Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Date of Death: August 14, 1956 (58)

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

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Bertolt Brecht BIO

Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright, director, and poet who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century theatre. Born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany, Brecht was the son of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. He studied medicine at the University of Munich but soon turned his attention to writing and theatre.
Brecht's first major success as a playwright came with his play "Drums in the Night," which premiered in 1922. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Brecht as a major figure in German theatre. He went on to write several other plays, including "In the Jungle of Cities" (1923), "The Threepenny Opera" (1928), and "The Mother" (1932).
Brecht's plays were known for their political and social commentary, and he often used his work to critique capitalism and the rise of fascism in Germany. He was a committed Marxist and believed that theatre should be used as a tool for social change. His plays were also known for their use of "alienation" techniques, which were designed to distance the audience from the action on stage and encourage them to think critically about what they were seeing.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Brecht was also a prolific director and producer. He founded the Berliner Ensemble in 1949, which became one of the most important theatre companies in Europe. He also worked extensively in film, writing and directing several movies, including "Kuhle Wampe" (1932) and "The Threepenny Opera" (1931).
Brecht's influence on theatre and performance is still felt today. His ideas about theatre as a tool for social change and his use of alienation techniques have been adopted by many contemporary theatre practitioners. His plays continue to be performed around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of playwrights and directors from Samuel Beckett to Tony Kushner.
Brecht died on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin, Germany. His most recent work was the play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," which was first performed in 1948.

Bertolt Brecht Productions

 
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Bertolt Brecht Movies

The Threepenny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
The 3 Penny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
Ubiytsy vykhodyat na dorogu
[ 1942 ] writer
Frauenschicksale
[ 1952 ] lyricist
Katzgraben
[ 1957 ] writer
Mother
[ 1958 ] writer
Mother Courage and Her Children
[ 1961 ] writer
Der Tod des Flohzirkusdirektors
[ 1973 ] writer
Galileo
[ 1975 ] writer
The Life Story of Baal
[ 1978 ] writer
Mahagonny
[ 1980 ] writer
Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht 1948 (Suhrkamp Verlag)
[ 1992 ] writer
The Career of Arturo Ui: New Version
[ 1996 ] writer
L'étude du chercheur ambulant
[ 2009 ] writer
Im Dickicht Der Städte
[ 2013 ] writer
Santa Joana dos Matadouros
[ 2014 ] writer

Bertolt Brecht Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Bertolt Brecht, Happy End


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Oustanding Lyrics

Bertolt Brecht, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Bertolt BrechtThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Bertolt Brecht Videos

Bertolt Brecht News


RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY is Now Playing at The Greek National Opera


The Greek National Opera is now presenting Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s iconic opera Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, from 12 April 2024 and for a run of six performances, at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, in the SNFCC.

Laibach Share Two Track Single 'Opus Dei Live 1987-1989 PT. 1'


LAIBACH has released a new two-track single, “Opus Dei Live 1987 - 1989 pt.1”,  featuring two unreleased live recordings: “Leben heisst Leben (Opus Dei)”  Live from London, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 1987 and “F.I.A.T. (Let It Be)”  Live from Paris, Espace Ornano, 1992. Both tracks are from the expanded edition of their 1987 album, Opus Dei, which is set to be released digitally on Mute on May 10, 2024. Listen to the tracks here!

URINETOWN THE MUSICAL Comes to Texas State University Next Week


Texas State University's Department of Theatre and Dance will present Urinetown April 16-21 in the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.

In a Deconstructed and Immersive Production CABARET KIT KAT CLUB Opens in Brazil


In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920's draw to a close, a garish MC welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee's bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.

Interview: Ron Sossi of STALIN'S MASTER CLASS at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble


When director Ron Sossi elected to present Stalin’s Master Class at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble for the second time, he was aware that audiences might respond differently to the production than they did to the previous staging 37 years ago.

The Wilma Theater Announces Four Philadelphia Premieres And More for 2024-25 Season


Discover the exciting new 2024-25 season productions announced by The Wilma Theater. Get the latest details on the upcoming shows and subscription options.

