WIR SIND AM LEBEN - The Musical

Following the successful musicals ‘Ku'damm 56’, ‘Ku'damm 59’, ‘Romeo & Julia – Liebe ist alles’ and most recently ‘DIE AMME’, ‘WIR SIND AM LEBEN’ is the first musical developed entirely by Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer and their most personal project to date.

‘With “WIR SIND AM LEBEN”, we want to remember. Those who have gone. Those who stayed behind. And what must not be forgotten – even if it has become quieter. A memorial. Not made of stone, but of music, history and emotion.’
Peter Plate + Ulf Leo Sommer

WIR SIND AM LEBEN – Story and context

1990 is a year that turns not only the lives of siblings Nina and Mario and their mother Rosie upside down, but the entire city of Berlin. The Wall has fallen, the old order has been shattered – and chaos takes its course.

Nina and Mario flee from Wittenberg to the bustling capital – in search of themselves, music and a different life. In a squatted old building with the hopeful name ‘Konsum Hoffnung’ (Consumption Hope), they encounter a warm-hearted community that runs an improvised helpline.

Mario falls in love with Nando, a Cuban dancer. Nina dreams of a career as a pop singer – in a city that prefers to dance to techno.

And then suddenly there's Rosie. A mother no one expected. Intrusive. Uninvited. Too late. And yet determined to win back her children – in a life that has long since moved on without her. She is played by Steffi Irmen, the celebrated star of Ku'damm 59, Romeo & Julia – Liebe ist alles and her own musical hit DIE AMME.

Rosie's journey takes her right into the heart of wild, vibrant, demanding Berlin – a city in the throes of upheaval. It is a time between euphoria and fear. Between a new beginning and the dark reality of AIDS, which overshadows everything.

But ‘WIR SIND AM LEBEN’ is not pure drama, but ‘it will be very, very funny,’ says Plate. ‘Because the 90s weren't just sad or political – they were also absurd, uninhibited, tenderly crazy. We wanted to show all of that: the sadness and the dancing. The anger and the warmth. The noise and the quiet.’

WIR SIND AM LEBEN – How it came about

The idea for ‘WIR SIND AM LEBEN’ was born back in 2009, when Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer were working on their first musical layout.
This creative spark led to the last Rosenstolz album in 2011, which bore the same title.
But the vision of a musical never left the two of them.
In the summer of 2024, they revisited the idea and developed a fresh layout.

The book was written jointly by Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer – in close collaboration with Franziska Kuropka and Lukas Nimscheck, who are also directing the musical.

The music is by Peter Plate, Ulf Leo Sommer and Joshua Lange – known from Ku'damm 56, Ku'damm 59 and Romeo & Julia – Liebe ist alles.

WIR SIND AM LEBEN – What can the audience expect?

A top-class ensemble of performers, first-class live music and a production that thrills both visually and emotionally: Spectacular choreography by internationally acclaimed Jonathan Huor (‘Ku'damm 56 & 59’, ‘Romeo & Julia’, ‘Eurovision Song Contest 2025’) meets an impressive light show by Tim Deiling – the Tony Award-nominated lighting designer.

WIR SIND AM LEBEN – Good to know

The first song from the musical will be released on 27 May 2025: ‘Salon Rosie’, sung by Steffi Irmen.
There will also be a music video to accompany it. Celina dos Santos will take on the role of Nina – further cast members will be announced shortly.

• Premiere: 21 March 2026, Theater des Westens, Berlin
  
• in German