Musical by Paul Graham Brown based on the story of Anthony McCarten

Music and Lyrics by Paul Graham Brown,
Book by Anthony McCarten
(German translation by Nina Schneider)

Don is 15 years old and he's living on borrowed time. He has cancer and the prognosis is not good. He withdraws into his own head and onto the pages of his sketchpad, where he creates a bizarre and sexy world of comic book superheroes and villains. "Miraculous Man" is Don's alter ego; after an accident involving radioactive waste he has become immortal. Lurking in the shadows of the nearest skyscraper, the evil Doctor Glove and his voluptuous sidekick, Nursey, want to capture "Miraculous Man" and harvest his bone marrow so that they, too, can live forever. But Doctor Glove is not the only one susceptible to Nursey's ample charms ...

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Don likes this girl from school, Shelley. But chances of a date are remote for a kid whose hair has fallen out.

Don's parents have sent their son off to see the psychiatrist Dr. Adrian King. Don complains that his main problem is that he doesn't want to die a virgin. Understanding the logic of this, Adrian sets out to help Don lose his virginity. And so begins a rich and humourful adventure that has more consequences for the doctor and patient than anyone had expected ...

Set against the dazzling and awe inspiring landscape of Don's comic-book world, "Superhero" tells a tale of teenagers, parents, sons, brothers, partners and lovers - of normal people doing their best to stay that way. It tells of the fleeting nature of life and the need to celebrate each moment.

"Superhero" combines traditional musical theatre songs with pulsating dance and hip hop beats and the mighty sweep of Bond-like orchestrations.

"... hat alle Ingredienzien eines rührenden Blockbusters, der zudem einen kleinen Schuss Verwegenheit enthält … Es ist eine große, feine (Uraufführungs-)Produktion, das Thema dazu wie geschaffen für ein Jugendstück ... Szenenapplaus gab es gefühlt alle fünf Minuten." (Frankfurter Rundschau)

Production history:

Premiere at Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, October 2014

Cast size:

9 men, 6 woman, Ensemble
Scored for full orchestra (Reed I (A.Sax, Fl), Reed II (T.Sax, Fl), Reed III (Bar.Sax, Klar), Git / E-Git, E-Bass, Trp I, Trp II, Key I, Key II, Drums).

Performance rights available from Felix Bloch Erben Verlag, Berlin