Photo Flash: First Look at Mitchell Jarvis, Erin Driscoll, Natascia Diaz and More in Signature Theatre's THE THREEPENNY OPERA
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 28, 2014
Virginia's Tony-Award winning Signature Theatre presents The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's cutting and enduring critique of capitalism and corruption. Directed by Signature Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Tender Napalm, Dreamgirls, Really Really), the production stars Mitchell Jarvis (Broadway's Rock of Ages) as the charismatic Macheath, known to popular culture as Mack the Knife and Natascia Diaz (Jenny; Broadway's Man of LaMancha, Signature's Brother Russia, Kiss of the Spiderwoman). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
The MAX Theatre transforms into London's gritty underworld in this reimagined futuristic dystopia for The Threepenny Opera, an adaptation of John Gay's 1728 ballad-opera The Beggar's Opera, a satirical commentary on politics, poverty, injustice and corruption at all levels of society. The haves clash with the have-nots while Macheath, the ultimate sneering anti-hero, perches in the middle of the storm. Paired with a haunting jazz score by Kurt Weill, Brecht's humorous and challenging libretto, originated the popular songs "The Ballad of Mack the Knife," "Life's A Bitch (and Then You Die)" and "Pirate Jenny." Signature's production will feature an adaptation by Robert David MacDonald (book) and Jeremy Sams (lyrics), which first appeared at London's Donmar Warehouse in 1994.
The creative team includes Musical Direction by Gabriel Mangiante; Dialect Direction by Lynn Watson; Scenic Design by Misha Kachman; Costume Design by Frank Labovitz; Wig Design by Anne Nesmith; Lighting Design by Colin K. Bills; Sound Design by Lane Elms; Video Design by Rocco DiSanti; and Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein.
The Threepenny Opera began performances on April 22 and runs for six weeks through June 1, 2014, in Signature's MAXTheatre. All tickets are now on sale. More information is at signature-theatre.org.
Photo Credit: Margot Schulman
Jenny (Natascia Diaz) sings 'The Flick Knife Song'
Mr. Peachum (Bobby Smith) discusses the complications in 'arousing human pity'
Mrs. Peachum (Donna Migliaccio) and Mr. Peachum (Bobby Smith) lament about 'Kids Today'
Reverend Kimball (Thomas Adrian Simpson, center) oversees the marriage of Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) and Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis)
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) sings 'Pirate Jenny'
Tiger Brown (John Leslie Wolfe) confronts Crook-Finger Jake (Sean Fri)
Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis, left) holds court on his wedding day (from left clockwise: Erin Driscoll, Sean Fri, Thomas Adrian Simpson, Paul Scanlan, John Leslie Wolfe, Ryan Sellers, and Rick Hammerly).
Tiger Brown (John Leslie Wolfe) and Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) relive their military days in 'The Cannon Song'
Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis, center) introduces Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) to Tiger Brown (John Leslie Wolfe)
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) and Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) sing 'Love Duet'
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) sings 'Barbara�s Song'
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) sings 'Barbara�s Song'
Mrs. Peachum (Donna Migliaccio) and Mr. Peachum (Bobby Smith) plot the execution of Macheath.
Mrs. Peachum (Donna Migliaccio), Mr. Peachum (Bobby Smith) and Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) sing 'Life�s A Bitch'
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) warns Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) of her father�s plot to have him executed.
Mrs. Peachum (Donna Migliaccio) sings 'The Ballad of Sexual Imperative'
Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis, center) has a laugh with Crook-Finger Jake (Sean Fri), Betty (Jamie Eacker), and Nelly (Jessica Thorne).
Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) sings 'A Pimp�s Tango'
Jenny (Natascia Diaz) and Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) dance in 'A Pimp�s Tango'
Jenny (Natascia Diaz) sings 'A Pimp�s Tango'
Smith (Thomas Adrian Simpson, center) hauls Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) off to jail as Mrs. Peachum (Donna Migliaccio, left) and Jenny (Natascia Diaz, right) look on.
Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) sings 'The Ballad of Easy Life'
Lucy Brown (Rick Hammerly) and Macheath (Mitchell Jarvis) embrace
Polly Peachum (Erin Driscoll) and Lucy Brown (Rick Hammerly) vie for the love of Macheath
Lucy Brown (Rick Hammerly) stands her ground
The Cast of THE THREEPENNY OPERA
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