Celebrities on the blue carpet

Oberhausen. Oberhausen is a musical city again: “The Spirit of Christmas” celebrates its premiere next to the Centro on Saturday in front of 1,700 guests. First impressions.

The “Dance of the Vampires” ended four and a half years ago in the musical chapter in Oberhausen. “The Spirit of Christmas” breathes new life into the Metronome Theater. On Saturday, the new operator “Semmel Concerts” from Bayreuth opened the 1,700-seat musical venue for its first premiere. And curiosity is great.

Musical lovers were able to purchase 700 tickets on public sale. Another 1,000 tickets went to invited guests. It was said well in advance Oberhausen center therefore: sold out.

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The creators want to visibly differentiate themselves from the previous owner, “Stage Entertainment”: The premiere guests are amazed not only by the new building color (anthracite instead of wine red) and the opulent lighting, but also by the gallop of some show celebrities and starlets.

Centro Oberhausen: 1700 guests in the Metronome Theater – slow traffic for arrival

After all, pop stars like Roland Kaiser (“Santa Maria”) and star chef Nelson Müller had announced themselves for the musical feast. And: The premiere organizers simply dye the actually obligatory red carpet blue.

Confessed musical amateur: Comedian Abdelkarim at the premiere of “The Spirit of Christmas” on Saturday evening in the Metronome Theater at the Centro Oberhausen.
© FUNKE Photo Services | Frank Oppitz

The comedian and well-known musical amateur Abdelkarim came right at the beginning of the celebrity show, followed by pop singer Norman Langen, who was amazed at the renovation that had taken place. He could easily imagine performing here, he said. Fellow hit actor Olaf Henning didn’t miss the premiere, as did actress Birte Glang, who shone in a red evening dress.

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This is how the cameras of the press photographers clicked. Some of the 1,700 guests initially wore their fashion surprises under thick coats or jackets. The organizer had asked for festive or Christmas clothing. Since the blue carpet was quickly moved inside the theater, the ladies and gentlemen were able to safely take off their coats.

Reopening of the Metronom Theater in Oberhausen. The new operator Semmel Concerts renovated the musical hall for around 15 million euros.
© FUNKE Photo Services | Frank Oppitz

Beforehand, the visitors needed great patience on the streets. Due to the neighboring shopping center and Christmas market, there was already slow traffic and traffic jams between the motorway exits and the Neue Mitte Oberhausen at midday. The neighborhood’s new ice sculpture exhibition also opened for the first time on Saturday.

Centro Oberhausen: “The Spirit of Christmas” stays in Oberhausen until the end of December

For some musical fans it is a reunion: “The Spirit of Christmas” celebrated its premiere in Oberhausen in 2001 when the Metronome Theater was still called Theatro Centro. The seasonal production, based on Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas story, was then played at other locations.

The musical “The Spirit of Christmas” will be performing at the Oberhausen Metronome Theater until Sunday, December 29, 2024. Ticket prices range from 40 to 120 euros, depending on the day of the week, performance and seat.