Michael Kunze
Latest News on Michael Kunze:
Listen: Hear 'Sei Bereit (Gott Ist Tot)' From TANZ DER VAMPIRE (Dec 16, 2023)
REBECCA is Now Playing Through 7 January in Vienna (Dec 11, 2023)
London Cast Set For BATSU! at Underbelly Boulevard (Dec 8, 2023)
Listen: Hear 'Sei Bereit (Gott Ist Tot)' From TANZ DER VAMPIRE (Dec 16, 2023)
REBECCA is Now Playing Through 7 January in Vienna (Dec 11, 2023)
London Cast Set For BATSU! at Underbelly Boulevard (Dec 8, 2023)
Michael Kunze BIO
Michael Kunze is a lyricist and librettist of the musical theater. His hit shows ELISABETH, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, MOZART!, MARIE ANTOINETTE, REBECCA, MOSES, LADY BESS, DON CAMILLO & PEPPONE and MATTERHORN have reached an audience of more than 19 million people. The worldwide box office gross of his works has passed the 1 billion mark. As a lyricist he has created more than 200 chart songs and was honored with a Grammy and an Echo Lifetime Award. He also wrote several books.
His musicals are regarded the foundation of a new genre of the contemporary popular musical theatre, called the DramaMusical. It is characterized by an elaborate dramatic structure which integrates elements of the film structure into the classic two act drama form. Michael likes to describe himself as “an architect of the musical drama”.
Michael grew up in Munich, where he studied law, history and philosophy. In the late 1960s, he started to write pop songs, and soon became one of the best known songwriters of Germany. As a producer of international acts, he hit the top of both the Billboard and Cashbox charts in the US. Michael and his friend, composer Sylvester Levay, were the first Germans ever to win the coveted Grammy Award.
At the top of his success, Michael wrote a non-fiction book, "Highroad to the Stake", that was awarded the 1981 Faculty Prize by the Munich University Law School, was translated into several languages and highly praised by the New York Times Book Review.
In 1992, the first of his stage musicals opened in Vienna, a drama about the life of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria (music: Sylvester Levay). It ran for almost six years and was soon exported to other countries, such as Japan, Hungary, Sweden, Holland and Germany.
Collaborating with Roman Polanski (director) and Jim Steinman (composer), Michael wrote his first English libretto and lyrics for the musical, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES. A German version opened in October 1997 at the Viennese Raimund Theater to raving reviews and became an international hit.
Michael has written most of his shows with his close friend, Sylvester Levay. Their second show, MOZART!, also became an immediate success. In 2006 his REBECCA, based on Daphne Du Maurier's famous novel, premiered at Vienna's Raimund Theater. MARIE ANTOINETTE, a musical dramatizing the events of the French Revolution, had a grand opening in Tokyo's most prestigious Imperial Theatre on November 1, 2006, premiered in 2009 in Europe and in 2014 in Seoul/Korea. In 2012 Michael's musical MOSES (music: Dieter Falk) premiered in Switzerland where it ran for three years. Michael and Sylvester's LADY BESS, telling the story of the young Elizabeth of England, opened in April 2014 in Tokyo. In 2017 he created a pop oratory for 3000 voices celebrating the rebellious monk, Martin LUTHER. This huge event toured European concert halls. In 2018 Michael’s show about man’s destruction of nature, MATTERHORN (music by Albert Hammond), opened in Switzerland. Currently he is working on a new choir event titled BETHLEHEM, and on another musical scheduled to open in Seoul in 2022. He is also busy writing another book, a biography of the internationally known legal theorist Rudolf von Jhering (1818-1892).
In addition to his Grammy, Michael holds an Echo Lifetime Award, 79 Gold and Platinum Records, 3 Golden Europe Awards, 2 Best Musicals Awards (Image1996 and Image 1998), Musical Of The Year Award 2000 (Mozart!), 2001 (Elisabeth), 2003 (Dance Of The Vampires), 2007 (Rebecca) and 2009 (Marie Antoinette). For his non-fiction books he was honored by the Academic Society Of Göttingen with the prestigious Grimm Brothers Award (2018). Michael is a member of GEMA, Deutsche Dramatiker Union and The Dramatists Guild, Inc. New York. He and his wife, Roswitha, live in Hamburg / Germany.
Michael Kunze Productions
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Bookwriter
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Michael Kunze Videos
Video: Watch Lauren Jones and Kara Lane Sing 'Mrs. de Winter Is Here' from REBECCA
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 21, 2023
Video: Richard Carson and Lauren Jones Perform 'Through the Night' From English-Language Premiere of REBECCA
by Stephi Wild - Aug 15, 2023
First Look: Willemijn Verkaik Returns to the Stage in REBECCA the Musical in Vienna
by Team BWW - Sep 26, 2022
VIDEO: Broadway's REBECCA Scandal Featured on CNBC's AMERICAN GREED - Watch Preview Clips!
by Caryn Robbins - Aug 9, 2016
STAGE TUBE: Willemijn Verkaik Performs 'The Years' from Scott Alan's HOME THE MUSICAL
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 9, 2013
STAGE TUBE: Watch REBECCA's Ryan Silverman's New 'Come On Down To My House' Music Video
by Stage Tube - Jun 21, 2012
Michael Kunze News
Listen: Hear 'Sei Bereit (Gott Ist Tot)' From TANZ DER VAMPIRE
Hear the Hamburg cast of the musical Dance Of The Vampires (Tanz Der Vampire) perform the song, 'Sei Bereit (Gott Ist Tot)' below!
