John & Jen
Andrew Lippa & Tom Greenwald
Synopsis
A truly original musical that takes a look at the complexities of relationships between brothers and sisters and parents and children, set against the background of a changing America between 1950 and 1990, John & Jen is a gem of a show brimming with intelligence, wit and beautiful melodies.
This is the story of Jen and her relationships with the two Johns of her life: her younger brother and his namesake, her son who is trying to find his way in a confusing world. With a cast of only two people, John & Jen is a tour-de-force for two actors who take Jen and John (both of them) from childhood, through adolescence and beyond.
A chamber musical, beautifully scored for piano, cello and percussion, John & Jen is a musical about connections, commitments and the healing of the human heart.
Team
| Direction | Robert G. Neumayr |
| Musical Direction | Bernhard Jaretz |
| Set | Marc Rothschild |
| Costume | Anna Pollack |
| Light | Tom Barcal |
| Assistance | Alice Gonzalez-Martin |
| Performance | Denise Jastraunig, Lukas Müller |
Impressions
In der sehr intimen Inszenierung von Robert G. Neumayr überzeugten die bei-den äußerst talentierten Protagonist*innen durch die glaubwürdige Darstellung ihrer Figuren in verschiedenen Altersstufen. [...] Kurz gesagt: Auch in kleinem Rahmen lassen sich Musicals hervorragend insze-nieren. Das beweist das engagierte Team des Theater Spielraum mit der öster-reichischen Erstaufführung des Kammermusicals „John & Jen“ aufs Neue. Bravo!unisex.at, Februar 2026
You should always be careful what you wish for, but sometimes it’s a good thing to get your wish granted. [...] Neumayr paved the way for his actors, allowing them to dive deep into the rollercoaster of emotions. [...] Theatre educates, theatre teaches, and, with JOHN & JEN Neumayr, taught us the importance of forgiveness and of telling your beloved ones how much you adore them, even after an argument, because you never know, this goodbye might be your last one. [...] Neumayr did it again, he brought another Off-Musical to life [...] with authenticity, charm, and loads of heart. [...] This is a must-see, not just for Musical Theatre geeks.broadway World, Februar 2026
Es ist mir völlig schleierhaft, wie oder woher das Theater Spielraum bzw. Regisseur Robert G. Neumayr immer so dermaßen geniale Stücke daherbringt. Tatsache ist aber, es passiert. Ganz wunderbar. [...] Eine emotionale Achterbahn, musikalisch noch höchst geschaukelt, die in allen Dimensionen hier im Spielraum maximal gelingend umgesetzt wird. [...] Letztverantwortlich, von der Entdeckung des genialen Stücks bis hin zu seiner fabelhaften Regie Robert G Neumayr.#LandausSchnellkritik, Februar 2026
