The Austrian artist Tom Neuwirth, known internationally as Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, will take on a speaking role at the Vienna Volksoper in the operetta “Die Fledermaus.” According to the theater, Neuwirth will appear in a Pride Edition as the jailer Frosch. The premiere is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
In a version of the script created specifically for the Volksoper by Jürgen Bauer and Moritz Franz Beichl, Johann Strauss’s classic becomes a “highly topical, pointed, and humorously biting” exploration of love, identity, and society’s norms, the press release said on Thursday. “The production thus sends a clear artistic signal—particularly in a moment when queer life is facing renewed pressure on the international stage.”
The role of the jailer Frosch is a comedic cornerstone and has traditionally been performed by prominent guest stars. Neuwirth is expected to bring the character a contemporary, distinctive signature.
Neuwirth was recently celebrated for his portrayal of the gay Habsburg Archduke Ludwig Viktor, also known as “Luziwuzi,” in the eponymous show at Vienna’s Rabenhof Theater (TheColu.mn reported). “I am overwhelmed and honored to be part of this special production,” the queer artist said of his new role. “I’m very excited that ‘Die Fledermaus’—one of the best-known works in the operetta repertoire—will receive a queer perspective for the Pride Edition, and I look forward to taking on and reinterpreting the iconic role of Frosch.”
