European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse Doily Magazine Janie Zerger Erik Geisen sing Only a the Duchess Flo Semelmaker scowls at joke by Prince s Valet Christopher Dawes by Linda Wilson staff writer repeatedly asking for the time the Prince strode around the set working out last minute staging problems with the director. Thick greasepaint gave his face a deep Bronze suntan and outlined Strong cheekbones and con toured jaws that worked a piece of chewing gum As he talked with reporters smiled for photographers and Dis cussed Century old fashions with his leading lady. Finally be went to his dressing room to Trade Hist shirt which proclaimed i m a lot More than you think for a suit trimmed with Gold braid and a Bro Cade Sash. The producer paced the Heidelberg Castle courtyard scribbling on a pad and shouting directions to lighting technicians and stagehands. The Driver of a horse drawn Carriage practice urging his Brown and Black charges students give waitress a lift during rousing drinking song. Down the Cobblestone path Between the stage and the front Row of seats to the accompaniment of a musician tuning a Harp. It was 30 minutes to curtain time for the dress rehearsal of the student and the atmosphere was elec tric As late arriving cast members hurried to change into costumes while rain Clouds frowned on the frenzied activity the student performed in the Castle court Yard is part of the fifth annual Schloss Spiele i Castle festival i held in Heidelberg in August. Sigmund Romberg wrote the music for the Story. Based on Wilhelm Meyer Forster s play. Alt Heidel Berg old Heidelberg. The play was unknown in Amer Ica until Romberg added music. Some of the songs such As deep in my heart and Golden Days made Heidel Berg famous in America. Many germans on the other hand Are unfamiliar with the student Prince which had a lengthy Runyon Broadway in 1924. Producer Hein slows horse drawn Carriage new feature in the Prince this year. Friday August 11, 1978 the Story is a classic Romance Young Prince Karl Franz played by Erik Geisen leaves his sheltered upbringing to attend the University in Heidelberg where he joins a fraternity and Falls Inlove with the innkeeper s daughter. But because of the death of his regal Grandfather to must return Home and assume the Royal role which includes a political marriage to his Cousin. Norman Phillips who plays or. Kneel the Prince s Mentor i said it s great fun everyone loves producer Helmut Hein. Whose idea it was to stage the student Prince in its original setting assembled an International cast of professionals and amateurs Fortis production in English. Many of the leads Are played by professional opera singers. Soprano Janie Zerger who plays Kathie the innkeeper s daughter is from Anadarko. Okla. And has Bee with the state theater in Kassel for three years. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and came to Europe to pursue opera because Here it is a respected occupation. You Are hired year around and there is Vaca Tion and insurance. In the states people ask you what you she said and you say you re an opera Singer and they ask yeah but what else do you do " Zerger and Geisen an american Tenor from Chi Cago think they were Lucky to break into the German opera circuit. Opera is a full time profession in Germany. Geisen said and singers arc just coming out of the the student Prince is More of a Light hearted musical than an opera Complete with a sword fight song Sand dance the student Prince will play each Friday an saturday night at 8 . During August. The Castle festival also includes the comic opera Der Apotheker and the farce Freiheit in Krahwinkel " the Heidelberg City orchestra will play aug 22, and London dance featuring Ballet soloists will appear aug 27. In Rainy weather. Performances move indoors to the lung s Hall. For More information or tickets Contact tourist information am Schloss. Neue Schloss Strasse h. 6900 Heidel Berg id okh11-21141 or Kuitert Kassa , 1.6900 Heidelberg Tel 062211-21076 the stars and stripes Page 13
