all facets of modern theater. Culture lovers can especially look forward to some interesting new productions in the 2011/2012 season when, after 28 years, artistic director Dieter Dorn is succeeded by Austrian director Martin Kušej. You should also definitely get to know the many private theaters in the city, especially the Blutenburgtheater, which has a truly killer program! Every evening, Kammertheater München, which has just moved to new premises, the Teamtheater Tankstelle and the Munich Marionettentheater, all use lots of imagination and a high degree of artistic skill to show their audience what non-subsidized theaters can do.
Even during the summer theater pause, Munich residents don’t have to go without the art enjoyment they’re used to. How about, for example, a performance of the Sommertheater (Summer Theater) in the English Garden?
Overview of Munich addresses
Bavarian
Cuvilliéstheater
Magical rococo theater that, after being closed for years due to renovations, ceremoniously reopened in June 2008 for the 850th anniversary of the city’s founding. It now provides the right framework for performances by the Bavarian State Drama Company and the State Opera.
›› Altstadt, Residenzstr. 1, Tel. 089 21 85 01, www.bayerischesstaatsschauspiel.de
Marstalltheater
One of the three Bavarian State Theater locations, variable seating arrangement, 99 seats.
›› Altstadt, Marstallplatz 5, Tel. 089 21 85 01, www.bayerischesstaatsschauspiel.de
Nationaltheater
Home of the Bavarian State Opera, orchestra and ballet, 2,100 seats, many new productions, more than half a million visitors every year.
›› Altstadt, Max-Joseph-Platz 2, Tickets: 089 21 85 19 20, www.bayerische.staatsoper.de
Prinzregententheater
Venue for August Everding’s Bavarian Theater Academy, the Bavarian State Opera, the State Theater on Gärtnerplatz and concerts. Beautiful amphitheater seating arrangement for an audience of more than 1000; also home productions.
›› Bogenhausen, Prinzregentenplatz 12, Tel. 089 21 85 28 99, www.prinzregententheater.de
Residenztheater
Principal home of the Bavarian State Theater, 900 seats, classical and contemporary productions, very popular.
›› Altstadt, Max-Joseph-Platz 1, Tel. 089 21 85 01, www.bayerischesstaatsschauspiel.de
Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz
This theater, built in 1864 , is as pretty as it is festive. A popular musical theater, it offers a varied program consisting of opera, operetta, musical and dance, including its own musical productions and a well-balanced program for children and families. From April 2012, productions will take place in the Prinzregententheater and the dance venue schwere reiter because of an urgently needed full renovation.
›› Isarvorstadt, Gärtnerplatz 3, Tel. 089 20 24 11, Tickets: 089 21 85 19 60, www.staatstheater-am-gaertnerplatz.de
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Municipal theaters
Deutsches Theater
Munich’s most tradition-rich guest-performance theater stages musicals, revues and dance produc-tions, and also sets new technical and service standards.
›› Schwanthaler Höhe, Schwanthaler Str. 13, Tel. 089 55 23 44 44, www.deutsches-theater.de
Münchner Kammerspiele
The Schauspielhaus with its recently renovated art nouveau auditorium is the main stage, additional performances at the Werkraum des Blauen Hauses with 170 seats and at the Neue Haus with 200 to 350 seats.
›› Schauspielhaus, Altstadt, Maximilianstr. 26-28
›› Werkraum, Hildegardstr. 1
›› Neues Haus, Falckenbergstr. 1 Tel. 089 23 39 66 00
›› www.muenchner-kammerspiele.de
Münchner Volkstheater
After a multipurpose hall was extensively renovated, the Volkstheater was opened in 1983. The 609 seats are usually well-filled: the audience loves the productions by young up-and-coming directors and guest concerts by international artists.
›› Maxvorstadt, Brienner Str. 50, Tel. 089 52 35 50, www.muenchner-volkstheater.de
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Independent theaters
Blutenburg-Theater
Germany’s first and only murder mystery theater, 100 seats, mostly dramatizations by Agatha Christie and Edgar Wallace.
›› Neuhausen, Blutenburgstr. 35, Tel. 089 123 43 00, www.blutenburg-theater.de
Das Schloss
Big tent in the Olympiaberg for up to 1,000 guests, varied program.
›› Neuhausen, Schwere-Reiter-Str. 15, Tel. 089 14 34 08 13, www.dasschloss-online.de
Galli Theater München
Romantic comedies by Johannes Galli plus a fairy tale program for children play in two different venues in Dachauer Straße and the Amalienpassage. Workshops give you the opportunity to act on stage yourself.
›› Maxvorstadt, Dachauerstr. 78, Tel. 089 780 783 14, www.galli.de
Georg Maiers Iberlbühne
Theater in Bavarian dialect in a cozy Bavarian restaurant, 103 seats, owned by Georg Maier, one-man playwright/director/actor, comedies and old Bavarian historical pieces. New from April 2010 is the Zwergerl-Bühne (munchkin stage), the first authentic children’s theater in Bavarian.
