Review: A Rare Performance of FROM BERLIN TO BROADWAY WITH KURT WEILL Opens at the White Theatre

From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill made its journey to the Kansas City theater scene with the opening Saturday night February 14 at the White Theatre located at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. The White Theatre celebrates two first on their stage with Paul Hough directing the debut of From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill and the first time the musical appeared at the theater. Hough directed the play in Los Angeles in 1985, winning the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Production and Direction. Hough was Director of Production for the American Heartland Theatre from 1996 until it closed its doors in 2013.

"I've wanted to share this show with Kansas City audiences for years but it didn't fit the programing at The American Heartland," said Hough. "I'm very pleased to find a home for it and it is especially appropriate for the Jewish Community Center because of the Weill/Lenya journey."

Kurt Weill wrote the music for From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill with text and format by Gene Lerner. Many of the world's greatest lyricist wrote the lyrics: Maxwell Andersen, Marc Blitzstein, Michael Feingold, Bertolt Brecht, Ira Gershwin, Alan Jay Lerner, Ogden Nash, Jacques Deval, Paul Green, and Langston Hughes.

From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill is the story of Kurt Weill, a celebrated German composer, who escapes Germany just before World War II, becoming a target of the Nazi authorities. His later works, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and Die Burgschaft in 1932 drew interference from the Nazi state. Weill traveled to Paris and later to the United States. One of his best-known pieces is The Threepenny Opera, which includes the ballad "Mack the Knife." The Threepenny Opera opened on Broadway in 1933, but closed after only 13 performances.

For the production of From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill, the White Theatre utilizes only the stage for the performance and audience seating. The smaller intimate seating draws the audience closer to the artful revue. The audience is treated to such Weill hits as "September Song," "Speak Low," and "How Can You Tell An American?"

Paul Secor Morel plays the Narrator and with a very short exception, is the only character with spoken lines. He has a powerful voice for the narration and to the delight of the audience a wonderful singing voice. He previously appeared at the White Theatre in Les Miserables and has appeared at The Barn Players and Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City.

One of the true highlights of the show comes in the first act with the company performing the classic ballad, "Mack the Knife." Robert J. Hingula is the Baritone of the company and performs a sensational solo, equal to any performance of the song I have seen. Hingula previously appeared at the White Theatre in Les Miserables and The Who's Tommy. He has performed at several Kansas City theaters in roles in Chess, Next to Normal, and Sweeney Todd among others.

Samantha Agron stars as Mezzo who besides the narrator is the only member of the troupe with a spoken part. During her fabulous vocal of "Surabaya Johnny," she gets an opportunity to show her dramatic flair and it was amazing. She previously appeared in Spamalot at the White Theatre. She has performed with The Barn Players, Musical Theater Heritage, and Olathe Civic Theatre Association among others.

Other members of the very talented cast include Betsy Jane Bledsoe as the Soprano, Simon Schupp as the Tenor, and Kyra Weinberger as the Contralto. Music Director Dr. Michalis Koutsoupides accompany the cast on piano.

From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill continues through March 1. This rare production is one musical fans should not miss. Purchase tickets by calling 913-327-8054 or visit the White Theatre website. Photo courtesy of the White Theatre.