Premiere at the Deutsches Theater: Iowa” – A play about friendship and body awareness

Premiere at the Deutsches Theater: Iowa” – A play about friendship and body awareness

On Sunday evening the play “Iowa” celebrated its eagerly awaited premiere at the Deutsches Theater Göttingen. This work, based on an autobiographical novel by Stefanie Sargnagel, brings a refreshingly prickly mix of humor and socially critical comments to the stage. Sargnagel, who originally started out as an influencer and is now a successful author, provides an insight into her experiences in the USA with “Iowa”. Göttingen Tageblatt reports that the play's plot involves a trip to Iowa, a state best known for its agriculture and pork production. This also includes the dazzling stories that surround everyday life in a village of 8,000 people like Grinnell, where Sargnagel lived in 2022 to teach creative writing.

The main roles in “Iowa” are played by Tara Helena Weiß as Stefanie Sargnagel and Gaby Dey, who plays the musician and journalist Christiane Rösinger. Rösinger, who received the “Göttinger Elch” satire award this year, brings her musical talent to the piece and delights the audience with, among other things, an impressive Janis Joplin song. The chemistry between Sargnagel and Rösinger is sparkling and honest, which gives the dialogues a special authenticity.

Depth of content and social issues

Not only is the play an entertaining play, it also deals with serious issues such as body image, alcohol consumption, the pressure to lose weight and even body shaming. Sargnagel and Rösinger visit local bars together and explore the cultural peculiarities of their surroundings, which leads to sometimes bizarre but always honest encounters that are recorded in Sargnagel's book. This autobiographical element is in line with modern autofiction, a literary form that is becoming increasingly popular and increasingly attracting young authors. In this context, autofiction is not just a style, but a way of connecting personal experiences with social discourses Literature portal.

The film was directed by Sarah Maroulis, who is known for her critical examination of social norms. Her directing style results in a theatrical experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Maroulis attaches importance to the audience questioning the absurdities and contradictions of life, which gives the piece an additional dimension that the viewer should not find meaning from entertainment alone.

Details about the performance

The premiere was rewarded with loud applause from the audience, indicating that “Iowa” is both resonating with audiences and a relevant voice in the current theater scene. The next performances on the basement stage will take place on the following dates: December 7th, December 9th, December 16th, January 7th, January 22nd and December 17th at 8:30 p.m. Ticket reservations are possible by calling 0551/4969300 Göttingen Theater.