Photo Flash: First Look at Mitchell Jarvis and Natascia Diaz in Signature Theatre's THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Virginia's Tony-Award winning Signature Theatre releases a photo of their production of 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). Check out a first look at the duo in a promotional image below!

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 begins performances on April 22.and runs for 6 weeks through June 1, 2014 in Signature's MAXTheatre. All tickets are now on sale. More information is at signature-theatre.org.

Photo Credit: Chris Muller