Katharina Knie (musical)

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Katharina Knie is a German musical with music by Mischa Spoliansky and a libretto by Robert Gilbert. It’s based on Carl Zuckmayer’s 1928 play Katharina Knie. It premiered on 20 January 1957 at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich. Hans Albers appeared in the original production, in his final stage role. The story follows the traveling Knie circus in a small town, hit hard by inflation. Acrobat Karl Knie takes on a managerial role and is not impressed with the main act or the circus band. Katharina falls in love with a farmer named Roth Acker, and the family faces a choice: keep living as wanderers or change their way of life. Katharina’s decision challenges the circus dynasty.