Beggars! And brothels! And Bertolt Brecht! The Atlantic Theater Company has announced complete casting for its off-Broadway revival of The Threepenny Opera. Emmy winner Michael Park, Tony nominee Laura Osnes, Sally Murphy and Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham are among those who have joined the star-studded cast. Directed and choreographed by Martha Clarke, The Threepenny Opera will play a limited engagement at the Linda Gross Theater from March 12 through May 4. Opening night is set for April 7.
Adapted by Marc Blitzstein, The Threepenny Opera will feature Park as Macheath, Osnes as Polly Peachum, Murphy as Jenny and Abraham as Mr. Peachum. In addition, the cast of the musical comedy will include Lilli Cooper as Lucy Brown, Rick Holmes as Tiger Brown and Tony nominee Mary Beth Peil as Mrs. Peachum. The show's ensemble will feature John Kelly as Street Singer, Sophie Bortolussi, Jon David Casey, Timothy Doyle, Lindsey Dietz Marchant, Christina Spina and John Watkins.
Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's most popular collaboration, The Threepenny Opera is based on John Gay's The Beggar's Opera. The show centers on the scoundrel Macheath and his criminal exploits in 19th century London. In the tuner, Macheath, or Mack the Knife as he is known, marries the impressionable and innocent Polly Peachum, much to the displeasure of her father and mother. Throughout his marriage, and a series of arrests, he maintains a strong relationship with his mistress, Pirate Jenny.
The Threepenny Opera will feature scenic design by Robert Israel, costume design by Donna Zakowska, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind, sound design by Clive Goodwin and musical direction by Gary Fagin.
Roundabout Theater Company most recently mounted The Threepenny Opera, adapted by Wallace Shawn and directed by Scott Elliott, on Broadway in 2006. The cast included Alan Cumming as Macheath, Nellie McKay as Polly, Cyndi Lauper as Jenny, Jim Dale as Mr. Peachum and Ana Gasteyer as Mrs. Peachum. The production, which included drag performers, was nominated for the Best Musical Revival Tony Award.