Theaters in Munich
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?
