We Will Rock You – Colosseum Essen 21.06.2013

The Cast this time was very promising. In my 4th show in Essen, I would FINALLY get to see Brigitte Oelke as Killer Queen, after missing her 3 times before. And I was not disappointed; I think it’s safe to say this was the most mindblowing german WWRY show I’ve ever seen. But from the beginning.

My seat was in the 1st row, just centimetres away from the stage, and I thought it was amazing. Sure, sometimes, especially during “Kind Of Magic”, when the KQ & Khashoggi are on this platform that rotates over the audience, I had to almost strain my neck to look up, but it didn’t take any of the magic away for me. Moreover, Brigitte was looking down at me fiercely more than once – that woman can scare little kids! No need to say that she’s perfect for that role, that her voice was killing me and gave me loads of goosebumps that night.

And Christopher Brose & Jeannine Michele Wacker again…they were on FIRE that night! I have never seen Jeannine better than this, her voice was perfect, the notes she hit were so powerful, and Chris…well, he definitely enjoyed that night so much. He outgrew himself, his performing was so amazing! Of course, I was a bit sad to see Andrea Sanchez Del Solar wasn’t on as Ozzy, but it was good that Anna Lidman was back on stage after her sudden deafness; her voice was amazing, one that you don’t hear often.

There was this small part just before the Bohemians defeat the KQ, when Bap asks the audience if anyone wants to see his tits, and Scaramouche tells him to shut up, where Scara rummages at her guitar, and when Jeannine said those words this time, you heard the laughter in her voice, and her entire face was a big grin; it was great to see that Leon as Bap caught up with this like it was part of the show. And he was amazing, even better than I knew him, and there was this moment when I was thinking about something really ridiculous: I had NEVER seen any of the actors on stage sneezing! Don’t ask me what was going on in my head, but I was really wondering how they manage that…and then there was the scene in the Arena of the Champions, and Leon was standing in the back while Chris & Jeannine were in the front, completely in their scene – and Leon sneezed! It was so surreal, and you could hear it loudly through his microphone, even as he said “Sorry” to no one in particular. It was even funnier as for several seconds, he tried to pull himself together while laughing about himself (with Chris & Jeannine catching that up and starting to laugh, too) – it was hilarious!

Oh, and the crowd – holy mother, WHAT A CROWD! Everyone was on fire, they all cheered and laughed and clapped, it was even better than last week. I had some pretty annoying swiss people right next to me, two real WWRY fans, and I know it’s part of the show, and I love it, when people cheer loud and all…but I had my reasons for wanting to slap them more than once when they started cheering when the songs weren’t even over. I hate that. Anyways, they were kind of nice, and during “We Are The Champions” they gave Chris the huge flag they had brought with them, and he used it  on stage, swung it around him; then a girl that I got to know over Instagram a few days earlier, Rebecca, waved Jeannine over to her and threw two little plush toys on stage, one for her and one for Chris, and they both played with them during the song, which was so touching; I think I actually saw Chris being really really touched by that gesture. Me, personally, I loved these little things.

After the show, of course, I went straight to the Stage Door, and this time, it would be actually crowded around there; as time passed, more and more people showed up, actors came out one by one so it was hard to focus on everybody and get pictures with the ones you wanted (therefor, I missed Chris, as he was talking to Rebecca, and also, I missed Markus & Leon; Markus seemed to be more focused on the two swiss people, and I felt like the third wheel, so I turned away). Anyways, first person to come out was Stuart Sumner, who plays Understudy for Galileo and also Mick Jagger. He had also been Understudy for Tarzan in Hamburg a few years back, and after hearing how amazing he must be as Galileo, I regretted that I neither had seen him in Hamburg nor now in Essen; both shows I will do before they leave, he won’t be on, sadly. Anyways, he was really kind and lovely, we talked like old friends, and when I asked him if they knew whether they’d be coming back, he looked at me really shattered and said that it was planned that they’re going to be back next year, but nothing was for sure yet, and also nobody knew when or where it would be.

