★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kurier – Peter Jarolin

“Lady in the Dark skillfully counteracts expectations, scoring with sensational actors and great revue scenes. Breaking conventions, it brings depth and know-how to a very entertaining evening.”
Die Presse – Theresa Steininger

“The Volksoper brings Kurt Weill’s masterpiece Lady in the Dark convincingly to the stage.”
Kleine Zeitung – Martin Gasser

“A very successful revitalization of an extraordinary piece.”
Oberösterreichische Nachrichten – Michael Wruss

“‘Musical’ would not describe Lady in the Dark accurately. In a sense, it is the piece that the great, recently deceased Stephen Sondheim always wanted to write but never did.”
Online Merkur

“Weill, a master of collage, brings a multitude of styles, from march to foxtrot, impressively finding something suitable for every scene.”
Die Presse – Theresa Steininger

“Kurt Weill does not rely on hits and catchy tunes, but on an energizing and detailed musical dramaturgy that perhaps became the model for the more advanced Broadway musical. This important music is in expert hands with Weill expert James Holmes on the podium of the Volksoper orchestra.
Kleine Zeitung – Martin Gasser

“The score is fabulous … In the excellent hands of conductor James Holmes, it swung and lilted brilliantly.”
bachtrack.com – Chanda VanderHart

“It’s the finely orchestrated music that holds everything together coherently. Under the sweeping direction of James Holmes, the Volksoper chorus and orchestra do a great job.”
Online Merkur

“Finding a balance here is not easy, but director Mattias Davids succeeds through quick scene changes and no down-time.”
Oberösterreichische Nachrichten – Michael Wruss

“Director Matthias Davids and his set designer Hans Kudlich are in top form, with quick changes and original solutions as when a show staircase mutates into a car or a judge’s seat turns into a female torso.”
Kleine Zeitung

“The sensation of the evening is Julia Koci, who as Liza oscillates between business leader and temptress.”
Die Presse – Theresa Steininger

“Equally at home in opera, operetta and musical, Koci was convincing both as the anxious protagonist and her glamorous alter ego… a true star.”
bachtrack.com – Chanda VanderHart

Ben Connor is delicious as a Hollywood beau who—mostly in a cowboy outfit—is confident in the adoration of all those around him.”
Die Presse – Theresa Steininger

“The absolute star of the evening is Jacob Semotan, as Russell Paxton and several other characters. He tossed off his song ‘Tchaikovsky’ like a real rock star.”
Kurier – Peter Jarolin

(All photos: Petra Moser)