Janosch: Oh, wie schön ist Panama

Tiger and bear on a farewell trip

"How good," said the little tiger, "if you have a friend who can build a raft. Then you don't have to be afraid of anything." The popular children's book Oh, how beautiful is Panama by Janosch has been taking young and old adventurers on an incredible journey around the world since 1978 - and incidentally shows what really matters in life. The participatory musical of the same name is now thrilling families with children aged five and over for the fifth time at the Deutsches Theater. And for the last time for the time being. Because after the guest performance with us, it's over for the time being, because composer and producer Reinhold Hoffmann will then devote himself to a new great project together with author and director Florian Schmidt. In autumn 2027, "Pumuckel" will of course celebrate its world premiere as a new musical theater with us. But for now, it's off to Panama!

On a musical journey with the tiger duck

More than 40 years ago, Janosch created a classic of children's literature with Oh, how beautiful Panama is. The 2006 movie of the same name was also a great success. This in turn provided the basis for a musical, which premiered here in 2022. Now the little sailing boat is heading for paradise for the fifth time.

Interactive and with a 4-piece live band

The turbulent musical adaptation by director and author Florian Schmidt, who is also responsible for the colorful stage design, brings the amusing and philosophical story about friendship, wanderlust and freedom to the stage. The interactive musical comedy for globetrotters aged five and over is presented by a four-piece live band. Reinhold Hoffmann (Haindling) composed the lively songs, which range from pop to rock to hip hop. He already created the cheerful "Panama Song" for the movie, which really makes you want to sing along and is of course a must in the musical.

Can you smell the bananas yet?

The little tiger and the little bear live happily in their little house by the river. One day, a wooden crate washes up on the shore: on the outside it says "Panama" - inside it smells of bananas. The two set off with the tiger duck in their luggage: In Panama, they think, everything is much nicer, bigger and better. On their long journey, they meet Schnuddel, Bong the monkey and Mallorca the traveling donkey. They fall off a bridge and, after a wild journey across the high seas, end up on a desert island in the ocean. There they actually find the bananas they have been longing for - but in reality they are longing for something completely different: their home...

"Experiences are like apple pie: homemade is best." (Janosch)