Victor Baretto came out next, and he directly walked up to me, Rebecca & her mother as if we knew each other for a long time when I shouted “Bob!” and hugged us. I told him how damn good he smelled (that night, my stupid blabbering was ridiculous -.-) Such a lovely person! He was so nice, and when he and Rebecca found out they were from the same country – Brazil – AND born in the same town – Brazilia -, I turned myself a bit away, because I didn’t understand any of their portuguese *lol*

Nikolas Heiber, the guy who plays Madonna, came out next, and after I was first a bit taken aback by how goddamn GORGEOUS he is, I smiled at him when he looked at me and shouted “Madonna!”, and he came up to me, stopped right infront of me, and said: “This is the first woman who actually RECOGNIZED ME!” Everyone around was laughing, and I was telling him that of course I had recognized him, because I had been sitting right infront of his face the entire time. Then I had to tell him how GOOD he smelled, and by that time, Rebecca had already said that he was looking SO good, and he laughed and thanked us. When I also asked him about coming back next year, I could see in his gestures and the mimic in his face and his tone that he was really shattered and down that they’re leaving after only 10 weeks, that he really wished they would’ve stayed longer. It was really sad and touching to see that everyone of the Cast members loves this show and their work on it so much!

While I was talking to Niko, I saw Anna coming out, and I hated to miss out on her again, so I called her, walked over to her and complimented her on a great show, saying I was glad she was back (yes, I know she’s not my favourite, but she was sick, and what kind of person wishes this on anybody? I know she loves the job, she’s amazing, so she deserves to be okay and back on stage). Soon it got awkward, since I was blabbering away in german, until she said “Sorry” and I realized she understood even less german than I thought. I then told her that I’m really sad about June 30th being the last show, and she smiled shyly, saying that she was glad she won’t be alone on stage that day, because she would just be a sobbing mess. I didn’t think she was THAT nice, that I would really like her, but now I do 🙂

Next one…Jeannine. She was already out, talking with Rebecca, and I kind of just jumped into their conversation. I was telling her that I also had some special farewell gift for her and Chris, but they wouldn’t get it before Dernière day, and she thanked me, saying that I was so sweet for thinking about something like that. I then told her I will be back 2 more times, that I sadly miss her on tuesday, as I booked before knowing it was her day off, but that I was looking forward to it anyways and that I would see her again on June, 30th, though I was a bit scared (due to the fact that in this show, I already had tears in my eyes during certain songs, thinking about the end). Before she left, she hugged me again, but somehow, just before it was MY turn to leave, I went up to a girl I knew over facebook, Christin, and Jeannine was still standing there, talking to them, and she was quite surprised we knew each other. We then talked about this and that, unnecessary facebook friends, that we hoped that every of the last show should be as that one has been, and she told us she had to go home to practice a bit. When I told her: “You?! For what?! You don’t need any practice!”, she told us that it was for an audition, and we ended up joking about roles that seem not to be made for her age (Phantom & an old lady). It was actually like we all knew each other for years; she was so lovely and kind, and, before she left, hugged everyone of us tightly. Love her to pieces, in case you didn’t know already 😉

Last person I finally got a hold of was Brigitte, and it was so surreal to talk to her about grocery shopping in the end! I told her that I had missed her 3 times before and I really had wanted to see her as KQ, because one of my friends had seen her in that role and thought she was perfect for it (of course, I was blabbering such stupid stuff that night that I actually told her my friend totally dislikes the show because it’s too weird and crazy, and I can tell you, I’m SO sorry today for the shocked glare that showed up on Brigitte’s face!) Thankfully, she’ll be KQ the last two shows that I’m going to be part of, so I hope I can make it up to her somehow!

Resumé: despite the two loud swiss people who sometimes annoyed the hell out of me, the entire crowd at the Colosseum that night were flawless, rocking Bohemians, the Cast was totally on fire, and the show was one of the most memorable moments of my life!

We Will Rock You – Colosseum Essen 14.06.2013

And back again for my third time at the german version of “We Will Rock You”…and man, I can tell you, was I nervous! It would be the first time one of my friends finally joined me; she had neither read about the storyline nor the songs – NOTHING. And she had told me that she was expecting to NOT like it – yeah don’t make me feel too good here, will you?

