The musical "Joyride" premiered last autumn in Malmö. Roxette's classic songs as the foundation for a romantic comedy became a success.
This autumn, the musical is moving to Stockholm. The premiere will take place on September 11 at the historic China Theatre. But that's just the beginning, hopes Per Gessle, who aims to set up "Joyride" abroad.
That's my vision. Roxette was so big, so there's a capacity to reach that.
"Next Stop, Earth"
Per Gessle is tight-lipped about the concrete plans.
We can't talk about it now, but let's say that planet Earth is the next step, he says with a smile.
The "Joyride" that's coming to Stockholm will be slightly different from the Malmö version. Several new ensemble members will join, and Calle Norleń has made a new translation.
But Jessica Marberger will continue in the lead role as Stephanie.
I'm looking forward to doing this in Stockholm and getting to perform at the China Theatre. I love standing here now and telling this story, she says.
The plot of "Joyride" is based on English author Jane Fallon's book "Got you back!" and is a love triangle drama about stylist Stephanie, who discovers that her husband Joe has another woman.
And then you think it can only become "Thanks and goodbye, I don't want to live with you, we're done with this". But it doesn't quite become that. It becomes a bit more exciting things, says Jessica Marberger and laughs.
"New" Roxette
It's now over five years since Marie Fredriksson passed away, and Per Gessle has just restarted Roxette. He has recently returned from a tour in South Africa and Australia with Lena Philipsson as the new singer in the band.
It's a challenge for all of us to get into a project like this. But it's gone really well. On a scale of 1 to 10, it becomes an 11. It's been truly magical, says Gessle.
This summer, several performances await in Sweden and the rest of Europe. Will there be a continuation?
That's not the plan right now, at least. Now we're going to do a big summer tour and then we'll see. We'll decide in the coming weeks what will happen.
The Stockholm production premieres on September 11 at the China Theatre.
In the roles: Jessica Marberger, Lucas Krüger, Emilie Evbäck, Anton Lundqvist, Pia Ternström, and Hanna Hedlund.
