The musical’s director is the American Gabriel Barre and the author of the libretto is Norman Allen. Music is by Frank Wildhorn. It was him who had the idea to write an original musical for Karlín Theatre, since he liked the production of his musical Jekyll & Hyde on its stage.
The main role in Carmen is played by Lucie Bílá. Other singers include Václav Bárta as García, Markéta Poulíčková as Katarina and Robert Jícha as José.
One of the reasons why the musical ends is the engagement of Lucie Bílá in the role of Amneris in the Czech version of the musical Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice. Its first night in Karlín Musical Theatre is planned for October 2012.
The successful Carmen offers energetic dance creations, professional circus performances, as well as magic tricks. An important property in the musical is the roofed circus and a cage with a live lion, which belongs to Ludvík Berousek. The performance also features a camel, a lama and a snake. The spectacular performance is full of fire, gunshots and knife-throwing. In one night, the costumes are changed 170 times, Carmen changes her costume twelve times.
The story is set in the present. Prosper Mérimée’s novel, which is situated in the Spain of the 19th century, only served as an inspiration.