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Gundermann celebrates 70: State Theater brings his life's work to the stage
Staatstheater Cottbus presents “The Grass Always Grows” – a play about Gerhard Gundermann, which will be performed on December 5th and 17th.
Gundermann celebrates 70: State Theater brings his life's work to the stage
Gerhard Gundermann, the musician from Lusatia, will be honored with a special production. November 29, 2025 marked his birthday and he would have been 70 years old. The songwriter, who was not only known as a companion to his excavators in open-cast coal mining, but also through his profound songs and lyrics, remains a fascinating phenomenon to this day. The Cottbus State Theater dedicates the play “The Grass Grows Again and Again” to him. This performance is a tribute to his life, which was marked by contradictions, and to the importance of his works today. Loud RadioONE Musicians and actors join together to pay homage to Gundermann.
United in contradictions - Gundermann's life was anything but easy. He was both loyal to the state and subversive, gentle and merciless at the same time. The production also reflects these facets. Director Christiane Pohle designed the piece in such a way that the boundaries between musicians and actors are blurred. With the musical direction of Hans Petith and a cast consisting of both actors and musicians, the result is a mixture of concert and drama. In the production, the performers explore the values and themes of Gundermann's songs, which are still relevant today. The Cottbus State Theater highlights the relevance of the work and addresses Gundermann's contradictory life.
A life of contradiction
As a musician and excavator driver at the same time, Gundermann always sought his own path. He expressed his displeasure at the simple description as a “singing excavator driver” early on. He built a bridge between the harsh realities of life and the poetry that spoke from his songs. Gundermann was an oddball who didn't shy away from causing problems for SED officials. Later, after the fall of communism, he turned to environmental protection and discussed the mine closures in his melancholic songs. Loud Wikipedia Gundermann developed into an important mouthpiece for social and ecological issues.
Cottbus becomes the venue for commemorating the unforgettable artist. In addition to the performance, an open rehearsal took place on November 22, 2025 to give the listeners a first impression. The next performances have already been decided: on December 5th, December 17th and December 25th, 2025, visitors can experience the poetic journey through Gundermann's work. With the musical accompaniment of Dietrich Petzold, Dan Baron, and Heiko Liebmann as well as the support of seven actors, the performance will captivate the audience and be a living tribute to Gundermann.
Gundermann's legacy
His artistic legacy remains immensely important. Gundermann, who died far too early in 1998, lives on in the hearts of many fans. His melancholic and at the same time combative texts are always heard and impress with their emotional and social content. At a time when many of his themes are relevant again, the piece “The Grass Grows Again and Again” is not only a birthday party for Gundermann, but also a social event that stimulates reflection. The performance invites everyone to go on a musical-poetic journey together with Gerhard Gundermann.
Take the opportunity to embark on the musical adventure and rediscover Gundermann's profound lyrics - perhaps one or two of the audience will find their own favorite song by the versatile artist.