Mesmerizing Kalevala the Musical Ignites Int'l Online Buzz

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Feb. 1, 2019 - PRLog -- "So far, we've heard from people reaching as far as the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand, many asking for potential tour dates. This is both encouraging and motivating, to see the excitement building up across the world," said Telander.

"Within the past few weeks alone, we've seen immense growth in media interest and online visits. Across our music videos and social media platforms, we've reached millions, and received close to 100,000 video views," commented creative marketing director Valev Laube.

A native of Finland, residing in the Greater New York City area, Telander took on crafting The Kalevala into a musical theatre experience as a labor of love. "I want these stories to continue to inspire generations. The time is now for The Kalevala story to stand on its own alongside the classics," Telander said.

Kalevala the Musical (https://www.kalevalamusical.com/) is based on ancient folklore that eventually became the national epic poem of Finland. The Kalevala was published for the first time in a book of poetry by Elias Lonnrot in 1835 and has been a source of inspiration to many fantasy authors including J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of The Rings.

Telander's Kalevala the Musical is gaining momentum in the theatrical community. An Equity staged reading is in the works for New York this spring and a workshop event is being developed for San Francisco in September. Due to popular demand, a second concert is scheduled for Helsinki in April 2019.

"Kalevala is a fantasy story that teaches the younger generation the value found in history when taking on one's own struggles in life, and reminds the older generation to find strength in their roots and to stay true to themselves," said co-producer/cast member Kristi Roosmaa, who is a well-known actress-singer in her native Estonia and is known as the first Estonian musical theatre singer to perform at Carnegie Hall.

A pop recording artist in her youth, Telander's musical influences are rich and diverse including an eclectic mix of jazz, Finnish folk, and American musical theatre. Current New York cast members include Raissa Bennett (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Omer Shaish (RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR), Catrina Teruel, Tsubasa Ogawa (THE KING AND I ON TOUR) and Elina Miettinen (American Ballet Theatre). In collaboration with the NY cast, Finnish singer-actress Reeta Vestman (SOUND OF MUSIC, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS), and Finnish actor Mikael Haavisto (MAMMA MIA, THE LAST SHIP) have taken part in on-going New York workshops, and recently co-produced a star-studded cast concert of Kalevala the Musical to a sold-out audience at Helsinki's Kapsäkki Theatre.

For the latest information on Kalevala the Musical, follow their progress on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Kalevalamusical/) or visit the official website - www.kalevalamusical.com