Show Synopsis:
At the Grand Hotel in 1920s Berlin, stories are unfolding all around: fatally ill Otto Kringelein is spending his life's savings on a luxurious vacation at the hotel, prima ballerina Elizaveta is trying to decide whether she should continue dancing, and Baron Felix Von Gaigern is trying to hide from a gangster whom he owes money. Elizaveta and the Baron fall in love and decide to go to Vienna together, but the Baron is coerced into stealing the wallet from a textile mill manager to pay his debts. During the crime, the Baron saves Flaemmchen from being raped by the manager, who is her boss, but is killed in the process. Otto offers to take Flaemmchen to Paris, and Elizaveta is consoled by her dresser.
Character:
Baron Felix Von Gaigern, a young and charming man; wants a way out of his dire financial problems; clever and emotional.
Song Context:
Elizaveta has discovered the Baron hiding in her hotel room, and as they talk about his alleged love of her dancing, he begins to fall in love with her. She is charmed by him and he begins to declare his love.
Fun Facts:
1. This musical was based on Vicki Baum's novel Menschen im Hotel (People in a Hotel) and subsequent play.
2. David Carroll originated the role of the Baron on Broadway. It was also the final role of his long and distinguished acting career, as he collapsed and died at the studio during the Grand Hotel cast recording session. He received a Drama Desk Award nomination for his performance.
3. The original choreographer and director of this musical, Tommy Tune, won the Tony Awards for Best Directing and Best Choreography.
"You never know it,
You never know,
You never, never, never, never, never know.
No, no, no, no,
You never know.
Deep in the heart, love has many ways
Of touching your emotions, taking control of you
And even in thought love can make you change.
There's no way of controlling love when it's part of you.
Well, you could be a married man with two kids and a good woman
And you could give your heart and soul, I swear it don't mean nothin'
'Cause love can pull you deep into a spell.
It will spin your mind around like a carousel, oh.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know where it's coming from.
You never know who you're gonna love.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know what you're gonna do
Whenever true love takes hold of you.
There's never a time 'cause love will let you know.
Love appears at the worst and even the best of times,
Takes over your mind, your heart is not your own.
There's no way of controlling love, it controls your life.
Well, you could be a faithful girl with a good heart and good intentions
And you could never leave your home, I swear there ain't no preventions,
'Cause love can pull you deep into a spell.
It will spin your mind around like a carousel, oh.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know where it's coming from.
You never know who you're gonna love.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know what you're gonna do
Whenever true love takes hold of you.
There's nothing love can't make you do when love takes hold of you.
You can have the purest heart and the finest attitude,
But I swear that don't mean nothin' when your heart's under the spell.
It will spin your mind around like a carousel.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know where it's coming from.
You never know who you're gonna love.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know what you're gonna do
Whenever true love takes hold of you.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know where it's coming from.
You never know who you're gonna love.
I'm telling you love makes things happen.
You never know what you're gonna do
Whenever true love takes hold of you.
You never know,
You never know it,
You never know,
You never, never, never, never, never know.
No, no, no, no,
You never know.
You never know,
You never know it,
You never know,
You never, never, never, never, never know.
No, no, no, no,
You never know.
You never know it,
You never know,
You never, never, never, never, never know.
No, no, no, no,
You never know.
You never know it,
You never know."