URINETOWN Comes to Cal State Fullerton This Spring


Cal State Fullerton’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “Urinetown the Musical.” With music by Mark Hollmann and lyrics by Greg Kotis,“Urinetown” is directed by Collette Rutherford, with musical direction by Michelle Do and choreography by Tula B. Strong.

Tony Kushner Joins Rachel Maddow at Provincetown Town Hall This May


The Provincetown Bookshop has announced that Tony Kushner, the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright of Angels in America, will join Rachel Maddow, the Emmy-Award winning author and host of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, for its special live event: An Evening with Rachel Maddow on Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 6:30 PM EDT at Provincetown Town Hall. 

THE VISIT Will Be Performed by The USC Department of Theatre and Dance


The USC Department of Theatre and Dance will conclude its 2023-2024 season in “epic” fashion with a production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit, April 5-12 at Drayton Hall Theatre.

Irondale Hosts THE STRENGTH IN US One-Night-Only Performance This Month


Irondale will present The Strength in Us, a one-night-only performance on March 29th, to benefit The Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp, Occupied Palestine.

The Wilma Theater Presents Radical New Production Of THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN


Discover the radically reclaimed production of THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN by Bertolt Brecht at The Wilma Theater.

Regresa El Ciclo La ENAT En Escena Para Fomentar En La Comunidad Escolar La Experiencia En El ámbito Teatral


Explore the return of the ENAT on stage cycle, an initiative aimed at fostering theatrical experiences among school communities. Discover how this program is enriching the arts in Mexico City.

Review: URINETOWN, Alexander Gibson Opera Studio


Drawing on Theatre of the Absurd, clowning and Bertolt Brecht, this Tim Burton-esque musical uses quirky song and dance to explore humanity's deepest, darkest truths. 

Carnegie Hall's FALL OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC: DANCING ON THE PRECIPICE Festival Continues This Spring


Experience the continuation of CARNEGIE HALL's FALL OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC: DANCING ON THE PRECIPICE festival this spring.

Hedgerow Theatre Extends Production Of Enda Walsh's THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM


Hedgerow Theatre Company is currently presenting The New Electric Ballroom, a modern classic from the pen of Irish playwright Enda Walsh. Learn more about the extension here!

Review: MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN at Ensemble


What did our critic think of MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN at Ensemble?

MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN Extends Through March 9 At Trap Door Theatre


Trap Door Theatre Presents Mother Courage and her Children by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Eric Bentley and directed by Max Truax. Extended through March 9, 2024.

Strollers' Theatre to Present MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN in February


'Discover the thought-provoking Strollers' Theatre production of Mother Courage and Her Children, a multi-media exploration of America's role in global war.

Carnegie Hall Presents ACO In AMERICA IN WEIMAR: ON THE MARGINS, March 12


On Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7:30pm, Carnegie Hall presents the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) in America in Weimar: On the Margins at Zankel Hall. 

Bertolt Brecht FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Bertolt Brecht written?

Bertolt Brecht has written 36 shows including Die Sieben Todsünden (Lyricist), Mother (Playwright), Galileo (Playwright), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Lyricist), Man is Man (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Bookwriter), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Source Material), Baal (Playwright), The Exception and the Rule/ The Prodigal Son (Playwright), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Drums in the Night (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Libretto), The Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny (Bookwriter), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Lyricist), The Measures Taken (Playwright), Downfall of the Egotist Johann Fatzer (Playwright), Happy End (Bookwriter/Lyricist), A Kurt Weill Cabaret (Lyricist), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), The Antigone of Sophokles (Playwright), An Evening with Ekkehard Schall (Material), The Threepenny Opera (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), In the Jungle of Cities (Playwright), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Mother Courage (Playwright), LoveMusik (Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Good Person of Szechwan (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Playwright).

What awards has Bertolt Brecht been nominated for?

Bertolt Brecht has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Happy End," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Mother Courage and Her Children," and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle."

What awards has Bertolt Brecht won?

Bertolt Brecht has won several awards throughout his career. Some notable awards include Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle". These accolades recognize Brecht's exceptional talent and contribution to the world of theater.

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