Production of 'The Threepenny Opera'

The Departments of Music and Theatre collaborate to present Bertolt Brecht's "The Threepenny Opera."

Notice: this information is for a past event.
Location:
Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts - Sharon Martin Hall
Ticket Info:
This event is free and open to the public, however tickets are required. Tickets available March 24.
Questions:
The Balladeer stands at the base of the gallows, taunting Maceath as he stands to be hanged. The police, Mrs. Peachum, Inspector Brown, and several Ladies of Grape Lane watch.

“The Threepenny Opera” 

  • Music Based on The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay 
  • Book Written by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill 
  • In Collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann 
  • Translation by Simon Stephens 
  • Annette Thornton, Co-Director 
  • Kevin Wines, Co-Director 
  • Mark Mineart, Fight Director 
  • Rob Johnson, Scenic Designer 
  • Rebecca Baygents Turk, Costume Designer 
  • Rob Johnson, Scenic Designer 
  • Duncan Jones ‘24, Stage Manager

A play with music based on John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera” by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann. Written in 1928 “The Threepenny Opera” is a biting satire of the post-war rise of capitalism, wrapped up in Kurt Weill’s jazzy score, and the tale of Macheath, a debonair crime lord on the verge of turning his illegal empire into a legitimate business. Songs from “Threepenny” have become classic standards, including “Pirate Jenny” and most notably, “Mack the Knife,” which has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble.

This production will be co-directed by Annette Thornton and Kevin N. Wines and accompanied by the Denison Wind Ensemble conducted by Christopher Westover-Muñoz.

Performance Dates and Times are as follows:

  • Friday, April 14, at 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m.
Maceath stands over the dead body of Betty, as several gang members and Ladies of Grape Lane look over in horror.
The Balladeer begins to sing “Mack the Knife.” They are wearing a top hat and a velvet maroon suit with coat tails.
Gang members Jimmy, Robert, Matthias, and Walter in front, perform a song for Maceath and Polly at their wedding.
Polly, wearing her wedding veil, and Maceath hold onto each other as they sing a duet.
Betty sits with Walter, Robert, and Matthias, who are playing a card game as they wait for Maceath at the brothels of Grape Lane.
Jenny closes her eyes and sings “Surabaya Johnny" while a Lady of Grape Lane watches her from far away.
Jenny spins out of a tango with Maceath at Grape Lane, as the gang plays a card game and another Lady watches.
Lucy marches past Maceath in his jail cell, where he sits with shackles on his hands. Her hands are raised and she looks outward in excitement.
Polly holds out paperwork for Maceath to sign while in his jail cell. He holds a pen in one hand as he raises his shackles to sign.
The Balladeer stands at the base of the gallows, taunting Maceath as he stands to be hanged. The police, Mrs. Peachum, Inspector Brown, and several Ladies of Grape Lane watch.

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