Looking Into The Blue Sky

Information

LOOKING INTO THE BLUE SKY
About Katri Helena, Tapani Kansa, Danny, and Hilkka Kinnunen

The musical tells the story of the early careers of Katri Helena and Tapani Kansa, and their rise to become two of Finland’s most beloved entertainers. It also portrays how the stories of these two stars intertwined in the Finnish schlager sky. Both were up-and-coming artists under Danny’s D-Production. They also performed in the operetta theatre led by Hilkka Kinnunen, who cast Katri Helena and Tapani Kansa as the stars of My Fair Lady. Inspired by the musical’s success, their record company decided to launch a joint tour for Katri and Tapani in 1971. Their Love Story tour was surrounded by speculation about a possible romance.

The musical is a colorful and eventful story of these artists’ lives during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The show depicts the glamour, mishaps, humor, and harsh realities of life on tour. It tells how Katri Helena, Tapani Kansa, Danny, and other top artists made their way to the brightest heights of the schlager scene.

The performance features some of the greatest hits, including Katson sineen taivaan (Looking into the Blue Sky), R-A-K-A-S, Syysunelmaa (Autumn Dream), Tuuliviiri (The Weather Vane), Katson autiota hiekkarantaa (I Look at the Deserted Sandy Beach), Paista päivä (Shine, Sun), Seitsemän kertaa seitsemän (Seven Times Seven), Lintu ja lapsi (The Bird and the Child), Anna mulle tähtitaivas (Give Me the Starry Sky), and many, many more.

Katri Helena is one of Finland’s most successful singers, with more than 1.5 million records sold. Her breakthrough hit in the early 1960s was Puhelinlangat laulaa (The Telephone Wires Are Singing). She is especially beloved by the public, with much of her appeal rooted in her strong Finnish identity—earning her the title “the blue-and-white voice.”

Tapani Kansa was a versatile singer whose repertoire ranged from schlager to rock and roll, artistic songs, and operetta. Talented, distinctive, and ambitious, he received glowing reviews. His breakthrough hit was a powerful interpretation of Delilah.

Ilkka “Danny” Lipsanen is a singer, entrepreneur, and music counselor. His most famous recordings include Kesäkatu (Summer Street), Tuuliviiri (The Weather Vane), and Kuusamo. Since 1966, Danny has run his own entertainment agency, D-Production. He is also known for his spectacular show tours, which he has organized since the 1960s. He pioneered a new kind of show culture in Finland, combining artists and bands with dazzling costumes, dancers, and light shows.

Hilkka Kinnunen is an actress, soprano, and theater counselor. She founded the Operetta Theatre in 1959. The theatre was based at Helsinki’s Rowing Stadium and toured across Finland, with guest performances also in Sweden and the United States.

Script: Katariina Leino
Director: Petri Lairikko
Costume and Set Design: Katariina Leino
Choreography: Elisa Lairikko
Starring: Elisa Lairikko, Saija-Reetta Kotirinta, Tommi Soidinmäki, and Petri Lairikko