‘Threepenny Opera’ Opens At Rock Island’s Augustana TONIGHT
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.”
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.
