Drake University students have collaborated for three weeks on a full-scale production of Threepenny Opera, and a seat in the audience won’t even cost three pennies.
A team of 23 students from the music and theatre departments spent their January Term preparing the production of Kurt Weill’s bitter tale of beggars, prostitutes, and criminals. Free performances will run Thursday, Jan 22 to Saturday, Jan 24 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in Studio 55 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center.
Set in Victorian London, the story of Threepenny Opera centers on Mack the Knife, who is betrayed by his sinister in-laws and sent to prison after secretly marrying the daughter of Soho’s underworld boss. After being freed by the police chief’s daughter, he is again betrayed and sentenced to death. This masterpiece in musical theatre provides a savage, biting commentary on bourgeois capitalism and modern morality.
Students worked in just three weeks to coordinate choreography, set design, costume design, props, stage management, acting, and myriad other elements of the production. Drake music faculty members Andrew Ryker and Christine Fortner-Blanner are the show’s director and music director, respectively.
Admission is free but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Center Box Office made either in person, by calling 515-271-3841 or by visiting http://drake.edu/theatre/productions/fineartsboxoffice/.