Studio 54
Reginaldo Oliveira / Vincenzo Veneruso
Synopsis
The nightclub Studio 54 in New York City was known for its wild parties in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its extravagant atmosphere full of vibrant energy and its hedonistic spirit made the location the nightlife epicentre of the metropolis.
The guests, many of whom were celebrities, came to enjoy the music and go with the flow in a space that celebrated individuality and showmanship. The dancefloor of Studio 54 was a place of unhindered expression, a melting pot of fashion, music and personalities. Frequently dressed in daring, glamorous outfits, the partygoers swayed to pulsing beats in a colourful environment, and the glittering of the disco balls further enhanced their feelings of exhilaration. Thanks to its inclusive atmosphere, the club enabled people from all layers of society to come together and participate in the cultural revolution of the times.
Yet the careless exuberance which tested the very limits of arts, music and social norms also had its dark side. True to the slogan “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll”, patrons of the “modern Gomorrah” indulged in excessive permissiveness and ecstatic orgies. Studio 54 remained legendary even after it closed down in 1986.
At the rehearsal centre Aigen, two choreographers with very different styles will immerse themselves in this era of pop culture, whose zeitgeist was defined by dancing and fashion as much as by the iconic music itself, and will personally explore the phenomenon of “disco”.
Salzburg audiences have been familiar with Reginaldo Oliveira’s work as a choreographer for years. Especially his narrative ballets, such as “Othello”, “Anna Karenina” and “Romeo and Juliette”, were received with much acclaim. His latest successes include “Lili, the Danish Girl”, “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Frida’s World”.
Young choreographer Vincenzo Veneruso, a rising star from Naples, has lately attracted much attention at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. He has contributed choreographies to the International Ballet Gala in Salzburg and will now create his first piece for the ballet ensemble of the Salzburg State Theatre.
Duration: 1h 50 min / one intermission
We offer introductory talks 30 minutes ahead of each performance.
Note: Strobe-like lighting effects are used in the production.
Reviews
„Reginaldo Oliveira nimmt dieses Spiel mit Erwartungen zu Beginn seines neuen Tanzstücks auf. Aus dem Hinsteuern auf die Songs von Donna Summer oder den Bee Gees entwickelt er einen Spannungsbogen, den er für 50 Minuten aufrechterhält. Der Chefchoreograf des Salzburger Landestheaters besitzt ein goldenes Händchen für die Übersetzung von Popmusik in Tanzbewegungen.“
„Die Kostüme der 70er Jahre von Cécile Flamand weckten nostalgische Erinnerungen, während klassisches Ballett mit Spitzentanz nahtlos in pulsierende Disco-Rhythmen überging. Pirouetten, Pas de deux und spektakuläre Hebefiguren trafen auf ironisch inszenierte Karaoke-Momente. [...] Im zweiten Teil, „Last Dance?“, verlagerte Oliveira den Fokus in die Gegenwart. Tanz wurde hier zur wortlosen, aber eindringlichen Sprache sozialer Begegnung. Ausdrucksstarke Akrobatik, weite Sprünge und eine große Bewegungsfreiheit bestimmten das Geschehen.“
„Das Revival fällt unwiderstehlich aus. Nicht nur, weil die Playlist mit den Hits von Donna Summer, Village People & Co auch den Nachgeborenen blitzartig in die Beine fährt. Vielmehr lässt die Inszenierung eine Gesellschaftsvision aufglühen, die auch im „Studio 54“ gelebt wurde: Befreiung von den Fesseln der Konvention, existenzielle Vielfalt mit Akzent auf Selbstverwirklichung, Eskapismus, Exzess.“
Selected performance
Sa 05/02/2026 07.00 pm
Probenzentrum Aigen
Performances
Tu 05/19/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Th 05/21/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Fr 05/22/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Sa 05/30/2026 07.00 pm Tickets
Su 05/31/2026 07.00 pm Tickets
Tu 06/02/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Fr 06/05/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Su 06/07/2026 03.00 pm Tickets
We 06/10/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Fr 06/12/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Tu 06/16/2026 07.30 pm Tickets
Audio introduction
von Armin Frauenschuh und Jonathan Unterweger
Cast (on 05/02/2026)
THE RISE
Choreography
Vincenzo Veneruso
Stage Design
Matthias Kronfuss
Costume Design
Cécile Flamand
LAST DANCE?
Choreography
Reginaldo Oliveira
Stage Design
Matthias Kronfuss
Costume Design
Reginaldo Oliveira
-
Choreographic Rehearsal
Alexandr Korobko
-
THE RISE
Excentric cub owner
Samuel Pellegrin
Glamourous club owner
Ben van Beelen
Bouncer
Andrea Porro
Quinn Roy
Waitress
Elsa Le Breton
Waiter
Matteo Rondinelli
The Country Singer
Anna Yanchuk
The Rock Star
Yannick Neuffer
Lucas Leonardo
His girlfriend
Mikino Karube
The Artist
Oliver Hoddinott
The Drag Queen
Cassiano Rodrigues
Disco Granny
Karine de Matos
Chigusa Fujiyoshi
The clubgoers
Gala Lara
Valbona Bushkola
Annachiara Corti
Andrea Porro
Quinn Roy
Sara Zinna
Cassiano Rodrigues
Lucas Leonardo
Policewoman
Sara Zinna
Annachiara Corti
Policeman
Andrea Porro
Oliver Hoddinott
LAST DANCE?
Ensemble
Valbona Bushkola
Annachiara Corti
Oliver Hoddinott
Mikino Karube
Gala Lara
Elsa Le Breton
Yannick Neuffer
Samuel Pellegrin
Cassiano Rodrigues
Matteo Rondinelli
Ben van Beelen
Anna Yanchuk
Quinn Roy
Lucas Leonardo
