Illinois’ Augustana College Presenting ‘Threepenny Opera’
The Augustana College Department of Theatre presents “The Threepenny Opera,” May 5-8, 2022.
Set in the impoverished back alleys of Victorian London, “The Threepenny Opera” follows underworld antihero Mack the Knife as he tries to woo Polly Peachum and elude authorities. Created in 1928 Berlin to speak out against capitalist corruption, this musical bluntly addresses issues that remain relevant today.
Through epic theatre, theatrical movement, and progressive music, Hauptmann, Weill, and Brecht’s work opens up difficult conversations about greed, oppression, and accountability within our society.
“In ‘The Threepenny Opera’ Brecht argues that a capitalist system drives people to do anything to make money. They steal, kill, and sell their bodies, and none of these actions is out of the ordinary” says director Shelley Cooper. “These activities will arise naturally because the characters live in a system that rewards ruthless competition. The past two years have forced us to have some difficult conversations about accountability, economic injustice, inequality for women, inequities for the LGBTQ+ communities, racism, corporate greed, privilege, and more. I think, if we don’t address these important conversations head on, we will be doing a grave disservice, and the same stories will keep being told.”
Shelley Cooper
By Bertolt Brecht and directed by Shelley Cooper, assistant professor of theatre arts.
Tickets can be purchased at Augustana.edu/tickets.
Performances will all take place in the Brunner Theatre Center. For additional information, please contact the Ticket Office at tickets@augustana.edu or 309-794-7306.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director/Choreographer…………………..Shelley Cooper
Assistant Directors………………..………Lindsay Edwards, Synth Gonzales
Stage Manager……………………..…..…Becca McNamar
Assistant Stage Manager…………..…….Natalie Hansen
Lighting Designer/Tech Director…………..Mike Turczynaki
Sound Designer……………………….…..Lindsey Edwards
Music Composer………………………..…Maureen Holmes
Instrumental Music Director………………Dr. Michelle Crouch
Scenic Designer……………………………Cameron Strandin
Costume Designer…………..…………….Emily Busha
Dramaturg…………………….……………Roger Pavey
Run Crew…………………………………..Joe Burck, Chris Celius
CAST
Macheath………………………………………….Benedict Wood
Peachum ………………………..……….Ezekiel Aurelius
Polly Peachum…………………….………Amy Nicholson
Mrs. Peachum…………………….……….Alyssa Frazier
Narrator…………………………….………Makupa Lungu
Jenny Diver………………………….…….Jacqueline Issacson
Tiger Brown………………….…………….AJ Perez
Lucy Brown………………….…………….Maria Coulter
Street Singer……………………………….Anya Giordano
Messenger…………………………………Ella Miller
Ensemble…………………………..………Brooke Barlow,Maggie Caliendo, Anya Giordano, Ella Miller, Hannah Wiyrick
