The new musical As in Heaven is full of hope and vitality
The most touching musical novelty of the autumn, Så som i himmelen (2018), will have its Finnish premiere on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre on 26 August. The musical, which has captivated Swedish audiences, will be brought to the big stage by award-winning director and choreographer Jakob Höglund and his top team.
“I am extra proud of our entire ensemble, team and entire theatre staff. Even though it has been very challenging to rehearse a big musical in the midst of the current restrictions and in exceptional circumstances, we have always found solutions together in different situations. It is precisely this power of community that our presentation also shows. We are excited to reach the finish line and perform for the audience,” says director and choreographer, Lilla Teatern’s artistic director Jakob Höglund.
Written by Kay Pollak and Carin Pollak and composed by Sweden’s best-known Eurovision composer Fredrik Kempe, the musical emphasizes the power, hope and joie de vivre of music. The main roles are played by Tuukka Leppänen, the star of the musical Once, and award-winning actress and singer Oona Airola, who is acting in her first major musical role at the Helsinki City Theatre.
In addition to Airola and Leppänen, the musical features e.g. Emilia Nyman, Puntti Valtonen, Antti Timonen, Sanna Majuri, Olli Rahkonen, Tuomas Uusitalo, Anna-Victoria Eriksson, Sinikka Sokka, Kari Mattila, Raili Raitala and Helena Haaranen. The role of Tore, who has an intellectual disability , alternates between actor Paavo Kääriäinen and musician Jaakko Lahtinen, who works at HelsinkiMissio’s Resonaari and has an intellectual disability.
“As far as I know, the role of Tore in other professional theatre versions has always been played by an actor who is not mentally disabled. In our version, Paavo and Jaakko have built a role together, and even though the audience only sees one of them on stage, they also see a piece of both. The collaboration between an actor with an intellectual disability and an actor with a non-intellectual disability has enabled the working group to discuss the issues of representation. I would also like to thank Music Centre Resonaari and Duvteatern for their support along the way,” says Jakob Höglund.
Based on the popular Swedish film of the same name (2004), the musical tells the story of the successful conductor Daniel Daréus’ return to his childhood homeland in a small village in northern Sweden. The top musician, who has suffered from health problems, would like to live a quiet life, but soon finds himself conducting the villagers’ church choir, and in the middle of a colorful and vibrant community. Among the diverse country choir, there are not only friends, but also old wounds and, finally, true love.
The conductor of the musical As It Is in Heaven is Eeva Kontu, one of the top names in Finnish musical theatre. The musical has been translated into Finnish by Aino Piirola (text) and Maija Vilkkumaa (songs). The top team also includes Swedish set designer Sven Haraldsson and costume designer, Finnish clothing design superstar Samu-Jussi Koski, known for his Samuji brand, as well as lighting designer William Iles, sound designer Kai Poutanen and camouflage designer Milja Mensonen, known from HKT’s successful musicals. The video design is by Toni Haaranen, and the shadow theatre expert and puppet designer is Heini Maaranen.
As in Heaven premiere 26.8.2021 on the big stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5)
Tickets: student ticket 41,50/44 € (Mon-Thu), Pensioner ticket 80/85 € (Mon-Thu), Basic ticket 83/88 €
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