THE THREEPENNY OPERA
Classic Musical by Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht
Director/Producer: Bettina Matthias
bmatthia@middlebury.edu or 802-373-2556 or 802-443-3248
Assistant Producer: Algy Layden
alayden27@gmail.com or 802-989-1901
Musical Director: Hannah Rommer
AUDITIONS
Thursday, January 10 at 7 pm at Middlebury College Axinn 229
Saturday, January 12 at 2 pm at Middlebury Town Hall Theater
Callbacks Sunday, January 13 at 2 pm at Middlebury Town Hall Theater
Showdates: April 25-28, 2013
Bertolt Brecht’s/Kurt Weill’s THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1928) is one of the most successful musicals of all time, performed over 10,000 times world-wide since its premier in Berlin. Based on John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera from 1728 and set in London, THE THREEPENNY OPERA tells the story of two competing master rogues, the ruthless Mr. Peachum, who exploits a whole army of beggars to capitalize on people’s misery, and Captain Macheath, aka Mac the Knife, head of a criminal gang that pillages London’s wealthy. The rivalry gets ugly when Peachum’s daughter Polly decides to marry the charismatic Macheath…. A mix of ardent socio-economic satire and witty entertainment, THREEPENNY keeps audiences engaged with its unexpected developments, and audiences love especially its jazz- and cabaret-inspired tunes by composer Kurt Weill of which “Mac the Knife” is the best known.
Our production will explore in depth the play’s tensions between comedy and criticism and will include elements of Brecht’s special epic theater. Actors should be able to read music, and a trained voice would be a benefit but is not a requirement.
Cast: at least 17 roles that range in age from 17 to roughly 70.