The Threepenny Opera Revival

xBroadway’s current theater capacity rules have not always been how they are now. The distinctions between Broadway, off-Broadway, and other types of venues have changed over the decades as the industry has evolved. 

Nearly 50 years after its debut, Chico Buarque’s landmark musical returns in a vibrant new staging. Directed by Jorge Farjalla, Ópera do Malandro dives into Rio de Janeiro’s bohemian underworld to expose corruption, desire and hypocrisy with sharp humor and unforgettable songs. Inspired by Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera and infused with elements of Afro-Brazilian spirituality, the production blends satire, ritual and popular culture in an immersive, festive experience. Featuring a large, star-studded cast the show reaffirms the enduring power—and provocation—of one of Brazilian musical theatre’s most iconic works.

It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

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. 

The Coronet Theatre and Berliner Ensemble will present the UK Premiere of STRANGER THAN THE MOON, featuring text by Bertolt Brecht with music by Hanns Eisler and others.

ANASTASIA al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI DEBUTTO A DICEMBRE 2024 A MILANO PER LA VERSIONE ITALIANA DEL GRANDE SUCCESSO DI BROADWAY

AMERICAN ROT – a new play by Kate Taney Billingsley, directed by Estelle Parsons – will be given its world-premiere production at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre. Find out who is starring in the production here!

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.

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

Produced for the first time in Brazil, has the musical direction by American conductor Ira Levin, who leads the Orquestra do Theatro São Pedro, and scenic direction by Alexandre Dal Farra. Opening on September 1st, there will be seven recitals until September 11th.

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, ETT and Sheffield Theatres today announce a new co-production of Bertolt Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan, written by Nina Segal (In the Night Time [Before The Sun Rises], directed by Sheffield Theatres RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau (Anna Karenina), and commissioned by ETT due to open in Spring 2023.

One of New York City's most innovative opera companies, City Lyric Opera (CLO), begins its fifth season with a never before seen live experience of power, technology, and storytelling. From October 29-November 15, 2020, CLO presents Weill and Brecht's musical comedy The Threepenny Opera in a virtual, fully produced show.

Getting on the phone with Albert Poland totally swept me away and into the world we love for a glorious 45 minutes...

Theater suffered a huge loss this week when the playwright Terrence McNally died at 81, of complications of our current plague, the coronavirus. It was a sad irony since many of McNally's plays dealt with the effects of a previous plague, AIDS, in the 1980s.

The Wilbury Theatre Group opens its 2019/20 Main Series season with Samuel Beckett's existential masterpiece Waiting for Godot, which runs in performances September 26 - October 20.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2019 summer season with The Good Person of Szechwan by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Wendy Arons and adapted by Tony Kushner, playing July 3 through July 21, 2019 at the Bruns Amphitheater. A Pay What You Can performance will be held on Wednesday, July 3. Tickets will be available starting at 10am on the day of the show through TodayTix and the Cal Shakes Box Office at 510.548.9666.

Street Theatre Company, in its twelfth year in Nashville, announces three upcoming events to ring in the new year and stay cozy with friends this winter. The first, a soiree announcing the 2018 season, Street Theatre Company's Glitz Gala will feature live cabaret style performances by some of Nashville's best musical theatre artists.

Haven Theatre has announced casting for Bertolt Brecht's unsettling and unflinching drama FEAR AND MISERY OF THE THIRD REICH, translated by Eric Bentley and directed by Artistic Director Josh Sobel.

Haven Theatre is pleased to announce the final production slated for its 2017-18 Season, Bertolt Brecht's unsettling and unflinching drama FEAR AND MISERY OF THE THIRD REICH, translated by Eric Bentley and directed by Artistic Director Josh Sobel, playing February 8 March 11, 2018. Casting will be announced at a later date.

BAFTA winner Joe Wright's production of Brecht's masterwork Life of Galileo will be accompanied by an original score composed by Tom Rowlands, founding member of the English electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers. Joe and Tom first collaborated on the 2011 feature film, Hanna. 

Written in 1941, Bertolt Brecht's compelling parable The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui is a savage satire of social and political corruption.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced casting for the smash hit musical Million Dollar Quartet with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, original concept by Mr. Mutrux, inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

Undermain Theatre Presents GALILEO, Bertolt Brecht's masterpiece, which he translated in English in collaboration with Charles Laughton.  GALILEO will be produced at Undermain's home in Deep Ellum - 3200 Main St. with company member Bruce DuBose in the title role.  DuBose is a recipient of Best Actor awards from the Dallas Critics Forum, D Magazine and the Dallas Observer.  Directed by Undermain's Artistic Director, Katherine Owens, opening night will be Today, February 11th with a curtain time of 7:30 pm.  Preview performances will be on February 8th, 9th, and 10th at 7:30 pm. All preview performances are only $15. All evening show times are 7:30 pm with two Sunday matinee performances at 2:00 pm on February 19th and March 5th.  The production will run through March 5th.

Trap Door Theatre will present The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, written by Bertolt Brecht and translated by George Tabori and Alistair Beaton. Directed by Victor Quezada-Perez, the production will run March 16 - April 22, 2017.

New Repertory Theatre presents Brecht on Brecht, February 4-March 5, 2017 in the Black Box Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.