I Did It My Way

Music theatre

21.8.-31.8.2025

Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

Interdisciplinary music theatre about life after love.

Inspired by the music of Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra, I Did It My Way tells the story of a breakup between two opposites: a man who clings to the idea of love as something unchanging and a woman who embraces transformation, no matter the cost. She, a Black woman, finds her purpose in the civil rights movement, her voice rising in passion and protest. He, a white man, remains in Watertown, unable to move on. Rooted in the familiar, he retreats into nostalgia, searching for meaning in the past instead of the future. Her growth exhilarates her. He is left behind in a life that no longer fits. Their feelings unfold solely through music – duets and solos that weave together love and longing, harmony and discord, liberation and loss. I Did It My Way is inspired by the legacy of two legendary American musicians: Frank Sinatra and Nina Simone. The rising intersdisciplinary artist Larissa Sirah Herden (Lary) – her latest film project was awarded with a Grimme-Preis – and Lars Eidinger, one of the most famous faces of the German theatre and film landscape, embody the conflicted couple, accompanied by four dancers and a swinging big band.

Produced by Ruhrtriennale. Co-produced by Staatsoper Stuttgart and in partnership with Faso Danse Theatre.

Casting Call

We are searching one female and one male extra to act as doubles for the lead performers in the production I Did It My Way – Larissa Sirah Herden and Lars Eidinger. The video will be used as part of the live performance.

Find out more and apply

Collage of two black and white portraits of Larissa Sirah Herden and Lars Eidinger, both looking into the camera. — © Larissa Sirah Herden: Max Sonnenschein, Lars Eidinger: Ingo Pertramer

Cast

Conceived and directed by
- Ivo Van Hove
Musical Director, Arrangements
- Henry Hey
Choreography
- Serge Aimé Coulibaly
Set Design, Lighting Design
- Jan Versweyveld
Video Design
- Christopher Ash
Costume Design
- An D'Huys
Sound Design
- Erwin Sterk
Dramaturgical Advice
- Koen Tachelet
Associate Set Design
- Bart Van Merode
Associate Lighting Design
- Dennis van Scheppingen
Associate Sound Design
- Dennis Slot
With
- Lars Eidinger,
- Larissa Sirah Herden
Choreography performed and created by
- Ida Faho,
- Sylvie Sanou,
- Marco Labellarte,
- Samuel Planas
Vocal Coach
- Lucy Woodward

Supporters Ruhrtriennale

Supported by Ammodo.

Funded by Brost Stiftung.

With the kind support of the Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Ruhrtriennale e. V.

Visit

Language

English with German and English surtitles
Run time

ca. 1 h 45 min.
Notices

The event will address experiences of racism.
Introduction

An introduction will take place in the upper foyer of the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum 45 minutes before the start of each event.
Translation into German Sign Language

The performance on 23 Aug will be translated live into German Sign Language. You can register for seats with a good view of the interpreters using our online form. On YouTube, you can find an introduction to I Did It My Way in German Sign Language.