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Solo show featuring readings, images, and videos with Thorsten Nagelschmidt

“Oh, the pressure we put on ourselves this time of year...—I call it Stressmas.” – Dr. Melfi, The Sopranos

Amid the tinsel, gingerbread, and childhood memories, many people experience a quiet disappointment year after year that Christmas never quite turns out as hoped. Thorsten Nagelschmidt has drawn his conclusions: He no longer celebrates. Instead, he escapes to an all-inclusive hotel in Gran Canaria—and takes escapism to the extreme: His plan is to watch “The Sopranos,” arguably the most famous TV series in history, in its entirety—eleven days, seven seasons, 86 hours. To do so, he books a room on the Royal Level, where children aren’t allowed, the culinary offerings meet the highest standards, and an exclusive wristband grants access to the members-only wellness area. His travelogue becomes a text that is as unsparing as it is humorous, exploring escape, loneliness, the “non-places” of the vacation industry, and what is perhaps the strangest time of the year. Thorsten Nagelschmidt, born in 1976 in Rheine, is an author, singer, and guitarist for the band Muff Potter.

In cooperation with the Merlin Cultural Center