Threepenny Opera

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 2:43pm

Looks like Roundabout is testing the waters for a revival. Unfortunately if what they've done in the past is any indicator, it will be a very bland revival. This show needs a bold, edgy revival.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89894.html

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 2:50pm

Let's hope they bring Sting back!

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:12pm

ROLF at "Three STING Penny Opera," as the marquee read for that revival.

I love the show, and I hope they get someone good to direct it (which, in my opinion, would not include David Leveaux OR Scott Ellis).

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:18pm

I love this show too. Wonder what year they'll set it in, or around whose coronation? Victoria's? Edward's? Prince William's? It's all been done well before.

My favorite CD is from the 1994 Donmar Warhouse production. I also own the 1931 German film, which is hilarious and has generally aged well in all other respects...

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:42pm

Evelyn, is the Donmar CD still in print? I'd like to check it out, based on your recommendation...

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:50pm

Yep, it sells for $14.99 on Amazon and is set in the future. The orchestrations are second to none.

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:50pm

i hate this show! but it's a personal thing. i was in a very poorly directed production of it. (well, the fact that i kept singing "mack the knife" in the wrong key didn't help either ...)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:55pm

Evelyn, I've seen the '31 film as well. It is hilarious.

There may be some hope if they could get Sam Mendes to direct. A few other directors come to mind could do it justice. But the Roundabout is going to have to cast a wide net to find the right actors.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:59pm

I've never seen this show, but I read the play, which I loved. I hope they can stage a good revival. Sam Mendes definitely sounds like a good choice to me for director.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:14pm

Thanks Evelyn! I just ordered it.

And I'm in total agreement that Mendes would probably be a terrific director for this revival. I hope it happens.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:16pm

They'll get either Antonio Banderas or Raul Esparza to play Macheath. You heard it here first.

Updated On: 12/2/04 at 11:16 PM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:18pm

Esparza would be a TERRIFIC Macheath, IMO. Probably not the name they want floating above the marquee, but I'd love to see it, personally.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:22pm

I think MacHeath should sexually draw the audience in, yet at the same time make the audience feel like he's going to come out and slit their throat. I don't think either one of them is disturbing enough to slit someone's throat. The part needs a sexier Christopher Walken type.

Updated On: 12/2/04 at 11:22 PM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:26pm

Interesting observation.

I feel that Esparza has "all that," but it might be a personal proclivity, and not something that an audience in general will agree with.

But since you bring up Walken, now there's an idea. He not only has the box office, he's a proven musical theatre talent.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:30pm

If they do it right, this show has the potential to be very psychologically disturbing. Think "Silence of the Lambs" disturbing only it's happening live. Heck, they should just let me direct it. I'll have Brantley peeing his pants.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:36pm

Interesting, gothampc, and I agree.

THREEPENNY OPERA is nothing if not overtly political. The source material, John Gay's THE BEGGAR'S OPERA, was a political diatribe, cloaked in the style of restoration comedy. Weill's version was a lashing out at the consequences of the Weimar Republic in Germany. Given our current political climate, could there be a better time for a revival of this most political of musicals? Updated On: 12/2/04 at 11:36 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 11:49pm

Have any of you seen the movie version "Mack The Knife"? Not the greatest version, but Julie Walters plays Mrs. Peachum. I'd love to see her revive that role on stage.