›› Solln, Wilhelm-Leibl-Str. 22, Tel. 089 79 42 14, www.iberlbuehne.de
i-camp/Neues Theater München
More than just a theater: i-camp offers freelance artists practice rooms for drama, dance, music, video art, visual art and digital media, non-serious and experimental; this has been done very successfully for more than 15 years. In addition, international festivals such as DANCE and SPIELART, as well as an extensive guest program, take place in i-camp´s premises.
›› Au, Entenbachstr. 37, Tel. 089 65 00 00, www.i-camp.de
Kammertheater München
The Kammertheater München recently moved to a new venue in Rosenheimer Straße. The program is still as good as in its old home with drama, children’s plays, readings and musical performances. It has a new Bar-Restaurant, suitably named Im Exil.
›› Haidhausen, Rosenheimer Str. 108 (Ecke Orleanstraße), Tel. 089 85 63 01 03, www.kammertheater-muenchen.de
Komödie im Bayerischen Hof
With 570 seats the only German theater of its size inside a luxury hotel, program of proven successes, works by young playwrights, musicals and comedies, from classical to modern, German stars such as Uschi Glas, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Heiner Lauterbach or Jochen Busse.
›› Altstadt, Promenadeplatz 6, Tel. 089 29 16 16 33, www.komoedie-muenchen.de
Metropoltheater
Named Germany’s best fringe theater in 2009. Own productions, film adaptations and discerning music theater, 140 seats.
›› Freimann, Floriansmühlstr. 5, Tel. 089 32 19 55 33, www.metropoltheater.com
Oberangertheater im Vollmarhaus
Larger theater for 250 guests and small studio stage for 40 guests. Offers theater, musicals, comedy, even street performers.
›› Altstadt, Oberanger 38 (right by Sendlinger Tor), Tel. 089 23 11 66 0, www.oberanger-theater.de
Sommertheater im Englischen Garten
Whether rain or shine, the Munich summer theater is definitely always worth a visit. Musically upbeat classics have been staged in the amphitheater of the English Gardens in July for over 20 years. The performances in September & October take place in the Mohr Villa in Freimann. In addition, guest performances by a wide variety of theater troupes enrich the existing program.
›› Amphitheater: Englischer Garten north, follow the signs there
›› Mohr Villa: Freimann, Situlistr. 73
›› Contact: Rümelinstr. 8, Tel. 089 98 93 88
›› www.muenchner-sommertheater.de
TamS Theater
Small backyard theater, contemporary and in-house productions with strange humour.
›› Schwabing, Haimhauser Str. 13a, Tel. 089 34 58 90, www.tamstheater.de
Teamtheater Tankstelle
Theater in a listed building of an old garage, 100 seats, classic and contemporary plays, international playwrights, French-language theater, readings, next door to the Teamtheater Comedy.
›› Altstadt, Am Einlaß 2a, Tel. 089 2 60 43 33
›› Am Einlaß 4, Tel. 089 2 60 66 36
›› www.teamtheater.de
Theater Blaue Maus
Small theater big enough for 50, modern society criticism, concerts, readings.
›› Neuhausen, Elvirastr. 17a, Tel. 089 18 26 94, www.theaterblauemaus.de
Theater Halle 7
Model project established in 2001 that offers jobless actors the opportunity twice a year to present themselves to a wide audience. With success, for first-class contemporary drama is still being shown here.
›› Berg am Laim, Kultfabrik, Fach 103, Grafinger Str. 2, Tel. 089 53 29 78 29, www.inkunst.de
Theater in der Au
Popular and people’s theater, Bavarian plays and murder mystery comedy in an intimate atmosphere.
›› Au, Am Herrgottseck 4, Tel. 089 44 11 84 54, www.theaterinderau.de
Theater...und so fort
Visiting theater and dancing groups, performs contemporary works, comedies, drama workshops, as well as a puppet theater for children. Since moving to its location in Schwabing, this theater now has its own restaurant and twice as many seats.
›› Schwabing-West, Kurfürstenstr. 8, Tel. 089 23 21 98 77, www.undsofort.de
Theater Viel Lärm um Nichts
Theater in the cultural center Pasinger Fabrik, classics and in-house productions.
›› Pasing, August-Exter-Str. 1, Tel. 089 834 20 14, www.theaterviellaermumnichts.de
, www.pasinger-fabrik.com
Wirtshaus zum Isartal
Fringe theater and music venue in a pub-restaurant with a program of popular theater, cabaret, musicals, jazz, drag shows.
›› Sendling, Brudermühlstr. 2, Tel. 089 77 21 21, www.wirtshaus-zum-isartal.de
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Comedy
Drehleier
199 seats, cabaret, concerts, second location at the cozy Szenerie.
