Steven Armin Novak in his role as Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin became famous without saying a word. Now he even sings! From June 10 to July 25, 2026, the Walensee-Bühne is bringing "Chaplin - The Musical" to the lake stage in Walenstadt. Seven facts about the play - and Charlie Chaplin.
The musical came to the stage in New York in 2012. And picked up seven Tony nominations on Broadway in 2013. In Walenstadt, it is being staged for the first time as an open-air production in Switzerland. The lakeshore becomes a theater hall, with the Churfirsten mountains as a backdrop.
The story of probably the most famous comedian in the world is told: Charles Spencer Chaplin, born on April 16, 1889 in the working-class districts of London. His father was an alcoholic, his mother mentally ill. His path leads via London's music halls to Hollywood - and to the role of the Tramp.
Switzerland was not a backdrop for Chaplin, but his home. Banished from the USA, he moved to the shores of Lake Geneva with his wife Oona O'Neill and eight children. He lived here for 25 years. In 1972, he was finally able to return to Hollywood and won his honorary Oscar. The audience honored him with minutes of standing applause. He died in 1977 in Corsier-sur-Vevey VD, where he is buried.
The text was written by Thomas Meehan. His name says little; his plays all the more: "Annie", "The Producers", "Hairspray". He won the Tony for Best Musical Book three times. Chaplin was one of his last subjects. The music and lyrics were written by Christopher Curtis, the German version by Nico Rabenald. The musical scooped up seven Tony nominations on Broadway in 2013.
The stage set measures 26 meters wide and up to 14 meters high. In the middle of it is a six by eight meter LED wall. It is semi-transparent. Original scenes from Chaplin's films flicker on it, while Lake Walen remains visible behind it: Cinema and nature in the same picture.
Anyone who wants to know how a musical is made will have the opportunity to do so on June 13, three days after the premiere. From 2 p.m., the Walensee stage opens its doors for the "Open Stage Day". Those who attend will get to know the ensemble personally, experience the stage technology up close and find out what goes on backstage.
The Walensee stage held a large casting audition for the cast. Two days, 140 applicants. Each person had exactly four minutes to impress in singing, acting and dancing. Viennese actor Steven Armin Novak took the role of the man with the bowler hat, stick and wobbly gait. Viennese actor Steven Armin Novak took on the role of the man with a bowler hat, cane and wobbly gait.