Janosch: Oh, wie schön ist Panama

Tiger and Bear on a farewell journey

“How wonderful,” said the little tiger, “to have a friend who can build a raft. Then you don’t need to be afraid of anything.” Since 1978, Janosch’s popular children’s book Oh, How Beautiful Panama Is has been taking adventurers young and old on an incredible journey around the world—and showing them what really matters in life. The interactive musical of the same name is now delighting families with children aged five and up at the Deutsches Theater for the fifth time. And for the last time, for now. After its guest performance with us, it will be over for the time being, because composer and producer Reinhold Hoffmann, together with author and director Florian Schmidt, will then devote themselves to a new exciting project. In fall 2027, “Pumuckl” will celebrate its premiere as a new musical theater production, naturally with us. But for now, it’s time to head to Panama!

On a musical journey with the tiger duck

More than 40 years ago, Janosch created a classic of children’s literature with Oh, how beautiful Panama is. The 2006 cinema film of the same name was also a great success. This in turn provided the basis for a musical, which premiered here in 2022. Now the little sailing boat is heading for paradise for the fifth time.

Interactive and with a 4-piece live band

The turbulent musical adaptation by director and author Florian Schmidt, who is also responsible for the colourful stage design, brings the amusing and philosophical story about friendship, wanderlust and freedom to the stage. The interactive musical comedy for globetrotters aged five and over is presented by a four-piece live band. Reinhold Hoffmann (Haindling) composed the lively songs, which range from pop to rock to hip hop. He already created the cheerful “Panama Song” for the cinema film, which really makes you want to sing along and is of course a must in the musical.

Can you smell the bananas yet?

The little tiger and the little bear live happily in their little house by the river. One day, a wooden crate washes up on the shore: the outside is labelled “Panama” – the inside smells of bananas. The two set off with the tiger duck in their luggage: In Panama, they think, everything is much nicer, bigger and better. On their long journey, they meet Schnuddel, Bong the monkey and Mallorca the travelling donkey. They fall off a bridge and, after a wild journey across the high seas, land on a desert island in the ocean. There they actually find the bananas they have been longing for – but in reality they are longing for something completely different: their home…

“Experiences are like apple pie: homemade is best.” (Janosch)

Team

Fotos © Susanne Brill