Category Archives: Theatre

The first picture of Peter as Candy Darling, along with Helen Sjöholm as Mona in the new musical “Livet är en schlager” (Life is a pop song) has emerged.

Swedish gay magazine QX, has Peter and Helen on the cover of the September 2014 issue and an interview with Jonas Gardell, writer of the show.

Jonas revealed that the show is not based on the 2000 movie of the same name, but is a completely new script. Candy’s role is more developed in the musical. The songs are all new (except one), especially written for the musical by Frederik Kempe. The big finale number from the film “Aldrig ska jag sluta älska dig” (I will never stop loving you” will be in the musical.

The musical opens at Cirkus on 11 September 2014. The opening night is completely sold out. Tickets for other performances can be purchased from Ticnet. The show runs until 21 December 2014.

Foto: Carl Thorborg

All remaining performances of Sweeney Todd in Stockholm have been sold out up to the final performance on 30 April 2014. It is unlikely that the run will be extended unfortunately.

The Stadsteatern website briefly mentions a Swedish touring version to open in the autumn of 2015. There is no official confirmation yet, nor whether Peter would be involved.

The show has been highly successful with both Peter and his co-star Vanna Rosenberg being singled out for praise.

Next for Peter is a visit to Japan in May where he will guest in two concerts with friend Ramin Karimloo and then a concert in Fredrikstad, Norway in July. Peter’s next musical, “Livet är en schlager” with Helen Sjöholm, opens in Stockholm on 11 September 2014.

The musical “Livet är en schlager” opens at Cirkus theatre in Stockholm on 11 September 2014. Tickets go on sale on 19 November 2013.

The musical stars Helen Sjöholm as Mona, the starstruck housewife obsessed with Melodifestivalen, and Peter Jöback as Mona’s transsexual “brother” Candy Darling. The evil diva Sabina is being played by Frida Westerdahl.

Other roles are being played by Jonas Helgesson (David), Johan Glans (Bosse), Måns Möller (Mona’s producer), Katarina Ewerlöf (Melodifestivalen producer) and My Holmsten (Melodifestivalen host).

Performances will be Thursday to Saturday at 7:30pm and a Saturday matinee at 3pm. Performances will last about 3 hours.

An official website has been launched and there is also a Facebook page.

www.livetarenschlager.se

www.facebook.com/Livetarenschlager

Helen and Peter in 1999

“Livet är en schlager” is a new Swedish musical based on the film of the same name from 2000, written by Jonas Gardell. The musical has been written by Jonas with music by Fredrik Kempe.

The title roughly translates as “Life is a Eurovision song” and is about Mona as a mother-of-four living a dreary life with her unemployed husband. She is obsessed by Melodifestivalen (the Swedish contest to select the song to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest). Through a set of circumstances Mona finds herself living her dream life and performing at Melodifestivalen.

When the musical was first announced back in March this year, it was also announced that Helen Sjöholm would be playing Mona and it has just been announced that Peter will be playing Candy Darling, Mona’s transgender brother.

Peter has recorded a song from the musical already which is being released next week on his new album “I Love Musicals”. The song is “Annars vore jag inte jag” (Otherwise I wouldn’t be me).

Helen has performed the song ”Som skapta för varann” (Made for each other) on Swedish television.

The musical is expected to premiere in September or October 2014.