tracker
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows (beta) Register/Login Games Grosses
Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

Get Bertolt Brecht Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright, director, and poet who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century theatre. Born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany, Brecht was the son of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. He studied medicine at the University of Munich but soon turned his attention to writing and theatre.


Brecht's first major success as a playwright came with his play "Drums in the Night," which premiered in 1922. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Brecht as a major figure in German theatre. He went on to write several other plays, including "In the Jungle of Cities" (1923), "The Threepenny Opera" (1928), and "The Mother" (1932).
Brecht's plays were known for their political and social commentary, and he often used his work to critique capitalism and the rise of fascism in Germany. He was a committed Marxist and believed that theatre should be used as a tool for social change. His plays were also known for their use of "alienation" techniques, which were designed to distance the audience from the action on stage and encourage them to think critically about what they were seeing.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Brecht was also a prolific director and producer. He founded the Berliner Ensemble in 1949, which became one of the most important theatre companies in Europe. He also worked extensively in film, writing and directing several movies, including "Kuhle Wampe" (1932) and "The Threepenny Opera" (1931).
Brecht's influence on theatre and performance is still felt today. His ideas about theatre as a tool for social change and his use of alienation techniques have been adopted by many contemporary theatre practitioners. His plays continue to be performed around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of playwrights and directors from Samuel Beckett to Tony Kushner.
Brecht died on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin, Germany. His most recent work was the play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," which was first performed in 1948.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Playwright

Writing

Playwright
Lyricist
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Songs
Source Material
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Lyricist
Playwright
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Playwright
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter/Lyricist

Movies

The Threepenny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
The 3 Penny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
Ubiytsy vykhodyat na dorogu
[ 1942 ] writer
Frauenschicksale
[ 1952 ] lyricist
Katzgraben
[ 1957 ] writer
Mother
[ 1958 ] writer
Mother Courage and Her Children
[ 1961 ] writer
Der Tod des Flohzirkusdirektors
[ 1973 ] writer
Galileo
[ 1975 ] writer
The Life Story of Baal
[ 1978 ] writer
Mahagonny
[ 1980 ] writer
Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht 1948 (Suhrkamp Verlag)
[ 1992 ] writer
The Career of Arturo Ui: New Version
[ 1996 ] writer
L'étude du chercheur ambulant
[ 2009 ] writer
Im Dickicht Der Städte
[ 2013 ] writer
Santa Joana dos Matadouros
[ 2014 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Bertolt Brecht, Happy End


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Oustanding Lyrics

Bertolt Brecht, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Bertolt BrechtThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Videos

News


Mary Testa To Join George Abud's 3PENNY OPERA Starring Katrina Lenk and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 3, 2025

Off-Brand Opera has revealed the complete casting for George Abud's new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera, with the score adaptation by Jake Landau.
Review: Adrienne Haan Jaunts Through History in TEHORAH at The Actor's Temple
by Lydia Rose - Nov 29, 2025

In TEHORAH (Hebrew for “pure”), Adrienne Haan commemorates the end of the Holocaust with a show spanning four continents of Jewish music, language and culture.
SoHo Playhouse Unveils Lineup for 2026 International Fringe Encore Series Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 24, 2025

SoHo Playhouse has revealed the lineup for the 2026 International Fringe Encore Series, running Off-Broadway. Shows include the U.S. premiere of Diana, direct from the Edinburgh Fringe, plus more.
How Common Are Foreign Language Plays on Broadway? A Look at Translation Trends
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 23, 2025

While the large majority of plays that make it to Broadway were written in English, a small fraction of plays were originally penned in a different language and translated. 
Interview: Wesley Whitson of ANGELS IN AMERICA at Rec Room Arts
by Brett Cullum - Nov 19, 2025

It's one of those dream shows, you know? From the second that I first encountered it, I saw myself in it, and it became an aspiration to be in that show, to tell that story. It's always had this pull to it.
Review: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES at REC ROOM ARTS
by Brett Cullum - Nov 11, 2025

Rec Room Arts has delivered at least the first half of a miracle. This is something that feels less like a revival and more like a call to arms, and Kushner’s words echo louder and more forcefully than ever. 
Solo en el CETC: Lucas Urdampilleta Comes to Teatro Colon
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025

Primera edición de este ciclo que propone que artistas destacados de distintas disciplinas presenten una performance en solitario.
The National Theatre of Scotland Reveals 2026 Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

