With rhythmic lightness, American esprit, and Viennese charm, Die Herzogin von Chicago is one of the unforgettable operettas of the golden age of musical theater. Paul Abraham created a work that reflects the cultural bridges between Europe and the USA of the 1920s with its combination of jazz, dance, and classical-romantic melodies.
In this turbulent plot, young American millionaire heiress Mary Ann returns to the Old World to win the hand of a count in feudal Europe—but her heart beats for the vibrant life of the United States. Torn between glamorous Gatsby-esque fantasies and the courtly etiquette of a dusty aristocracy, flirtations, mix-ups, and dazzling dance scenes ensue. In this constellation, foxtrot meets waltz, Charleston meets couplet, creating a musical cocktail that makes the spirit of an entire era audible and tangible.
Abraham's score is peppered with catchy melodies, jazzy swing elements, and lyrical love duets that explore both the longing for freedom and the comical side of social conventions. In the Theater Wolfsburg's production, these contrasting moods come to life: as a play between tradition and new beginnings, between glamour and irony, between urban modernity and rural nostalgia. The Duchess of Chicago is a celebration of operetta that turns the stage into a dance floor and takes the audience back to a time when music and joie de vivre were inextricably linked.
May 7, 2026
