Musical star in Gmunden

Denis Riffel: “Of course I know the loneliness”

Denis Riffel will soon be performing in Gmunden

(Bild: Phillip Noack)

It's a teenage story with a wide range of emotions: Musical-Frühling brings the German-language premiere of "Dear Evan Hansen" to the Stadttheater Gmunden from March 22. The lead role is played by 29-year-old German actor Denis Riffel, who is quite open in the "Krone" talk show.

Musical-Frühling Gmunden already proved its flair last year and cemented its international reputation with the world premiere of "Letters from Ruth". It rained down four awards at the German Music Theater Prize.

Now Elisabeth Sikora and Markus Olzinger are tackling a German-language premiere. The Broadway hit "Dear Evan Hansen" can be seen in Gmunden on March 22. Denis Riffel, who recently shone in "Hair" at the Salzburg Landestheater, is playing the lead role and rehearsals are already underway. The "Krone" met the charismatic musical actor.

"Krone": How would you introduce yourself to the Austrian public?
Denis Riffel: Hello , I'm Denis and I was born in a car on the side of a highway in Bielefeld in 1995. My grandma, who was a midwife and helped over a thousand babies come into the world (just not me), influenced me a lot with her calm, simple strength, and from her and my mother I probably had the urge to have to prove myself, so I did Taekwondo for a long time. The discipline and fighting spirit I learned there stay with me every day, but I soon decided to become an actor.

Are you a musical performer or more of an actor?
Theater is life, theater is exchange, and in exchange with my fellow actors and the creative team, we find out during rehearsals what exactly the story is that we are telling. And depending on the form, different skills are added, such as speaking, listening and reacting, singing, dancing and moving. I think this separation has fallen out of time and hardly helps an open discourse on what is possible in theater.

Scene from "Hair" at the Salzburger Landestheater: Simon Stockinger and Denis Riffel (right)

(Bild: SLT / Tobias Witzgall)

What do you find interesting about "Dear Evan Hansen" and what is so appealing about the lead role?
Evan's deep pain and loneliness are definitely the most interesting aspects of this character. They are a bottomless pit and very diverse, they are huge conflicts. Then there's first love, love for family and friends. And hope, because "you're not alone".

Is there anything that you personally associate with the character of Evan Hansen? 
 I know awkwardness in social situations and introversion. Of course, I also know loneliness.

As Evan Hansen, do you have what it takes to become a heartthrob?
Evan first has to find peace within himself and learn to carry his own weight. Learn to regulate himself, take responsibility, "grow up". With help, but also independently. He will long for a kind of home that he can only fully appreciate once he has found one for himself. Because we all end up with our skin, there is no merging. I want that too, I'm just learning to feel good in my own skin. Girl crush? I'm not interested in that. I'll meet a great woman one day. One is enough.

Do you know Gmunden? What are you looking forward to?
I've been there twice, huge mountains embrace this small town on the lake, and I saw it all in white in December.

You've performed at the Landestheater Salzburg, on big German stages, now little Gmunden?
Yes, I'm really looking forward to Markus Olzinger and Elisabeth Sikora! I have taken their warmth and modesty to my heart and appreciate them artistically. I'm also looking forward to the ensemble, because we all listen attentively and enter into this story with sincerity. But I am most looking forward to Evan.

Serivce: "Dear Evan Hansen", musical by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul; German premiere, Stadttheater Gmunden, premiere: March 22, 2024.