The Mercyhurst Theatre Program concludes its 2023-24 season with a vibrant new production of the classic Brecht/Weill musical “The Threepenny Opera,” in Taylor Little Theatre.
London’s most notorious criminal, Macheath (Mack the Knife), runs afoul of Jonathan Peachum when he marries Peachum’s daughter Polly in a ceremony of doubtful legality. Peachum’s resolve to have Mack sent to the gallows is complicated by the fact that Mack’s old army buddy is the chief of police, Tiger Brown. Peachum and his wife commence a series of stratagems to ensnare Mack. Will he hang, or will he be offered an escape? Propelled by Kurt Weill’s extraordinary score, including standards like “Pirate Jenny” and “The Ballad of Mack the Knife,” “The Threepenny Opera” is a landmark of 20th-century musical theatre.
The cast includes 17 Mercyhurst students: John Carroll (Filch/Messenger), Parth Chandna (Crookfinger Jake), Abby Craig (Polly Peachum), Shane Dexter (Readymoney Matt), Ali Forsythe (Jenny), Nicole French (Lucy Brown), Bridget Gedeon (Smith), Kat Kanazin (Molly), Bella Mitlo (Reverend Kimball/Betty), Tori St. John-Gilbert (Mrs. Peachum), Eric Page (Walt Dreary), Maya Post (Coaxer), Mason Reynolds (Tiger Brown), Braden Rosciszewski (Macheath), Mekenzie Rowland (Dolly), Ben Vacca (Mr. Peachum), and Zachary Yeager (Bob the Saw).
The creative team includes director Dr. Brett D. Johnson, musical director Andrew Rainbow, choreographer Jennifer McNamara, scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, sound engineer Ben Friesen, production stage manager Kate Bentley, and assistant stage manager Alex Krivoshein.