The Millowitsch Theatre was less badly damaged by Anglo-American bombing during World War II than other city venues, and on 16 September 1945 it was re-opened, at the express request of Mayor Konrad Adenauer : "Die Leute sollen wieder wat zu lachen haben!". The Millowitsch siblings who had formally taken over responsibility for running the theatre, relaunched the venue by staging "Das Glücksmädel" (loosely, "The Lucky Lass"). Public success quickly returned, and more well received productions followed.