Munich – With an impressive 98.44 percent occupancy rate for the current season, the Gärtnerplatz State Theatre enters the upcoming year with optimism and renewed energy. For the 2025/26 season, the theatre will stage seven premieres, introduce new members to its ensemble, and present a wide-ranging program that blends tradition with innovation.
Artistic Director Josef Ernst Köpplinger, together with Chief Conductor Rubén Dubrovsky and Ballet Director Karl Alfred Schreiner, presented the season’s highlights on Friday. “We can’t change the world through theatre, but we can make it more colorful,” said Köpplinger—a guiding principle reflected throughout the new schedule.
Ensemble Expansion Brings New Artistic Impulses
The upcoming season will see targeted additions to the theatre’s ensemble. Singers Alexander Findewirth, Laura Schneiderhan, Anna Tetruashvili, and Jeremy Boulton will join the opera studio as permanent members. Guest performers Annemarie Pfahler and Réka Kristóf will also take on roles in selected productions, adding further depth to the theatre’s vocal range.
Seven Premieres Across Genres
The season kicks off on October 10, 2025, with the opera Der tollste Tag. Over the following months, six additional premieres will be staged, spanning opera, ballet, rock ballet, and operetta. Among the featured works are timeless pieces like La Traviata and new productions such as the dance piece Rock to Heaven. The program also includes an operatic adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s classic play The Visit.
Alongside these new productions, the theatre will continue to showcase 22 existing works from its repertoire. One of the season’s main draws will be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a cross-generational favorite that Köpplinger says resonates strongly with both children and adults.
Global Reach and Youth Engagement
The Gärtnerplatztheater is also planning an international tour in spring 2026, with performances in Japan underscoring its global reputation. Meanwhile, young audiences will benefit from specially curated concerts designed to introduce children to music and theatre through engaging, age-appropriate experiences.
Leadership Continues Through 2030
Köpplinger will remain as artistic director through 2030, following an extension of his tenure. Bavarian Culture Minister Markus Blume recently described him as the theatre’s “creative engine,” noting that under his direction, the Gärtnerplatztheater has secured a strong position both nationally and internationally.
With its mix of fresh talent, bold programming, and enduring classics, the 2025/2026 season reaffirms the theatre’s mission to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and forward-thinking productions.
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