A story of crime, love and corruption is coming to the Experimental Theatre on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus for seven performances this November.
Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera,” centers around the criminal Mack the Knife’s provoking of Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum — who controls all of London’s beggars — by marrying his daughter Polly.
Polly Peachum, played by UNM theatre major Cheyenne Bilbrey, is excited by danger, Bilbrey said. After being raised by one of the most powerful men in London, she is ready to break away, Bilbrey said.
“Polly is definitely an extreme version of what I think women want,” Bilbrey said. “But she’s been sheltered all her life, and she just really wants freedom and independence.”
Bilbrey has been in several UNM productions but said this one stands apart from the rest.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about a production, and that’s big for me. Theater is always an incredible experience,” Bilbrey said.
The production’s director, Kate Clarke, said, “The Threepenny Opera” has always been a personal favorite of hers — she particularly enjoys the music.
“I am very proud and excited about our production. The cast, crew and designers have all been outstanding collaborators,” Clarke said.
Clarke spoke about the intertwined dynamics of this story, based in 18th century London, and the sociopolitical climate of today’s world.
“I was struck by the many thematic parallels in the show to our times today, so I thought this would be a particularly good time to have this show on stage,” Clarke said.
Bilbrey spoke to her enthusiasm for this particular production, for the twists on the traditional racist and sexist undertones of the characters.
“The way Kate Clarke has directed it, she has really flipped it so that our blocking and acting choices reflect that those characters are not okay, which I think is very important with the show,” Bilbrey said.
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Due to limited seating in the Experimental Theatre, Clarke said she hopes people will come early and get the word out.
The show will run on Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $10 for students, and are available at UNM ticket offices or online at www.unmtickets.com.
Alison Luttrell is a culture reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Luttrell_Ali.
