German media are reporting on the upcoming summer open-air performances in Bad Segeberg, Schleswig-Holstein. The famous stage in the former quarry will feature well-known German actors and celebrities, including Michael Fitz, Hardy Krüger Jr., Manuel Varell, and Andreas Schafmeister. The shows will be based on the works of Karl May, the author of cult Western novels in Germany. This year's season, titled "Death Valley," draws on Westerns and frontier adventures. The event is a permanent fixture in the German cultural calendar, attracting tens of thousands of spectators each year.

Guest Stars in Summer Theater

Esteemed German actors Michael Fitz, Hardy Krüger Jr., Manuel Varell, and Andreas Schafmeister will perform in the summer spectacles in Bad Segeberg. Their participation is a key marketing and artistic element of the event.

Wild West Theme

The performances are based on the works of Karl May, the German writer who defined the imagination of the Wild West for generations of readers. This year's title "Death Valley" emphasizes the Western and adventurous nature of the spectacle.

Quarry Stage

The spectacles take place in the unique, open-air setting of a former limestone quarry in Bad Segeberg. The natural arena, known as "Karl-May-Spiele," is an iconic location for these large-scale productions.

Cultural Phenomenon in Germany

The summer performances in Bad Segeberg are a permanent and important cultural event in Germany, attracting tens of thousands of spectators each year. They represent the continuation of a long tradition of adapting Karl May's works.

German media, including Die Welt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and ZEIT ONLINE, report on preparations for the summer open-air performances in Bad Segeberg. This year's edition, titled "Death Valley," will bring a host of popular German actors and celebrities to the stage. Appearing in guest roles will be Michael Fitz, Hardy Krüger Jr., Manuel Varell, and Andreas Schafmeister. Their participation is announced as one of the main attractions of the season. The spectacles are based on the works of Karl May, whose characters, such as Winnetou and Old Shatterhand, are deeply rooted in German cultural consciousness. The performances will take place in the distinctive setting of a former limestone quarry, which has served as a natural open-air arena for decades. This location, known as "Karl-May-Spiele Bad Segeberg," is synonymous with large, family-friendly open-air adventure spectacles. The tradition of staging plays based on Karl May's prose in Bad Segeberg dates back to 1952. The initiative arose from a desire to revitalize the local economy and quickly evolved into a nationwide phenomenon. Over the decades, the biggest stars of German film and television have performed in the plays, and the quarry location itself has become one of the most recognizable venues of its kind in Europe, attracting millions of viewers in total. Media reports focus on the artistic announcements and the appeal of the cast, making no mention of any incidents or problems, which marks a clear departure from the content of the previous summary, which described debunked rumors about an accident. The current articles, all published on February 27, 2026, are promotional previews for the upcoming cultural season. They directly inform about the planned performances of well-known personalities, indicating the routine cycle of preparations for the summer theater season. Organizers invite famous actors each year to boost interest in the spectacle, which is an important event both for theater lovers and for tourism in the Schleswig-Holstein region.

Mentioned People

  • Michael Fitz — German actor, appearing as a guest star in the summer performances in Bad Segeberg.
  • Hardy Krüger Jr. — German actor, son of the famous actor Hardy Krüger, involved in this year's "Karl-May-Spiele."
  • Manuel Varell — German actor, known for television roles, participant in the summer spectacle in Bad Segeberg.
  • Andreas Schafmeister — German actor and presenter, involved in the production "Death Valley" in Bad Segeberg.
  • Karl May — German writer, author of adventure novels about the Wild West, on which the spectacles are based.