¹ú²úAV Theatre Program stages ‘The Threepenny Opera’
The ¹ú²úAV Theatre Program concludes its 2023-24 season with a vibrant new production of the classic Brecht/Weill musical “The Threepenny Opera,†running March 21-24 in Taylor Little Theatre.
London’s most notorious criminal, Macheath (Mack the Knife), runs afoul of Jonathan Peachum when he marries Peachum's daughter Polly in a ceremony of doubtful legality. Peachum's resolve to have Mack sent to the gallows is complicated by the fact that Mack's old army buddy is the chief of police, Tiger Brown. Peachum and his wife commence a series of stratagems to ensnare Mack. Will he hang, or will he be offered an escape? Propelled by Kurt Weill’s extraordinary score, including standards like “Pirate Jenny†and “The Ballad of Mack the Knife,†“The Threepenny Opera†is a landmark of 20th-century musical theatre.
The cast includes 17 ¹ú²úAV students: John Carroll (Filch/Messenger), Parth Chandna (Crookfinger Jake), Abby Craig (Polly Peachum), Shane Dexter (Readymoney Matt), Ali Forsythe (Jenny), Nicole French (Lucy Brown), Bridget Gedeon (Smith), Kat Kanazin (Molly), Bella Mitlo (Reverend Kimball/Betty), Tori St. John-Gilbert (Mrs. Peachum), Eric Page (Walt Dreary), Maya Post (Coaxer), Mason Reynolds (Tiger Brown), Braden Rosciszewski (Macheath), Mekenzie Rowland (Dolly), Ben Vacca (Mr. Peachum), and Zachary Yeager (Bob the Saw).
The creative team includes director Dr. Brett D. Johnson, musical director Andrew Rainbow, choreographer Jennifer McNamara, scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, sound engineer Ben Friesen, production stage manager Kate Bentley, and assistant stage manager Alex Krivoshein.
Performances are Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre on the ¹ú²úAV campus.
Single tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and non-¹ú²úAV students, and $5 for youth and ¹ú²úAV students with ID. Each order is subject to a $1.50 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.
All performances are general admission, with doors opening 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Patrons can reserve their tickets online at , by phone at 814-824-3000 (Tues.-Thurs., noon to 5 p.m.) or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will also be on sale at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before curtain.
For more information, visit .
Warning: this production contains strong language and adult situations.