Anyways, before the show started, I was literally bouncing in my seat, I was talking like the Niagara Falls, and the grin on my face must’ve been wide enough to include everyone in the room. Moreover, my favourite Galileo & Scaramouche were on again – Christopher Brose & Jeannine Michele Wacker, plus, I had talked to Andrea Sanchez Del Solar over the last couple of days and had gotten the confirmation that morning that she would be on as Ozzy again – perfect! When we reached the theatre, I already saw that I would also have yet another Killer Queen, my third one (Isabel Trinkaus, a german one finally *lol*) and another Bap, Stefan Müller-Ruppert. And I have to say, he wasn’t my fave, I just love Leon too much in that role, but he was great anyways. Just a little old man that you have to like, because he’s so cuddly 🙂

Of course, Jeannine & Chris killed it again. And due to an absolute amazing audience – it was almost like I was sitting at the Dominion in London; everyone was clapping and cheering and laughing at the right spots, etc., – every actor on stage that night really had a hard time. When it came to the part of the show where Galileo imitates Brit as he prepares to prove he’s the dreamer, where all these weird sounds and noises come out of his mouth and his movements are just hilarious, the entire room was giggling and laughing, and Chris seriously had to pull everything together to not burst out laughing on stage; I loved how the corner of his lips went up and at the same time, you could actually see him think: “No, stop it, you just can’t, stop it, will you?!” And everyone else on stage – Jeannine, Markus & Andrea, – turned their heads away from him, because otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to pull themselves together – loved it! I don’t know why, but it seemed to me that in that show, everyone was clicking so much better than anytime before, they had so much fun performing, singing and playing together, and it was a real family-like feeling.

Thankfully, I had yet some another wonderful memories that I will probably take to my grave with me one day *lol*:

1. Just after “Play The Game” was done, my friend, who I was so scared of looking at during the entire show, tapped me and just said 6 little words that completely made my night, if nothing else (in english, it’s 8 words, sorry^^): “This is so much more amazing than Tarzan!” Coming from her, with next to no expectations at all for “WWRY”, this meant the world to me. She was laughing and clapping the entire time and I just felt myself easing as the show went on, because I knew it had been the right decision to ask her to accompany me.

2. During “Who Wants To Live Forever”, almost at the end, when Galileo & Scaramouche stand on stage, Chris embracing Jeannine from behind, my friend pinched my arm hard, and when I looked at her, I knew she was LOVING it. She was loving the romance in that song, moreover, she loved the voices to pieces, and she thought it was beautiful. It sounds weird, but I felt so honoured she felt like it, almost as if it was me standing on stage and singing for her – she really loved what had become my life recently.

3. “We Will Rock You” – the moment that I’m always excited for the most – at least when I’m sitting right handed from the stage, close to the front. I knew that Scaramouche – Jeannine – would stand right infront of me, and my eyes were – pathetic, I know, now shut it – glued to her face the entire time when she started playing the guitar chords to the song. And in that moment were she really felt the song, looking into the audience to make sure everyone is stomping and clapping along with the music, – she spotted me in my seat, smiled and winked at me, and I hope to God my friend hasn’t seen the biggest grin growing on my face (that could make her jump to the wrong conclusions *lol*).

4. “We Are The Champions” – probably the one song of the show that I completely forget to give a shit about if I embarass myself infront of everyone in the audience. As I was singing every song along for the entire 3 hours, it was only natural to sing that one song along, too. As Chris sung the first few notes, I looked over to my friend, making a very clear gesture with my hand: palm upside, pushing them up and down again – I wanted her and me to be the first to give the Cast their deserved Standing Ovations. But my friend was too shy, and I sat there, staring at Chris singing and enjoying every bit of the song, and I just thought: “Fuck it!” and got up as the only person in the entire audience. Chris’ face instantly turned around to me, and he had the biggest grin ever on his face. He pointed with his left hand onto me, smiling, silently thanking and giving me an imaginative High Five with it, and again – the smile on my face must’ve looked ridiculous. I barely noticed everyone else standing up just after me, including my friend, who only seemed to have waited for me to be the first, because I was so focused on Chris and the others singing. I also noticed Jeannine looking over to me during that song, smiling, and she nodded at me, probably silently thanking me too, and I knew how much it meant to both of them and everyone on stage that I stood up and gave way for everyone else’s Standing Ovations.
Then something really heartbreaking happened: I was looking at Jeannine, suddenly realizing that she had gotten really emotional – she had started crying while still being on stage! Her eyes had started to go reddish, and I saw a few tears streaming down her face, and at one point, just before the first Curtain Call, she started shaking her head from one side to another to shake off her emotions and tears. It was really touching, and I myself had to pull myself together, fighting against the urge to run up on stage and hug this little person. And my thought was: “If she’s crying NOW, how is she going to survive the very last show in 16 days?!” Please don’t let me think about it. Seriously. Don’t.

