Threepenny Opera

5/13/03

CONTACT:
Margie Yu
Public Affairs Spec.
(323) 343-3047

Calendar
of Events

The People'’s Opera
Cal State L.A. presents The Threepenny Opera

Los Angeles, CA -- Of the people, by the people, for the people: Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s classic musical, The Threepenny Opera, sings a fanfare to the common man on the State Playhouse stage at California State University, Los Angeles, Thursday through Saturday, May 22-24 and 29-31.

Inspired by John Gay’s 18th century production, The Beggar’s Opera, and best known for its hit song, Mack the Knife, The Threepenny Opera is a dark comedy and commentary about social immortality and the power of the working class.

The Threepenny Opera was an instant hit when it premiered in Berlin in 1928. Its 1954 run in Greenwich Village was a tremendous success and is regarded as the hallmark production that launched the Off Broadway cultural scene in New York City.

Theresa Larkin, professor of Theatre Arts at Cal State L.A. and the play’s director, said that Brecht’s humorous allegorical railing against capitalism to Weill’s jazz-influenced score still rings true to 21st century audiences.

“Recent world events have strangely echoed the subtle warnings Brecht ‘embedded’ in The Threepenny Opera, concerning war, man’s inhumanity against man, poverty, crime, corruption, greed, indolence, self-interest and waste, making it resonate vibrantly with our present historical moment,” she added.

Kurt Weill’s widow, actress Lotte Lenya, wrote of the hit song, Mack the Knife, during the 1950s: “You hear it coming out of bars, jukeboxes, taxis, wherever you go. Kurt would have loved that. A taxi driver whistling the song would have pleased him more than winning the Pulitzer Prize.”

The Threepenny Opera will open on May 22 through 31, running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.

WHEN:
Two weekends: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings,
May 22-24 and 29-31, 8 p.m.

WHERE:
STATE PLAYHOUSE, CAL STATE L.A. – Eastern Ave. exit of the San Bernardino (10) freeway, at the intersection of the 10 and 710 freeways

TICKETS:
General Admission: $10, students and senior citizens: $8.

PARKING:
Public permit dispenser parking is available at 50 cents per hour in Lots C, F and G or upper level of Parking Structure II.

INFO:
Reservations—call the Cal State L.A. Theatre Arts and Dance Box Office, (323) 343-4118.

# # #