The Cold Heart

With a new stage adaptation of the classic fairy tale “The Cold Heart,” the Lindenhof Theater brings to the stage a compelling story about wealth, humanity, and the search for true happiness. The production is based on the well-known fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff, adapted for the stage by Edith Ehrhardt. The young charcoal burner Peter Munk from the Black Forest dreams of a better life. Wealth, recognition, and social advancement seem within reach when the mysterious little glass man grants him three wishes. Peter chooses money, success, and prestige. But he soon realizes that material wealth alone does not bring happiness. In search of even greater wealth, he eventually turns to the sinister Dutchman Michel, who promises him immeasurable prosperity. The price, however, is high. Peter trades his beating heart for a heart of stone and thereby gradually loses his humanity. Only when he has gambled everything away does he begin to understand what really matters in life. The Theater Lindenhof’s production retells the well-known story for an adult audience while simultaneously building a bridge to the present. With music, powerful imagery, and great narrative force, the result is a theatrical evening that transports the audience into a fairy tale while also raising questions about our modern relationship to money, success, and humanity.