REBECCA is Now Playing Through 7 January in Vienna
Rebecca has extended through 7 January in Vienna. Learn more about the show here!
London Cast Set For BATSU! at Underbelly Boulevard
Underbelly has announced the UK company for BATSU!. Having recently expanded to London from Chicago and New York, the Japanese game show inspired event has since made Underbelly Boulevard its home.
SPIRITED AWAY at The London Coliseum Extends Five Additional Weeks
A five-week extension has been announced for the European premiere of the stage adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum.
Hamburg Production of HAMILTON Will Be Replaced by TANZ DER VAMPIRE
The Hamburg production of Hamilton will close this Sunday after a year-long run and taking home the top musical prize at the German Musical Theater Awards.
Review Roundup: English-Language REBECCA Premieres at Charing Cross Theatre
Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane head the cast for the much anticipated English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical Rebecca. Check out what the critic are saying about the new musical.
Review: REBECCA, Charing Cross Theatre
The project has been a top hit in its native Austria since it opened in 2006, garnering a steady following across the world and subsequent runs in Asia and Europe. The original is fabled to feature incredible sets and a sumptuous staging - it’s a shame those elements haven’t transferred.
Photos: First Look at the English Language Premiere of REBECCA
Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane head the cast for the eagerly anticipated English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical ‘Rebecca’. Check out all new photos here!
Find Out How to Get Tickets to SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum
The priority and general on sale dates have been announced for the European premiere of the stage adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY, which opens at the London Coliseum on 30 April 2024 where it will play until 20 July 2024.
EDINBURGH 2023: Review: CSI: CRIME SCENE IMPROVISATION, Underbelly, Bristo Square, Ermintrude
The concept of CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation is quite simple. A murder has taken place, and it is up to the audience to not only catch the killer but also to create the crime scene themselves, setting the scene for the actors.
Video: Watch Lauren Jones and Kara Lane Sing 'Mrs. de Winter Is Here' from REBECCA
The English language premiere of Rebecca is coming soon to Charing Cross Theatre and we have a first look! In this video, watch as Lauren Jones (2nd Mrs. de Winter) and Kara Lane (Mrs. Danvers) record 'Mrs. de Winter Is Here' at The Umbrella Rooms.
Video: Richard Carson and Lauren Jones Perform 'Through the Night' From English-Language Premiere of REBECCA
An all new video has been released from the English language premiere of REBECCA at Charing Cross Theatre. The video features Richard Carson as Maxim de Winter and Lauren Jones as Second Mrs de Winter singing 'Through the Night', featuring Pianist Tom Knowles.
Photos: First Look at the Cast of REBECCA at Charing Cross Theatre
Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane head the cast for the eagerly anticipated English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical ‘Rebecca’. Check out all new photos of the cast here!
Stage Adaptation of Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Makes European Debut in London in 2024
The European premiere of SPIRITED AWAY will open at the London Coliseum in April 2024.
Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane Will Lead English Language Premiere of REBECCA
Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane will lead the cast for the eagerly anticipated English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical ‘Rebecca’. Performances run 4 September to 18 November at Charing Cross Theatre.
Review: ELISABETH IN CONCERT at Schönbrunn Castle
What did our critic think of ELISABETH IN CONCERT at Schönbrunn Castle? The dramatically touching story about Austria's famous Empress Elisabeth is back for a three-night Open Air Concert in Schönbrunn's grand forecourt.
TANZ DER VAMPIRE Kehrt Diesen Herbst Nach Hamburg Zurück
Bereits seit einem Vierteljahrhundert begeistert das Musical TANZ DER VAMPIRE aus der Feder von Michael Kunze (Buch und Lyrics) und Jim Steinman (Musik) Fans auf der ganzen Welt. Aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage bei Fans der Show in ganz Deutschland zeigt Stage Entertainment ab November 2023 TANZ DER VAMPIRE wieder in Hamburg, im Stage Operettenhaus.
Krolock Kevin Tarte Wird Seine Rolle Im Musical DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES
Seit einem Vierteljahrhundert tanzen die Vampire über die Musicalbühnen – das bedeutet 25 Jahre begeisterte Fans, schaurig-schöne Kulissen, rockige Musik, berühmte Balladen und absolute Kultstars in den Hauptrollen! Im Oktober 2022 zelebrierte TANZ DER VAMPIRE im Stuttgarter Stage Palladium Theater das große Jubiläum, aber die Party ist noch lange nicht vorbei: Dieses Frühjahr kehrt einer der am meisten gefeierten Darsteller zurück, den die Vampirshow je gesehen hat: Superstar Kevin Tarte lockt im Mai und Juni erneut als bissiger Graf von Krolock in sein Schloss!
LADY BESS is Now Playing at Theater St.Gallen
The young Princess Elizabeth 'Bess' Tudor, daughter of the legendary King Henry VIII and the notorious Anne Boleyn, grows up as an orphan in the care of her governess and her humanist tutor, while her half-sister as 'Bloody Mary' brutally rules over her subjects. Mary does everything she can to get rid of her hated little sister. But Bess, through integrity and with the help of her friends, manages to win the sympathy of the English people and finally ascends the throne as Elizabeth I.
Wake Up With BWW 12/13: Inside Opening of SOME LIKE IT HOT and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Top stories include coverage from opening nights of Some Like It Hot and Merrily We Roll Along! Plus, Night at the Museum musical had its first workshop, and more!
Michael Kunze FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Michael Kunze written?
Michael Kunze has written 2 shows including Dance of the Vampires (Bookwriter), Rebecca (Bookwriter).
Videos
