“The Threepenny Opera”

[rating=3] “Oh, the shark has pretty teeth dear- and he keeps them pearly white”. When one hears those words, they immediately think of Bobby Darin and “Mack the Knife”, a hit song of the 60’s. In reality, although many think it is about “Jack the Ripper”, this song is the opening song from “The Threepenny Opera” a special musical piece by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Wil that was composed in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptman. It is based on “The Beggar’s Opera” by John Gay and is what many call a very “Dark” musical.

When I was a young actor, I had the honor of doing this show with Robert Roundsville as we began in Detroit and then toured the Midwest. As an ensemble member and understudy, I learned a great deal from the experienced actors with whom I worked .  Over the years since, I have not seen another production of this play. It may be the darkness, but tonight, at Theo Ubique in Evanston I witnessed a different style of performance art to bring this masterpiece to the stage. I did not realize that this particular theater company started with a Kurt Weill revue “Songs of Darkness and Light” This was their first production of Weill works, and now, as they celebrate their 25th and look back at all the marvelous work they have done, they felt like it was time to do a Weill big musical using their “Cabaret format”. To use a line from “My Fair Lady”, ” I doubted they could do it, BUT succeed they did!”.

“The Threepenny Opera” under the direction of Artistic Director Fred Anzevino, is a striking and beautiful version of the story. Macheath (Carl Herzog is masterful) is the villain. He is a thief and his gang is notorious. He is also a lover that mates with every woman available and as the story unfolds we get to meet his stable of females. Macheath is also best friends with the Constable, Tiger Brown (Michael Mejia), an old army buddy.

The story deals with many of today’s situations dealing with politics and the differences between those who have and those who have not .One might call it a satire of the post-war rise of capitalism.The poor beggars go to Mr. Peachum (well played by Thomas M. Shea) who allows them to work an area for payment. This might have been the start of franchising. Mrs. Peachum is played by Megan Elk, who has an amazing vocal range, and shows it, but I miss the feeling between her and her daughter Polly (plyed to perfection by Chamaya Moody).

The other women in Macheath’s life ( that we meet in this play) are Lucy Brown, Tiger’s daughter (Nathe Rowbotham) and Jenny Diver (Liz Bollar handles this role to perfection and also adds doing the opening song with the ensemble). In the production I was in, this was handled by a street bum. With a smaller venue I can see why Anzevino cut characters out and made his ensemble play more than one role. By the way, they were terrific. Hats off to Grant Carriker,Tyler DeLoatch, Isabel Garcia,Peter Stielstra and Luiza Vitucci!

One of the problems with a musical of this nature is that with the exception of the “Mack The Knife” opener and closer, most people are not familiar with the music of this show. There are some terrific numbers though. “The World is Mean” ( the ending of act one), “Tango Ballad”, The Jealousy Duet”, and “Death Message” are memorable songs, but of greater importance, this show will be something you either love or hate. I will say this about the time of the show. It is a long evening of theater ( over 2 1/2 hours including one 15 minute intermission) and I suggest if you are sitting at a table, you might want to bring a cushion.

Being a cabaret setting, there is very little in the way of a set but Mara Ishihara has used the areas of the venue to create the feelings that are needed by Anzevina’s direction. The choreography by Jenna Schoppe is cleverly done in order to work around a stage that includes the audience in it. The musical direction by Ryan Brewster and his piano playing is right on and the sound (Daniel Etti-Williams) and lighting (Maggie Fullilove-Nugent) were right on. Cindy Moon’s costumes were creative ( remember, this is a low budget theater company) and the props (Lonnae Hickman) nicely done.

“The Threepenny Opera” will continue at Theo Ubique located at 721 West Howard Street, Evanston, thru April 30th with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays  6:00 p.m.

Tickets range from $45-$55 and are available at 773-939-4101 or online at www.theo-u.com

There is an option for a pre-show dinner . Information on menu is at website.

Masks are to be worn at all times when not drinking or dining.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Threepenny Opera”.