BWW Reviews: Miners Alley's THE THREE PENNY OPERA Plays It Too Safe
By: Michael Mulhern Oct. 15, 2012
Miners Alley Playhouse presents THE THREE PENNY OPERA playing now through October 21st in Golden, CO. A milestone of 20th Century musical theater, THE THREE PENNY OPERA is a biting satire of the post-war rise of capitalism, wrapped up in Weill's jazzy score and the tale of Macheath (Mack the Knife), a debonair crime lord on the verge of turning his illegal empire into a legitimate business. When Macheath marries Polly Peachum, her father, Jonathan Peachum, is greatly angered. Jonathan Peachum controls the beggars of London, and he strives to get Macheath hanged. Peachum exerts considerable political influence, and eventually Macheath is arrested and imprisoned. At the point of execution, in an unrestrained parody of a happy ending, a hard-riding messenger from the Queen dramatically arrives at the last minute, and Macheath is pardoned, and elevated to the title of Baron.
There is a reason that colleges across the US love to do this musical - it's a fun, raunchy social satire where the sky's the limit and you can be as dirty as you want to be. Unfortunately Miners Alley played it a little too safe in their interpretation of this naughty production. While the voices were lovely, the show as a whole needed to be a little more over the top and desperately needed some melodrama in order for the sarcastic humor of Brecht to shine. One perfect example of this was MacHeath's entourage, who were fun, but subdued. Had they been more bumbling and over the top, it would have been hilarious and had they had a eccentric gay character, the audience would have been in stitches. The menacing opening number was very good, but the show seemed to loose its way after that. What it really needed was more audience interaction and even though Act II let the humor out of the bag, Act I also needed a piece of that. Ultimately, I think that a British or Cockney accent would have really brought out those whimsical lines and further enhanced the performances One a complete side note, I have to say that I found the entire micromanagement of the homeless and peddling situation brought out in this play ironic, since we essentially do the same thing here in Denver with the selling of the Denver Voice newspaper (which I wholeheartedly applaud and support).
Richard Cowden as MacHeath was good and really carried the show, I only wish that he had added a bit more melodrama into his performance (example - when he had to leave his new bride, Polly). DoDeVeaux was having with his role as the menacing opponent Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum and was charismatic and fun to watch. His wife, Mrs. Celia Peachum (wonderfully played by Mel Horton) was also a delight, but I would have liked to see her more dominatrix side come out throughout the show. Megan Van de Hey sparkled as Low Dive Jenny and the audience loved her interactions with them in the beginning of Act II. Megan just has this way of capturing the audiences attention and hearts in any role that she does. Erica Lyn Cain has such a lovely voice, but I only wish that she had further embraced the "good girl gone bad" that is Polly Peachum. Her adversary, Lucy Brown (played by Juliette Brown) was dramatic and also quite good and the girls bitchy interactions together were fun to watch. One thing that I think would have completed their roles would be an accent. If Polly had a squeaky NY accent that would contort into a domineering voice when she was in charge and Lucy had a Jersey accent (she eerily reminded me of Snooki, and I mean that in a good way), this would have had really brought out the humor of their roles. Robert L. Gale as the Minstrel of Many Voices was diverse in his range, giving each of his many characters depth and lightheartedness.
I loved the simplicity of the scenic design by Richard H. Pegg. It was industrial meets bohemian sheik and the vintage posters were a nice touch. Erin Leanord really brought out the range from raunchy to sophistication with all the fabulous costumes and gave each character a well rounded look. Direction by El Armstrong was adequate but I do have too hold him accountable for missing obvious comedic moments of the sarcasm and irony that is Brecht. Also the lack of energetic inertia that made the play seem stilted at times and an infusion of Fosse would have helped the choreography out greatly. Boni McIntyre as the music director picked some great singers for this show and the music was good. Just watch those levels on the keyboard so it doesn't drown out the singers.
Miners Alley's THE THREE PENNY OPERA performing now through October 21st. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. *(Sunday, October 21 is at 2 p.m.; no 6 p.m. performance that day). For tickets or more information, by calling 303-935-3044 or online at www.minersalley.com. Miners Alley Playhouse is located at 1224 Washington Avenue (13th and Washington, 2nd floor entrance on 13th) in Golden, CO.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Roshanf
Megan Van de Hey as Low Dive Jenny and cast
Dana Hart and Lucy, Erica Lyn Cain as Polly and Richard Cowden as MacHeath
Mel Horton as Mrs. Celia Peachum and Don DeVeux as Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum
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