Ciao Bella

© SLT / Tobias Witzgall

Ciao Bella

Marco Dott

Jukebox musical

World Premiere: 23 April 2027 / Studio 1, Rehearsal Centre Aigen

Synopsis

Let’s go to Italy! It seems like a spur-of-the-moment decision when Peter announces one lovely, sunny day that he wants to drive his Vespa to Naples – he is retired, after all, and he certainly deserves a short vacation. There is only one problem: If he wants to go on a trip, he will have to take his granddaughter Laura with him.

Peter and Laura could not be more different: He is a baby boomer, she is a member of Generation Z; he is an analogue epicure, she is a social media expert. The reluctant travel companions head off towards the south, and as they explore landscape and culture, they also rediscover each other. While Laura experiences her very own coming-of-age story (including her first crush), Peter learns to say goodbye and to appraise the past from a conciliatory perspective. Because his destination means more to him than he is prepared to tell his granddaughter …

A smart and energetic summer road movie unfolds as the unlikely pair travel through different regions as well as diverse musical genres. From 1970s Italian pop music to current hit songs, the two protagonists put forth a broad range of music, and of course they also encounter other people, melodies and stories along the way. Together, they create the soundtrack of a summer filled with passion, joie de vivre and longing.

Italian pop music is the epitome of feel-good music! Its catchy tunes, warm Mediterranean sound and often romantic lyrics remind us of summer, the sea and carefree moments. The music combines playfulness with deep emotions and invites us to sing along – contemporary artists such as Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and Umberto Tozzi, as well as the Italian hits of the 20th century, immediately make us feel as if we were on vacation.

Manuel Lauerer works as a pianist and piano conductor for opera and musical productions. He provides a sparkling summer soundtrack for the jukebox musical “Ciao Bella”. Director and actor Marco Dott has created the script and directs the play. He has written the scripts for many of his productions and has proved his fine instincts for music theatre with “The Rocky Horror Show” and “The Little Magic Flute”.