6. Just before the very last Curtain Call, after “Bohemian Rhapsody”, everyone was coming up to the edge of the stage, taking their bows, waving and thanking the audience, and instead of Jeannine it was now Andrea who stood right infront of me; again, my eyes were glued to the front, trying to catch her eye, and as she was letting her view wander around in the room (and just before the Curtain fell down, seriously, couldn’t have been more than a few short seconds!), her eyes caught sight of me. The light of recognition flickered up in them, she started smiling widely and waved at me, and me, startled as I was, just realized in time what was happening to wave back at her – so surreal!

Well, after the show, right off to the Stage Door (with an old guy behind me saying “Oh, there’s someone who has to get her train”, as I shoved my way past him; yeah, sure, my TRAIN *lol*). There I was with my friend, and we both were the only ones waiting (I’m so glad I wasn’t there alone, as I had always had at least ONE person to be there to take my pictures and all!). It actually felt like hours until Andrea finally came out as one of the last ones (or at least one of the last/only ones I did recognize). Still walking through the corridor, when she spotted me, I saw the biggest smile on her face as she came up to me. She pulled me into her arms, hugging me, shaking my friend’s hand and when we three talked it was like I knew her for years, which was so surreal, considering this was the first time I saw her face to face, talked to her. She was so nice and patient, and I told her how happy I was that she had been on that night, that I was glad I had had the luck to come to the show just when Anna Lidman (First Cast Ozzy) had become sick – though of course, this doesn’t mean I wish her any bad! You just have your favourites, right? Sadly, Andrea didn’t know if she’d be on the next friday, when I would be back, but I said that I’ll cross my fingers for that, because I just loved her performance again. Before she had to leave to pick up her boyfriend, we took a quick picture (with the amazing Robert Lindemann in the background, such an amazing guitar hero 😉 )- which I love to pieces, seriously, – she hugged me and my friend again and left. Words can express how much I adore this little person!

While I was talking to Andrea, I saw Chris coming out, and scared of missing out on him (he looked like he was actually about to leave immediately), I shouted “Chris, could you wait for a few minutes?”. Seriously, it came to me after that, that I did that each of the 3 times I’ve been at the show now; I’m ALWAYS talking to someone else from the Cast when he comes out, and I ALWAYS have to ask him to wait for me – this is becoming kind of a running gag, haha! When he came up to me, he smiled and pulled me into his arm, hugged me, and I told him that I was now back earlier than I had told him last time, and I somehow managed not so squeak when he remembered that I had said that on his facebook Fan Page a few hours earlier. I then asked him for the Autograph Card he had promised to bring me on June, 21st, and he actually had them in his backpack. While he was rummaging inside of it, he made my night even more by asking “For whom have you been asking again for the Autograph?” and inside I was like: “Uhm…what…? Uhm…me?” When I told him that, he laughed, said “Oh, alright!” and gave me and my friend each one, saying that after the last time I had seen him, he had gone up and started writing all the Autographs. SO sweet of him, isn’t it? We took a quick picture, which was funny, as my friend had some issues with the flash on my camera and when the first pic did turn out all blurry and bad, she blurted out: “Let’s take another one, Chris, you don’t look good on this one!” and Chris was like: “What? Me?” I laughed out loud and felt a slighlty bit embarassed telling him that he always looks good indeed, but I think he already had understood that she had just made a joke. I told him my goodbyes until the next week and he went off talking with some other fans he knew.

Then finally, it was time for Jeannine, whom I have seen coming out, and she had almost left, but I asked her to wait for me shortly; during my talk with Chris, I had seen her talking to some other people, pointing at me as to say “That one’s waiting for me, too” before coming up to me and hugging me tight. I noticed she was in a hurry, but she was still so patient and nice, and I told her that I had seen her crying on stage, and that I had told myself the same time to NOT starty crying myself, because that normally happens when I see anybody cry infront of me. She laughed and said that it was going up straight to the end, that it gets more and more emotional, and when I told her that next week she just can’t cry or I have to bring her some handkerchiefs, the laughed. Sadly, as she had to catch her train, there was not more time to talk to her, but she still took her time so I could take my picture with her.

After that, my friend and me waited for a few more minutes, because I wanted to talk to Isabel, but as I almost knew she probably had been walking past me (because I just don’t recognize her without all her KQ Make-Up), we decided to go home – with my new Autograph Card AND a brand-new WWRY T-Shirt (that I had bought during the Interval) in my bag! 🙂