The Awning Man (UA)

Kim is 15 years old and lives with her mother, her stepfather, and her younger half-brother in an upscale neighborhood of Cologne. One day, her half-brother is seriously injured due to Kim's fault. As a result, she is not allowed to go with her family to Florida during the holidays, but is sent to her father: Ronald Papen, whom she hasn't seen in 13 years. Kim feels like an outsider in her family, not accepted by her stepfather, at best tolerated. She neglects her schoolwork and tests all boundaries. One day, her half-brother is seriously injured due to Kim's fault. As a result, she is not allowed to go with her family to Florida during the holidays, but is sent to her father: Ronald Papen, whom she hasn't seen in 13 years. Until now, she only knew a faded photo of her biological father. When she was two years old, he is said to have left her and her mother. From the sparse information, Kim has pieced together her own image of him. However, Ronald Papen turns out to be nothing like the powerful businessman she had always imagined. In fact, he lives in a warehouse in the Duisburg harbor with a huge stock of old East German awnings, which he has been trying to sell for years, with little success. After an initial period of awkwardness, the two grow closer. Kim spends a crazy summer. By the end of the holidays, both of their lives have changed forever. The girl also uncovers the mystery that led to her father's sudden disappearance 13 years ago. Jan Weiler's novel "Der Markisenmann" from 2022 is a wonderfully thrilling story with lovable quirky characters – hilariously funny and at the same time a profound reflection on guilt and responsibility. The Heilbronn Theater is presenting the stage adaptation of the novel as a world premiere.