How does leadership shape the arts? In this interview with Aalto EE, our CEO Samuel Harjanne discusses the combination of creativity and business, sharing insights on the evolving cultural landscape.
We are thrilled to celebrate the fantastic premiere of Risto Räppääjä ja Kaksoisolento, directed by our very own Samuel Harjanne making his debut directing for the big screen! This exciting family film has already captivated audiences across the country, drawing an incredible 50,000 viewers! A huge congratulations to the entire team behind this wonderful movie.
The journey is just beginning, and we can't wait to see even more people join in the fun and adventure. Grab your popcorn and catch Risto Räppääjä ja Kaksoisolento in theatres now!
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Harjanne Company Ltd are hiring!
Harjanne Company Ltd are looking for new talented individuals to join our team! We are seeking people for both creative and organizational roles. See more information below. We look forward to meeting you!
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Happy Birthday to us! 🎉
Today Harjanne Company Ltd is celebrating 6 years in action, and with many more to come! We want to send out a huge thank you to all our collaborators, creative team members for all productions we have been a part of and to all performers who pour their heart into the shows every day. We admire your passion and love for the arts! Thank you! Let's celebrate! 🥳
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Kinky Boots, A Winning Streak Continues with a New Premiere in Estonia!
"So what do you think boss?"
Harjanne Company Ltd and director Samuel Harjanne are proud to bring their celebrated production of Kinky Boots to life once again. This marks the third premiere of this spectacular musical under Harjanne’s direction, this time at the prestigious Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu, Estonia.
Previously, Kinky Boots dazzled audiences in Finland, playing to sold-out houses at both the Helsinki City Theatre and TTT-Theatre of Tampere. The production’s success is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the creative team behind it. A team that makes the magic happen again, but this time in Estonia.
"From London to Milan, stilettos are an ism!"
This vibrant collaboration combines Harjanne Company’s expertise with the remarkable contributions of Vanemuine Theatre’s own talented staff. Together, they bring this heartwarming and uplifting story of acceptance, friendship, and fabulous footwear to new heights.
We can’t wait to see Kinky Boots step into the spotlight once more and charm audiences in Tartu!
"He ain´t half the man Don is!"
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Annie Returns to Folketeateret! A Holiday Tradition Continues!
"It's a hard knock life for us!"
The beloved musical Annie, directed by Samuel Harjanne, is set to return to the stage on Friday, 22nd of November 2024, at Norway’s Folketeateret. This festive production is brought back in collaboration with Scenekvelder, following its previous success in Norway.
Harjanne’s Christmas themed adaptation of Annie was warmly received by Norwegian audiences, who praised its heartwarming story, engaging performances, and family friendly appeal. The positive reception has inspired plans to make this production a recurring feature during the holiday season in the future.
This production is supported by a talented and experienced Norwegian team whose dedication and collaborative spirit have ensured its success. Their efforts bring this cherished musical to life in a way that continues to delight audiences of all ages.
Be sure to catch Annie this holiday season, a delightful musical experience for the whole family!
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Samuel Harjanne to Direct Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in Denmark for Lion Musicals in Collaboration with Live Nation
Disney's Beauty and the Beast Premieres in Denmark 8th of July, 2025!
"True beauty lies within."
Samuel Harjanne is thrilled to announce that one of his next projects will be Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, produced by Lion Musicals in collaboration with Live Nation.
The production is set to premiere on July 8th, 2025, and marks a special milestone for Samuel, as it will be the first time he directs a musical in his new home country, Denmark. Following the premiere, the musical will embark on a tour across Denmark, bringing this beloved tale to audiences nationwide.
Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most cherished musicals, based on the iconic 1991 animated film that captured hearts around the world. The original score, composed by the legendary Alan Menken, features timeless songs with lyrics by Howard Ashman and additional lyrics by Tim Rice. This enchanting story of love, transformation, and acceptance has continued to resonate with audiences for decades, making it a true classic of musical theatre.
Samuel is deeply excited to bring his vision to this grand production and to share the magic of Beauty and the Beast with Danish audiences in what promises to be a spectacular and unforgettable experience.
