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March 21-24, 2002
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CASTLETON -- The Castleton State College Theatre Arts Department presents Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's The Threepenny Opera, March 21-24, 2002. The musical, set during the coronation of Queen Victoria, is a look at the underbelly of London society: beggars, prostitutes, and the infamous Mac the Knife. The original production in Germany opened in 1928; the English version by Marc Blitzstein followed in 1954. Director and theatre professor Harry McEnerny said, "The play is like flipping over a rock. Brecht asks, 'What kind of society allows for people to be treated this way?'" The cast includes students Kevin Osborne of Bennington as Mac the Knife, Susan Baker of Rutland as Mrs. Peachum, Ben Baker of Rutland as Tiger Brown, and Jennifer Marrone of East Dorset as Polly Peachum. Writer and English professor Burnham Holmes of Poultney plays Mr. Peachum. "Students have some great acting roles," said McEnerny. "What makes this play fun is the relationships between these people, and how Mac the Knife can charm his way out of trouble." The production includes a pit orchestra consisting of eight students. "The music is a wonderful blend of classical and popular styles," said music director and professor Michael Worthy. Nathan Lee, who teaches technical aspects of theatre, designed the set and appears as the Street Singer. |