Team
Burkhard Driest
Script
Burkhard Driest started writing while he was still studying law. In 1972 his first novel, "Die Verrohung des Franz Blum", was released. Due to its huge success Reinhard Hauff screened it in 1974, with Burkhard Driest not only providing the scenario but also playing the title role.
Reinhard Hauff screened three further scenarios by Burkhard Driest: the TV film "Zuendschnuere" (1974), based on the novel by Franz Josef Degenhardt, "Paule Paulaender" (1974) as well as the movie "Endstation Freiheit" (1983), in which Burkhard Driest could also be seen as an actor again.
Together with Lucas Heller he wrote eight further movie scenarios, amongst them the Hollywood production "Karate Kid III" (1989), as well as German movies such as "Querelle" (1981) by Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
As an actor Burkhard Driest could be seen in movies such as "Steiner - Das Eiserne Kreuz" (1976) by Sam Peckinpah and "Stroszek" (1976) by Werner Herzog.
In 1982 Burkhard Driest relocated to Hollywood, but returned to Europe in 1991. Today he is living in Dublin, and is teaching at the "Deutsche Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie" in Berlin.
Johnny Bertl
Music
Johnny Bertl's musical education started when he was six years old, with the guitar being his first instrument, followed by piano lessons and training in music theory.
After he finished school, Johnny Bertl started studying at the "Hochschule fuer Musik und darstellende Kunst" as well as "Classical Guitar" and "Jazz Guitar" at the Conservatory of Vienna.
He had additional training in orchestration for symphony orchestra, jazz theory, arranging and conducting.
As a composer, arranger and producer Johnny Bertl worked for well-known artists such as Ludwig Hirsch (9 CDs and 1300 live performances), Anna Maria Kaufmann, Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung, as well as "Christmas in Vienna IV, V" with Placido Domingo.
Johnny Bertl provided the sound track for movies such as "Trokadero" with Franz Xaver Kroetz, "Die vergessenen Kinder" (Director: Kurt K. Hieber) and "My Styria" (Director: Maximilian Vrecer).
Together with Christian Kolonovits and Hartmut Pfannmueller he founded the crossover project V.S.O.P. with the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra. "Klassik meets Pop" became a worldwide bestseller. 7 CDs were released, and live performances included the opening concert of the "Wiener Festwochen", shows in Greece and Japan as well as a performance on the famous German TV show "Wetten, dass...?".
By arranging and composing for the Musical "FMA - Falco meets Amadeus" Johnny Bertl entered the world of Musicals. Developed by him and director Elmar Ottenthal "Falco meets Amadeus" was seen by more than 500.000 people since its world premiere in September 2000.
Manfred Schweng
Music
Manfred Schweng's first instruments were washing powder boxes, before he got a real drum set when he was eight years old.
After studying music at the Jazz Conservatory in Vienna Manfred Schweng started working as a live and session musican for well-known artists such as V.S.O.P., Ludwig Hirsch, Werner Schneider, and EAV.
Together with Arthur Lauber he composed sound tracks for ORF TV serials like "Kaisermuehlen-Blues" and "Dolce Vita & Co".
In his own recording studio Manfred Schweng arranges for musicians such as Alan Parsons and Chris Thompson.
At the "Theater des Westens" in Berlin he was the co-arranger for the Musical "FMA - Falco meets Amadeus" and provided the show's groove programming.
Elmar Ottenthal
Staging
Amongst the most important stations of Elmar Ottenthal's work as a director are the Scala in Milan, the Staatsoper in Vienna, the Liceu in Barcelona, the Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels and the Trinity College in Cambridge, where he worked together with Leonhard Bernstein.
Elmar Ottenthal staged works of composers such as Verdi, Puccini, Wagner and Mozart, as well as world premieres of works by Gottfried von Einem, Ernst Krenek and Leonhard Bernstein. So far he staged more than 60 works of music theatre.
Elmar Ottenthal was Peter Weck's Deputy Artistic Director of the Vereinigte Buehnen Wien (Theater an der Wien, Raimund-Theater, Ronacher).
In 1992 Elmar Ottenthal became director of the Theatre Aachen, where he extended each season to 12 months a year and staged a Musical world premiere each summer beginning in 1993. His most successful production, "Gaudi", was later performed in Alsdorf and Cologne, and was seen by more than one million people. Also in 1992 Elmar Ottenthal became director of the opera class of the University of Music in Cologne, department Aachen, where he was appointed professor in 1995.
On July 31th 1999 Elmar Ottenthal handed over the completely renovated Theatre Aachen to his successor, as well as a reserve of 11,5 million DM.
Subsequently he became director of the Theater des Westens in Berlin, where he staged two high-class Musical productions each year (one of both being a world premiere), starting with "Chicago". Additionally there were special events like Musical galas and benefit shows.
Elmar Ottenthals first world premiere was "FMA - Falco Amadeus" on September 23rd 2000. This show is amongst the most successful productions in the centenary history of the Theater des Westens. So far "Falco meets Amadeus" was seen by more than 500.000 people.
[to top]