Muhlenberg Colleges "The Threepenny Opera" is a fascinating take on Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brechts famous play with music. The production is at the colleges Empie Theatre at the Baker Center for the Arts in Allentown through Nov. 6.
Brechts scathing indictment of capitalism is reinforced in this production which is intriguingly set in an industrial Amazon-style warehouse. PVC warehouse curtains serve as the theater curtain, while characters punch time clocks and cash register sound effects punctuate scenes. It all serves to emphasize how people are seen as commodities, a main theme of the show. Characters even enter and leave the stage through giant crates and the shows humorous deus ex machina ending is revealed by the breaking open of a large crate.
The talented cast sings the haunting ballads with power and style, while crisply delivering the gritty language of the script and giving sharply defined performances.
The lyrical songs like "Pirate Jenny" and "Ballad of Living in Style" all are well-sung and enjoyable.
The story takes place on the eve of the coronation of Queen Victoria, as the beggars and thieves of London prepare to take advantage of the incoming crowds.
Joe Grisanzio is mercurial as the top gangster and murderer Macheath. Grisanzio makes Macheath carefree and affable, while giving hints of the darkness beneath the self-satisfied exterior. His Macheath is always on the lookout for the next score and manipulation.
As Mr. Peachum who is running a protection racket for Londons beggar population, is played with smarmy cockiness by Jacob Forman. Like Macheath, Formans Mr. Peachum is always ready to take advantage of a situation for his own benefit.
Allison Mintz is strident and a force of nature as Mrs. Peachum, her husbands partner in crime.
As the Peachums daughter Polly, who runs off to marry Macheath, Madeline Burk is more defiant than naive. Burks Polly is a young woman who accepts responsibility even when she makes a mistake.
As the corrupt police chief Tiger Brown, Danny Milkis makes the character amusingly ineffectual and powerless as he grovels for forgiveness from Macheath.
Elaina Ragusa is bold and gutsy as Lucy Brown, another woman being strung along by Macheath. Her and Pollys bonding (after the devastating "Jealousy Duet") over their shared victimization is gratifying.
Nicole Gardner is mournful and bitter but dignified as Jenny Diver, one of the prostitutes at the brothel Macheath frequents, and who betrays him.
Particularly satisfying is the group of working girls at the brothel who sing "Ballad of Mack the Knife" the best known song from the show.
Director James Peck takes this somewhat unwieldy show (three hours with two 10 minute intermissions) and keeps it under control with projected scene explanations and super-titles.
Muhlenberg has a nine-piece orchestra playing instruments ranging from celeste to piccolo to do full justice to the challenging jazzy score.
Set designer You-Shin Chen has paid attention to every detail to realize the set as an Amazon warehouse in a distribution center, and the design dominates the stage.
Rebecca Lustigs costumes are bold and bright and evoke a modern punk feel while not seeming out of time.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students. The production has references to violence, including sexual assault and is recommended for ages 17 and up.
Performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 28, 29, Nov. 3, 4 and 5; and 2 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.
For information, call 484-664-3333, or go to muhlenberg.edu/seeashow.