"Good Morning, Beautiful" scenic musical presentation

Heike Schmidt introduces Maxie Wander and "her women." Reiko Pieper sings songs from the GDR era. Maxie Wander was 44 years old when her book was published in 1977. Hundreds felt addressed by it—not only in the GDR. Maxie Wander did not live to see her book later adapted for the stage. "Good Morning, Beautiful" had to remain a literary solitaire, as the author passed away in November of the same year. Many still remember the refreshing "life confessions" that Maxie Wander recorded in the form of tape transcripts from women aged 17 to 80. Less known is that Maxie Wander also wrote herself and her life into these recordings. When we read the transcripts, we also read about an author who never quite arrived in the GDR, where she moved in 1958 with the 16 years older and already well-known Jewish author Fred Wander. The tragic accidental death of her daughter, her difficulties in dealing with her adoptive son Berti, her Austrian background, and her indomitable audacity shaped this woman. She had a special ability to "unlock" people, to encourage them to tell stories from their lives, to reflect honestly, sometimes shamelessly, but always excitingly and with a focus on life. This is what the women's transcripts still represent today. Heike Schmidt brings Maxie Wander and some of her female characters to life on stage, while Reiko Pieper provides musical contrasts with well-known songs from the GDR. The reading "Good Morning, Beautiful" is a homage to Maxie Wander, a look back at the East German 70s and 80s, and a testament to life in general.