›› Haidhausen, Rosenheimer Str. 123, Tel. 089 48 27 42, www.theater-drehleier.de
Heppel & Ettlich im Drugstore
Heppel & Ettlich found a new home in the heart of old Schwabing in 2009. Audiences are offered the tried and tested formula of satire, chansons and comedy on the upper floor of the Drugstore.
›› Schwabing, Feilitzschstr. 12, Tel. 089 38 88 78 20, www.heppel-ettlich.de
Kultur im Schlachthof
As a combination of theater and restaurant, the Schlachthof brings joy to the hearts of culture-hungry audiences. In the large hall and in the smaller room, you can enjoy cabaret, theater, readings and concerts.
›› Isarvorstadt, Zenettistr. 9, Ticket-Tel. 089 72 01 82 64, www.schlachthof.de
Münchner Lach- und Schießgesellschaft
Traditional Munich political cabaret with an unbeatable good ensemble; many guest performances.
›› Schwabing, Ursulastr. 9, Tel. 089 39 19 97, www.lachundschiess.de
Münchner Lustspielhaus
Very popular cabaret theater featuring stars such as Bruno Jonas and Willy Astor, cozy, opulent atmosphere with a 1930s design.
›› Schwabing, Occamstr. 8, Tel. 089 34 49 74, www.lustspielhaus.de
Theater im Fraunhofer
Political discussion club Voltaire, poetry group, literary-satirical-music sessions, open-stage, improvisation theater in a traditional ambience.
›› Isarvorstadt, Fraunhoferstr. 9, 089 Tel. 26 78 50, www.fraunhofertheater.de
Teamtheater Comedy
Tankstelle theater’s neighbor, seating for 64 at tables, cabaret and comedy.
›› Altstadt, Am Einlaß 4, Tel. 089 260 66 36, www.teamtheater.de
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Puppet theaters
Kleines Theater im Pförtnerhaus
Raise the curtain for Punch and Co., every Sunday and Wednesday for all children aged 3 and above.
›› Bogenhausen, Oberföhringerstr. 156, Tel. 089 95 31 25, www.kasperlbuehne.de
Marionettentheater Kleines Spiel
Volunteer puppeteers, puppet makers and vocalists perform for adults, admission is free, donations welcome. Performances begin at 8 pm every Thursday.
›› Maxvorstadt, Neureutherstr. 12 (entrance Arcisstraße), Tel. 089 272 33 64, www.kleinesspiel.de
Münchner Marionetten-Theater
For children, but also puts on evening performances for adults, for example operas by Mozart.
›› Altstadt, Blumenstr. 32, Tel. 089 26 57 12, www.muenchner-marionettentheater.de
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Theater for kids & teens
Schauburg am Elisabethplatz
Municipal children’s and youth theater; around 300 performances annually, popular among young and old.
›› Schwabing, Franz-Joseph-Str. 47, Tel. 089 233-3 71 55, www.schauburg.net
Theater für Kinder
Very varied program, all the classics from Sleeping Beauty to Pippi Longstocking.
›› Maxvorstadt, Dachauer Str. 46, Tel. 089 59 54 54, www.muenchner-theater-fuer-kinder.de
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Magic theater
Münchner Zaubertheater
›› Altstadt, Kreuzstr. 3b (Asam Hof), Tel. 089 37 97 95 53
www.zaubertheater-muenchen.de
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Variety
GOP Varieté-Theater
Located since 2008 in the small Komödie am Max II, the fifth variety theater of the successful GOP Entertainment Group provides an unusual synthesis of the arts, consisting of world-class performances, music, chanson and culinary expertise. When buying tickets, you can book shows with or without a meal, but always with a lot of fantasy and ready to fulfill the highest demands!
›› Altstadt, Maximilianstr. 47, Tel. 089 21 02 88 444, www.gop-entertainment-group.de
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English-language theaters
Amerika Haus
English language plays. In addition, many other cultural offerings in English, such as lectures, discussions, seminars, exhibits, concerts, literature readings and films.
›› Maxvorstadt, Karolinenplatz 3, Tel. 089 55 25 370, www.amerikahaus.de
BeMe Theatre
Alternative, English-speaking theater with focus on socio-critical pieces. Venues include the Einstein Kulturzentrum Haidhausen and the Amerika Haus.
›› Tickets: Tel. 089 38 53 77 66, www.bemetheatre.com
English Comedy Club
Regular part of Munich’s comedy scene, either a solo comedian or a mix of English-speaking and German artists perform in English.
›› Isarvorstadt, Substanz, Ruppertstr. 28, Tel. 0 151/56 61 34 51, www.englishcomedyclub.de
Entity
Founded by Danny Strike and Alison Sandford in 1999, participants have time to develop, experiment, and have fun, no auditions. Workshop participants are invited to perform.
›› Info: Tel. 0 700/36 84 89 00, www.entitytheatre.com
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