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School of Rock Premieres at Tampereen Työväen Teatteri on September 5th, 2024!
The wait is finally over! On September 5th, 2024, School of Rock will make its grand debut in Finland at Tampereen Työväen Teatteri, bringing the electrifying energy of rock ‘n’ roll to the stage. This highly anticipated musical, based on the hit film, follows the story of Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who transforms a class of straight-A students into a mind-blowing rock band. Packed with high-energy performances, unforgettable music, and a lot of heart, this production is set to be a highlight of the theatre season!
The creative team and an incredible cast have poured their passion and talent into making School of Rock an unforgettable experience. From the seasoned professionals to our outstanding child actors, who will leave you in awe with their musical and acting skills, this show is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
Let’s rock the stage! 🎤🎶🎸 ROCKING AWESOME!
"Stick it to the man!"
"If you wanna rock, you gotta break the rules!"
Dewey Finn
"Hi! We are the School of Rock and we think you are really gonna enjoy this one!"
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Thank You!
This concludes our 5-year anniversary celebrations. Thank you to all our collaborators who has given us the trust in the past years, we look forward to work with you all again in the future. And thank you to all of You who had showed interest in this celebration. Here’s to 5 more years, at least!
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The future looks bright!
Harjanne Company Ltd are so proud of what we have achieved during our first years, with a lot of great partnerships with amazing theatres, creatives, performers – yes, the list of occupational groups goes on and on. Thank you to each and every one of you. But we won’t stop here, we have a lot of fun projects coming up in the future, both secrets and already published ones. Here are a few of our future productions.
Kinky Boots The success story of Kinky Boots continues abroad when the highly praised production moves to Estonia in Vanemuine Theater and premieres in November 2024. We cannot wait to Raise You Up once again! Estonia – let’s get Kinky!
School of Rock School of Rock the musical is premiering at Tampereen Työväen Teatteri in September 2024! Based on the hit film, this hilarious musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. Soon you will see what we have accomplished in our weekly rock school with our School of Rock children!
La Traviata Harjanne Company will dive into the world of Opera with the force of our entire team! La Traviata is opening February 2024 at Tampere-talo. La Traviata is a tragic tale about a Parisian courtesan, Violetta, who attempts to leave the life she knows behind to try and finally allow herself to follow true love. But family and reputation try to stand in the way of her and her love Alfredo.
We are so excited about what the future has to bring!
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"This was worth it. Risto Räppääjä ja kaksoisolento is one of the most dynamic films in the series. In Kaksoisolento, Kerkko Koskinen’s music and the extended musical sequences, guided by Harjanne, bring a positive energy to the film."
Risto Räppääjä ja kaksoisolento (2025) / Juha Rosenqvist, film-o-holic.com 14/2/2025
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With Harjanne’s direction that the series truly becomes a film musical. The songs are now woven into the story and used to deepen the characters. In a film musical, it is crucial that musical numbers are not just isolated performances but serve the narrative. Kaksoisolento succeeds in this perhaps better than any previous Räppääjä film."
Risto Räppääjä ja kaksoisolento (2025) / Juha Rosenqvist, film-o-holic.com 14/2/2025
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With great confidence, I can state that Samuel Harjanne's first Räppääjä film can indeed be considered a success. Out of all the Risto Räppääjä films so far, this one stands out as the most accomplished.
Risto Räppääjä ja kaksoisolento (2025) / Hannu Björkbacka, Keskipohjanmaa 21/2/2025
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Risto Räppääjä and the Double benefits greatly from Harjanne’s musical background. Under his direction, Risto Räppääjä has grown into a complete musical.
Risto Räppääjä ja kaksoisolento (2025) / Hannu Björkbacka, Keskipohjanmaa 21/2/2025
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Estonian society and the bleak late autumn need a production like Kinky Boots as much as oxygen. Thanks to Samuel Harjanne’s heartfelt and dynamic direction, the show is both uplifting and unforgettable.
Under Samuel Harjanne’s direction, Kinky Boots moves with an energetic pace, free of any dull moments. The brilliance of the production is contagious, even theatergoers leave the hall with fresher faces than when they arrived.