Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Date of Birth: February 10, 1898

Date of Death: August 14, 1956 (58)

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

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Bertolt Brecht 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.

Bertolt Brecht STAGE CREDITS

Bertolt Brecht Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
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Bertolt Brecht Awards and Nominations

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

Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Bertolt BrechtThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Bertolt Brecht Videos

Bertolt Brecht News

Theatro Sao Pedro presents Weill and Brecht's THE YES SAYER and THE FLIGHT ACROSS THE OCEAN

Opening on May 11th, the double program will be musically directed by Ira Levin, who heads the Orchestra do Thetro Sao Pedro and directed by Alexandre Dal Farra. The recital on May 12, Friday, will be broadcast for free on the YouTube channel of Theatro Sao Pedro.

El Teatro Del Bosque Julio Castillo, Recinto Representativo En El ámbito Escénico Nacional E Internacional

La Secretaría de Cultura federal y el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (Inbal), a través de la Coordinación Nacional de Teatro, celebra este 3 de mayo el 66 aniversario del Teatro del Bosque Julio Castillo. Sin duda, este recinto es uno de los espacios que ha consagrado el patrimonio teatral mexicano, a través de personajes, historias y propuestas que han retratado por más de seis décadas el quehacer de la comunidad artística en nuestro país. 

ETERNAL LIFE PART 1 At The Wilma Theater Now Streaming

Digital theater pioneer the Wilma Theater is offering a streaming version of its onstage production ETERNAL LIFE PART 1, which was written by Nathan Alan Davis and directed by Morgan Green, who directed the world premiere digital production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning FAT HAM. The production will be available to view on demand from May 1-14.

Review: THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN, Lyric Hammersmith

For an eighty-year-old play about the perils of capitalism and human-nature born kicking and screaming amongst the political turmoil of Weimar Germany, it neither looks nor feels like it has aged a day.

FAT HAM and More Set For the Wilma Theater's 2023-24 Season

The Wilma Theater has announced its 2023-24 season, kicking off in November with Fat Ham. Learn more about the full season here!

Roman Theatre Open Air Festival Set to Kick off in June

OVO will present The Roman Theatre Open Air Festival at the historic Roman Theatre in St Albans beginning in June.

Arcola Theatre's Grimeborn Opera Festival to Return for 16th Year This Summer

Arcola Theatre has announced the full programme of productions in the 2023 Grimeborn Opera Festival, which is returning for its 16th year.

Review: URINETOWN at Workhouse Arts Center

What did our critic think of URINETOWN AT WORKHOUSE ARTS CENTER at Workhouse Arts Center? There is something I learned about Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman's 2001 hit satire URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL after seeing the production this weekend at Workhouse Arts Center. I've seen it several times over the years in various settings, but I finally realized that URINETOWN is a deceivingly difficult piece to produce.

Pascal Theatre Company Announces Revival Tour Of Julia Pascal's A MANCHESTER GIRLHOOD

​​​​​​​Pascal Theatre Company has announced the revival of Julia Pascal's play A Manchester Girlhood, based on the lives of three Manchester Jewish women and their Romanian immigrant parents. The show opens at Blackpool Old Electric Theatre on 20 April, Manchester Jewish Museum on 23 April, followed by London dates at Burgh House on 17 May and a run at JW3 from 21 – 23 May 2023. 

PUBLIC OBSCENITIES Extends for a Second and Final Time at Soho Rep

Soho Rep and the NAATCO National Partnership Project have announced a one-week final extension of the world premiere production of Public Obscenities. See how to purchase tickets!

Review: THE THREEPENNY OPERA At Theo Ubique Cabaret A Must-See for the Musical Theatre Enthusiast

What did our critic think of THE THREEPENNY OPERA at Theo Ubique Cabaret?

Dutch National Opera & Ballet Sets 2023/24 Season Featuring World Premieres & More

Dutch National Opera & Ballet will present a multifaceted 2023/2024 season. The new small theatre, Studio Boekman, opens its doors, the Dutch National Ballet's Junior Company celebrates its tenth anniversary and the Dutch National Opera Studio its fifth.

Photos: First Look At Sheffield Theatres' THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN

Sheffield Theatres today has releaed first look photos of their new production of The Good Person of  Szechwan, marking the 80th anniversary of Bertolt Brecht’s popular play.

World Premiere of PUBLIC OBSCENITIES Extends at Soho Rep

Soho Rep and the NAATCO National Partnership Project have announced a two-week extension of the world premiere production of Public Obscenities, a bilingual play performed in Bangla and English from writer-director Shayok Misha Chowdhury, co-commissioned and produced by the two organizations.

MOZART, WEILL, PURCEL and JANACEK Announced Among the Attractions of Theatro Sao Pedro's 2023 Season

Lyrical season will have 11 titles, including the premiere of O Machete, by Mehmari. Throughout 2023, will be presented of Il Seraglio, by Mozart, Cinderella, by Viardot, The Cunning Little Vixen, by Janácek, Dido and Eneas, by Purcell, among others. The program also includes ballet shows, symphonic and chamber music concerts.

English Touring Theatre Announces MACBETH & More for 2023

ETT (English Touring Theatre) has announced their new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and further programming for 2023.

REDCAT Presents The Wooster Group/Bertolt Brecht: THE MOTHER, February 8-12

From Feb. 8 to 12, 2023, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), CalArts' center for contemporary arts in downtown Los Angeles presents The Wooster Group with a new production of Bertolt Brecht's 1932 play, The Mother.

Rory Bremner Will Lead James Graham's QUIZ on UK Tour

Rory Bremner, Britain's top satirical impressionist and renowned comedian, stars as Chris Tarrant in James Graham's thrilling and provocative drama, Quiz. The production explores the real-life story of Charles Ingram, aka the Coughing Major, who conned the world's most popular TV quiz show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire out of £1,000,000. Or did he?

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team For Their Spring Production of THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced the cast and creative team for their upcoming production of The Threepenny Opera playing at Theo's Howard Street Theatre March 10 through April 30, 2023.

Guillermo Calderón's KISS to be Presented at The Wilma Theater This Month

The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia will present KISS, a daring play by Guillermo Calderón, on stage Jan. 31-Feb. 19, 2023.

Bertolt Brecht FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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).

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Happy End , Oustanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny Best Play (Tony Awards) for Mother Courage and Her Children and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Caucasian Chalk Circle .

Oustanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonnyand Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

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