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Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Date of Death: August 14, 1956 (58)

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

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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.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Playwright

Writing

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Songs
Source Material
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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

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

Videos

News


Odyssey Theatre Founding Artistic Director Ron Sossi Dies at 85
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's founding artistic director Ron Sossi passed away on Wednesday, March 19, at the age of 85.
Rory Bremner to Launch 2025 Live Tour MAKING AN IMPRESSION
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2025

Master satirist Rory Bremner is back with an intimate show  that combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation, accompanied by a rotating cast of special guest hosts. Learn more about the tour here!
Tales from the Blacklist: The Shadow of McCarthyism On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 16, 2025

As Broadway prepares to reckon with the effect of McCarthyism on journalism in the new drama, Good Night and Good Luck, go deeper into the history of the Red Scare and its long-lasting implications for artists on Broadway and beyond.
Photos: Jessica Hecht and More in A MOTHER Rehearsals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. See rehearsal photos!
La MaMa To Present ABOVE GROUND - NOT EXACTLY A COMEDY, A Reflection On Aging By Ten Actors Age 74-98
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 8, 2025

In 'Above Ground - Not Exactly a Comedy,' ten senior actors reflect on how they deal with the undeniable fact of getting old, regaling the audience with improvised personal experiences of maturity, illness and loss mixed with childhood memories.
Lee Hall Adapts MOTHER COURAGE For New Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Ensemble ‘84 has announced the dates for its debut production, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht and adapted by award-winning writer Lee Hall.
Fergie Philippe Joins A MOTHER at Baryshnikov Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. See who is starring and learn more!
Fergie Philippe Joins Jessica Hecht in A MOTHER at Baryshnikov Arts
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. Fergie Philippe joins the previously announced Hecht, Delilah Napier, Zane Pais, and Portia.
Ute Lemper Celebrates Kurt Weill’s 125th with 'Mack the Knife' From New Album
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 3, 2025

To celebrate revolutionary composer Kurt Weill’s 125th birthday on March 2, acclaimed singer & actress Ute Lemper has released “Mack the Knife,” the new single from her album Pirate Jenny. Listen to it here!
THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN to be Presented at Cal State LA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 25, 2025

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State LA will present The Good Person of Setzuan. Bertolt Brecht's modern classic play is translated by Wendy Arons. Learn more and see how to attend.
Ute Lemper Celebrates Kurt Weill's 125th Birthday with New Album
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2025

In honor of revolutionary composer Kurt Weill’s 125th birthday this year, acclaimed singer & actress Ute Lemper has announced her new album, Pirate Jenny.
Review Roundup: URINETOWN Opens at New York City Center Encores!
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2025

The New York City Center Encores! season kicks off with Urinetown, which stars Jordan Fisher, Keala Settle, Rainn Wilson and more. Check out what the critics are saying about the production here.
Interview: Mwenya Kabwe of THE GREAT YES, THE GREAT NO at The Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts
by Andrew Child - Feb 4, 2025

'A dramaturg generally works as a kind of advisor to a playwright,” muses Mwenya Kabwe, a theatre-maker currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. How, then, does a dramaturg engage with a process in which there is no playwright in the strictest sense of the term?
Review: UTE LEMPER SINGS KURT WEILL at 54 Below Was Sublime
by Analisa Bell - Jan 31, 2025

The show was an exquisite celebration of both the rich history of Weill’s compositions and the unique interpretative brilliance of Ute Lemper.
Baryshnikov Arts Announces Lineup for 20th Anniversary Spring Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will kick off its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht, at Baryshnikov Arts, 450 W. 37th Street.
Works Starring Jessica Hecht, Marisa Tomei, and More Will Come to Baryshnikov Arts This Spring
by Stephi Wild - Jan 28, 2025

New productions featuring Jessica Hecht, Marisa Tomei, Christopher Abbott, and more are coming to Baryshnikov Arts this spring. Learn more about the upcoming spring season here!
DIE DREIGROSCHENOPER is Now Playing at Theatre Basel
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2025

Die Dreigroschenoper by Bertolt Brecht, with music by Kurt Weill, is now playing at Theatre Basel. Jörg Pohl, actor and co-director of the drama department at Theater Basel, was recently awarded the Gertrude Eysoldt Ring.
Student Blog: An End of Year Reflection on the Semester
by Student Blogger: Piper Greisl - Dec 31, 2024

In an end of year reflection, student blogger Piper Greisl looks back on her first semester as a junior and her first semester as a theatre student.
Review: STRANGER THAN THE MOON, Coronet Theatre
by Alexander Cohen - Dec 5, 2024

One for the Brecht completionists
Review: USF School of Theatre & Dance Presents Bertolt Brecht's THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI
by Peter Nason - Nov 23, 2024

Cody Farkas is stunning as the title character in Brecht's frightening and funny work.

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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