Hamburg sings and swings… as Germany's musical capital, the people of Hamburg long ago learned to play, sing, and dance their way to the top of the charts. Alongside New York and London, Hamburg is considered the world capital of the musical.

The rousing productions staged by Hamburg's four music halls are among the best the world's musical scene has to offer. Audiences can only concur. For years, they have come in the thousands from near and far to the banks of the Elbe, drawn irresistibly to the best-selling musicals on offer here. Hot on the tail of “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Buddy Holly,” “Mamma Mia!” (with its repertoire of cult ABBA songs from the '70s and '80s), followed these acts to rousing acclaim.

Meanwhile, "Dirty Dancing" in the "Neue Flora" renews people's passion for musicals every evening. There is also “Tarzan,” the city's latest musical offering and an old favorite and Disney classic "The Lion King," whose rousing rhythms and fantastic costumes transport audiences of all ages into the wonderful world of Africa. Another highlight is the hit musical “Ich war noch niemals in New York" (I've never been to New York) that once again proves Hamburg's Broadway qualities. The turbulent musical comedy featuring the best-loved hits by Udo Jürgens was greeted with great acclaim at its world premiere in December 2007. Hamburg's smaller stages also offer a wealth of musical entertainment. Firmly established in this category, for example, is the scene musical “Heisse Ecke” in Schmidt’s Tivoli on the Reeperbahn.