The National Theatre of Scotland has announced its upcoming season for 2026, including three world premieres, five tours across Scotland, gig theatre, and much more.
Katrina Lenk, Barbara Walsh and George Abud To Star In 3PENNY Opera
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 31, 2025

Off-Brand Opera will present George Abud's new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera, with the score adaptation by Jake Landau, starring Katrina Lenk, George Abud and more.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL and More Set for Trinity Rep November Events
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 30, 2025

Trinity Repertory Company has revealed multiple events for the month of November, including two community engagement events, the beginning of its run of A Christmas Carol, and more.
Wine Bar TANIKŌ Visits London For One Night Only
by Gillian Blum - Oct 27, 2025

On Monday, November 17 Tanikō, a new play by konstantinos avramis, will be performed at Theatro Technis in London for one night only as part of Voila! Festival. The performance is at 7 p.m.
Historian Amnon Kabatchnik's BLOODY BROADWAY Released
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2025

Amnon Kabatchnik has penned a new in his award-winning reference series. Kabatchnik's latest, Bloody Broadway: Plays of Menace, Murder, and Mystery, Volume I (BearManor Media) is now available.
Cast Set for URINETOWN at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2025

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre has revealed the company of 'Urinetown.' Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre becomes a world of water shortages, catchy tunes, sharp wit, and a fight for free toilet usage. Learn more!
CSArts-SGV Musical Theatre Students to Present THE THREEPENNY OPERA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) students in the Musical Theatre Conservatory will present their rendition of Bertolt Brecht's 'The Threepenny Opera.'
Interview: James Mirrione of THE GRIPPE at Main Street Theater
by Armando Urdiales - Sep 23, 2025

James Mirrione, the bookwriter behind The Grippe, invites audiences to revisit a pivotal moment in history through the lens of theatre. Inspired by the overlooked story of the 1918 Spanish Flu and its striking parallels to contemporary society, Mirrione combines rigorous historical research, personal family history, and music of the era to craft a play that is both enlightening and emotionally resonant.
Christopher Plummer In the Spotlight: From Broadway to THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Beyond
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 17, 2025

To celebrate the return of The Sound of Music in theaters, we are taking a look back at Christopher Plummer's expansive stage career, from Cyrano to King Lear, and more.
Interview: Adrienne Haan Sings KURT WEILL at The York Theatre
by Rebecca Kaplan - Sep 13, 2025

For one night only on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30 pm, international cabaret star Adrienne Haan will perform Adrienne Haan Sings Kurt Weill at the York Theatre Company. We spoke with Haan about the show.
THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN Comes to the Cameri Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2025

Three gods descend from the heavens in search of something truly rare: one good person. In the city of Szechwan, they find Shen Teh, a poor prostitute with a heart of gold, who agrees to take them into her humble home.
TOPSY TURVY, ARREST THE CLOWNS Included in 2025-2026 Season at The Actors' Gang
by Emmy Rice - Sep 6, 2025

The Actors’ Gang is announcing its full 2025/2026 which features seven original plays, two twentieth century theatrical classics, and Late Night Fridays that will present improvised commedia dell’ arte, live music and film screenings.
LA Phil Appoints Esa-Pekka Salonen to New Position of Creative Director
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

LA Phil has announced the expansion of its artistic leadership team with the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen to the newly established position of the Judith & Thomas L. Beckmen Creative Director.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Bertolt Brecht written?

Bertolt Brecht has written 36 shows including Die Sieben Todsünden (Lyricist), Mother (Playwright), Galileo (Playwright), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Lyricist), Man is Man (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Bookwriter), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Source Material), Baal (Playwright), The Exception and the Rule/ The Prodigal Son (Playwright), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Drums in the Night (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Libretto), The Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny (Bookwriter), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Lyricist), The Measures Taken (Playwright), Downfall of the Egotist Johann Fatzer (Playwright), Happy End (Bookwriter/Lyricist), A Kurt Weill Cabaret (Lyricist), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), The Antigone of Sophokles (Playwright), An Evening with Ekkehard Schall (Material), The Threepenny Opera (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), In the Jungle of Cities (Playwright), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Mother Courage (Playwright), LoveMusik (Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Good Person of Szechwan (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Playwright).

What awards has Bertolt Brecht been nominated for?

Bertolt Brecht has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Happy End," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Mother Courage and Her Children," and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle."

What awards has Bertolt Brecht won?

Bertolt Brecht has won several awards throughout his career. Some notable awards include Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle". These accolades recognize Brecht's exceptional talent and contribution to the world of theater.

Get Bertolt Brecht Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos