Broadway Magic in Graz: Silk Stockings

Opera House Graz [ENA] The beautiful city of Graz had a special sparkle and a wonderful performance last night, April 26, 2025, when Silk Stockings brought a dose of Broadway glamour to the Opera House. Cole Porter’s witty musical, based on Ernst Lubitsch’s film Ninotchka, whisked the audience away to a stylish, romantic Paris, where politics, passion, and plenty of clever songs danced hand in hand.

From the very first notes under Koen Schoots’s spirited baton, it was clear the evening would be something special. Director Max Hopp kept the story moving with a light, playful touch, finding just the right balance between humor and heart. Natalia Mateo shone as the serious Soviet envoy Nina Yaschenko, while Michael Rotschopf’s charming Steve Canfield had the whole audience rooting for love to conquer ideology. Their chemistry was warm and believable — you could feel the room smiling every time they shared a scene. Nina Weiß added a wonderful splash of glamour and mischief as Hollywood star Janice Dayton, lighting up every moment she was on stage.

The whole production looked gorgeous, too. Marie Caroline Rössle’s costumes captured the elegance of 1950s Paris perfectly, and Martina Borroni’s choreography gave the show that irresistible Broadway sparkle. The Graz Philharmonic Orchestra, in fine form, brought Cole Porter’s smart, jazzy score to life with real swing and elegance. Highlights like "All of You" and the wonderfully cheeky "Siberia" had everyone tapping their feet — and more than a few humming along quietly.

What made the evening truly memorable, though, was the feeling underneath the glitz: Silk Stockings is all about finding common ground despite our differences, and last night’s performance made that message feel fresh and real. The audience clearly loved it, responding with warm, enthusiastic applause that went on and on. Graz has seen a lot of great nights at the Opera House — and this was definitely one of them.