Lale Andersen and the Story of Lili Marleen in Bremerhaven
The Stadttheater Bremerhaven is marking the city’s 200th anniversary with a large, colorful musical drama centered on the life of Lale Andersen. The production, which held a free preview on November 3, 2026, chronicles the singer’s transformation from the young Liselotte to the global icon behind the wartime hit “Lili Marleen.”
Bernd Mottl Leads Large Drama with Music
The play is described as a “large, colorful drama with music.” Director Bernd Mottl leads a creative team including stage and costume designer Friedrich Eggert, choreographer Christoph Jonas, and video designer Jörn Hartmann. The musical direction is handled by Kai Tietje, with performances supported by the Philharmonisches Orchester Bremerhaven and the Ballett des Staatstheaters Bremerhaven.
The narrative structure spans the singer’s life across several decades. It follows her journey to Zurich, where she meets the composer Rolf Liebermann, and her subsequent return to Germany to reinvent herself as Lale Andersen. The plot explores the professional and personal friction caused by the international success of “Lili Marleen” during the Nazi era, contrasting her public persona with her private life as Liselotte.
Kerstin Ibald Portrays Lale Andersen and Lili Marleen
The production employs a multi-generational approach to the lead role. Kerstin Ibald portrays Lale Andersen and the persona of Lili Marleen. Lotta Hackbeil is cast as the young Liselotte, while Ulrike Knospe appears as the older version of the character. The supporting ensemble includes Marsha B. Zimmermann in the roles of Lieselott Wilke and Simke, and Henning Z. Bäcker, who portrays multiple figures including a Nazi official and a KDF-Conférencier.
John Mainwaring Documented Lives of Influential Composers
The tradition of documenting the lives of influential composers dates back to the 18th century, with the work of John Mainwaring on George Frideric Handel cited as the first classic musician biography. Mainwaring’s account, later translated and annotated by Johann Mattheson, frames Handel as a “musical universalist” and the first pop star in music history, bridging the gap between artistic creation and the business of managing music production.
The show explores how Andersen’s career was mediated by the political climate of the 1930s and 40s.
Upcoming Performance Schedule
Following the November 3, 2026, preview, the production moves into its regular run. Performances are scheduled throughout the winter and spring, including dates on November 13, 2026, and extending into 2027 with shows on January 16, January 30, February 18, and April 23. Special holiday performances are set for December 27 and December 31, 2026.
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