Two years ago, Johannes Heesters celebrated his acting career's 75th anniversary by starring in Ein gesegnetes Alter (A Blessed Age). The first series of sold-out performances at Berlin's Theater am Kurfurstendamm was followed by successful runs in Dresden, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna. Heesters returns with the show to Berlin for a limited engagement until March 22.

Heesters was celebrated throughout Europe as an actor and operetta singer in the 1930s. He was especially in demand at Berlin's Metropol Theater as Count Danilo in Lehar's The Merry Widow.

At the age of 94, he is one of the few remaining artists of the generation which brought renown to Berlin's theatrical scene in the Weimar era.

Ein gesegnetes Alter is a turbulent comedy in which a 90-year-old retiree has to protect his house from being bought and demolished by the very same company which produces the health-drink to which he attributes his remarkable vitality.

Theater am Kurfurstendamm is a theater built in the 1920s which specializes in boulevard comedies and light contemporary drama. Most recently, a production about the Comedian Harmonists entitled Veronika, der Lenz ist da enjoyed great popularity. Ein gesegnetes Alter plays daily except Mondays at 8 pm and Sundays at 6 pm. Ticket can be ordered at (++49) 30 / 47021010.

--By Scott Lawton
Germany