Arden Theatre Co Presents THE THREEPENNY OPERA, Previews 9/30

Arden Theatre Company continues its 2010/11 season with The Threepenny Opera, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's 1920's musical that paved the way for dark and bawdy works like Cabaret and Sweeney Todd. Originally written when Weill and Brecht were in their 20s, the original production was famously fraught with difficulties and dissention, with many assuming that the production would be a total flop. However, it went on to great success in Germany, and made its United States premiere in 1933 in Philadelphia.

The Threepenny Opera asks the question: Who is the greater criminal: he who robs a bank or he who founds one? While written at the height of the Weimar Republic in Berlin and set in London, the story has decidedly contemporary relevance regarding the juxtaposition of personal and criminal, and domesticity and brutality that has captivated today's audiences in such popular television shows as The Sopranos and The Wire. In all of these works, the line between criminal and law enforcement blurs, and even the most heinous offenders are humanized.

Brecht's aim to engage the audience by revealing the artifice of theatre is the perfect match for the Arden, whose productions often feature overt theatricality in intimate, black-box staging. The Threepenny Opera is the perfect synthesis of these ideas and forms, featuring cross-gender double casting, direct address to the audience, and a set that exposes the backstage workings of the production, from actor's dressing tables to the orchestra's musicians.

The Arden will present the version of The Threepenny Opera originally performed at London's Donmar Warehouse, which has a recent track-record of successful transfers to U.S. stages including Red and Frost/Nixon. "These newly translated lyrics are the most true to Brecht's original version, highlighting the imagery and poetry of the songs," says Terrence J. Nolen, the Arden's producing artistic director who will helm The Threepenny Opera. "While the lyrics engage the audience, asking them to think, the score is certainly one of the most beautiful and complex in 20th century musical theatre."

Audiences will be drawn into this evocative production featuring a versatile and highly physical cast. Philadelphia performers include Scott Greer as Peachum (Candide, Sunday in the Park with George), Mary Martello as his wife Mrs. Peachum (Candide, Sweeney Tood, Into the Woods), and Victoria Frings as their daughter Polly (Leaving and Rock ‘N' Roll at the Wilma, A 24-hour Bald Soprano with Brat Productions). Anthony Lawton plays police chief Tiger Brown (Romeo and Juliet, Sweeney Todd, The Seafarer) with Liz Filios as his daughter' Lucy (Candide, Sunday in the Park with George). Making their Arden debuts are New York-based actors Terence Archie as Macheath (Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity Off-Broadway) and Rachel Wallace as Jenny.

The ensemble, who will each play multiple characters, while moving, pushing and climbing upon scenery, features local actors Doug Hara (member Lookingglass Theatre Company, Something Intangible and A Prayer for Owen Meany),Sean Lally (Romeo and Juliet), Darren Michael Hengst (Sunday in the Park with George and Winesburg, Ohio), Bi Jean Ngo (Peter Pan), Clare O'Malley (recent UArts graduate), and Amanda Schoonover (James and the Giant Peach, Killer Joe and Hunter Gatherers at Theatre Exile), along with New York-based actors JamAl Lee Harris and Brianna Horne.

The creative team includes set designer Tom Gleeson (a recipient of the Princess Grace Award for his work on Threepenny, who recently designed the multi-tiered, steampunk set for the Arden's Peter Pan), lighting designer Thom Weaver (2010 Barrymore nomination for Blue Door), costume designer Rosemarie E. McKelvey (2010 Barrymore nomination for Sunday in the Park with George, 2009 Barrymore Award for Something Intangible), and sound and video Jorge Cousineau, (2010 Barrymore nomination for The History Boys). Leading the ten-member orchestra will be Musical Director Eric Ebbenga, who has received multiple Barrymore Awards and nominations for his work at the Arden.

The final dress rehearsal of The Threepenny Opera on Wednesday, September 29 at 8pm is open to the public as a Pay-What-You-Can performance, with all proceeds collected donated to MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance), who prepares and delivered delicious nourishing meals and counsel especially for people at acute nutritional risk due to life-threatening illness, empowering them to battle illness and improve their quality of life.

The Threepenny Opera previews begin on Thursday, September 30. Preview performances run September 30, October 1, 2, 3 and 5. Opening night is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 6. Closing is set for Sunday, November 7, 2010.

Single ticket prices are $29- $48, with discounts available for seniors, students, military and educators. Groups of 10+ enjoy significant discounts; please inquire about group rates. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, order online at www.ardentheatre.org, or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122.

To post a comment, you must register and login.