Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera, which premiered in 1928 in Berlin, is an adaptation of John Gay’s 1728 The Beggar’s Opera and has greatly influenced modern musical theatre. Set in the seedy underworld of 19th-century London just before the coronation of Queen Victoria, The Threepenny Opera  is a biting satire of the post-war society, wrapped up in Weill’s jazzy score and the tale of Mack the Knife, a debonair crime lord on the verge of turning his illegal empire into a legitimate business. Macheath’s ragtag band of felons, thieves and ladyloves prove to be untrustworthy as they all try to stay on top.  
The score for The Threepenny Opera, in the original electrifying translation by Marc Blitzstein, includes some of the most memorable melodies in 20th musical theatre, including Mack the Knife and The Barbara Song, which will be presented by a cast of 20 accompanied by a band under the direction of WSU Theatre’s new Musical Director, Rick Church.

To fully realize the music of Kurt Weill’s astonishing score, WSU Theatre was given a major grant from the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music.  Weill’s music has been called “one of the century’s most powerful creations,” by award-winning composer Virgil Thompson, and Bob Dylan wrote that “I was aroused straight away by the raw intensity of the songs.”

As part of the celebration of the Weill score for The Threepenny Opera, there will be a free Symposium on the Legacy of Kurt Weill following the matinee performance on Sunday, February 18 at 5:30-6:30 PM in the Recital hall (directly across the lobby from the Festival Theatre where The Threepenny Opera  will be performed) featuring Neil Gittleman, Maestro of the Dayton Philharmonic, Dr. Hank Dahlman, Dr. James Tipps, Dr. David Booth, and Dr. Kim Warrick of the WSU Department of Music, hosted by Dr. W. Stuart McDowell. 

This production features the talents of senior musical theatre majors Ashley Hannon (Macheath), Shavey Brown (Mr. Peachum), Julie Langan (Mrs. Peachum), Desi Shurelds (Polly Peachum) and Sarah Weinhardt (Jenny).  The Threepenny Opera  is directed by W. Stuart McDowell (Cabaret, As You Like It, South Pacific).  This production marks the first time McDowell will direct a Brecht play at WSU Theatre.  His professional credits include directing the New York premiere of Brecht’s The Life of Edward II, produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, and the American premiere of Brecht’s Downfall of the Egotist Johann Fatzer.   McDowell studied at Brecht’s theatre, the Berliner Ensemble, under a Fulbright Fellowship and has interviewed numerous of Brecht’s leading actors and colleagues. 

Choreography for The Threepenny Opera  is by WSU Theatre alumna Dionysia Williams, who played the lead in last year’s Annie Get Your Gun.  The Threepenny Opera’s set is designed by Don David (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Ragtime, Cabaret), with costumes Lisa Loen (Annie Get Your Gun), lighting by JT Mauric (The Story, Blithe Spirit), properties by John Larvarnway, and sound by Matt Rosenfeld (Grease, Annie Get Your Gun).