The Threepenny Opera, on stage at 7 Stages now through September 25 (extended through Sunday, October 2!), has been inspired by German Expressionist cinema of the 1920s, as well as contemporary struggles for social and economic equality. This show is beyond magnificent! Especially if you watch it for what it is and not for something you "expect".
The star of the show is, without question, Aaron Strand who portrays Macheath. He's the lead, which isn't always my personal favorite, but in this case he totally is. His expertise as an actor is incredibly strong and present and his voice reverberates throughout the theatre beautifully and profoundly...the two coupled—his acting and his voice—are the theatrical gems theatre-goers are fearlessly seeking.
Stephanie Lloyd, who plays Polly Peachum, is delightfully brilliant. She's a wonderful actress, and wholly convincing that she's experiencing the vast array of emotions her character is going through. Her voice is distinctively pleasing and her character's expressions are the best!
I went in knowing little about the show, but expecting the typical brilliance that 7 Stages presents. They do not disappoint with this show. It's edgy, it's thought-provoking, it's gorgeous and sexy. This show makes you—or at least made me—ponder just how similar life in 1920s German Expressionist cinema is similar to life in so many cultures today.
There's love, there are in-laws, there's strife, there's social economic disparity and there's doing what it takes to survive. We often credit our parents for doing the "best that they could", but we don't give fellow citizens that same disclaimer...which sometimes leads to desperation. Sometimes, of course, it leads to people doing the same dumb stuff that they didn't learn from the last time they did it.
The Threepenny Opera was written by playwright Bertolt Brecht (born in 1898), whose image has graced the side of the 7 Stages Theatre building for more than a decade! I've seen that face for many, many years and never thought to think who it was. When I saw this play, that mural came alive.
Some other personal favorites in the show are Suzi Bass Award nominee Don Finney (Mrs. Peachum, pictured above), who is absolutely brilliant! She...he, has a wonderful voice, and his acting steals the stage during multiple scenes. I love this bit of casting.
Another favorite is Adam Lowe (Tiger Brown/Filch)...I very much enjoyed this character! He's the (serious) comedic relief as the Chief of Police (and old Army comrade of Macheath's), as well as the role of a rather hilarious peddler (Filch). I didn't realize it, but I met Adam during a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Little Five Points...he was amazing! Don't judge, please...it was Cinco de Mayo!
Having seen the advertisements for this show, I would not have been at all surprised if it had been presented in a dramatic, over-acted silent film format...it was totally dramatic! In a wonderful way.
This show is a musical.
Among the songs performed are songs of revolution like 'How to Survive' along with classic numbers (contemporary to some of us) like 'Mack the Knife' and 'Pirate Jenny'.
This play is billed as a "raw musical about power, sex, and the evil things one must do to stay alive in a corrupt world." And it delivers on every single word. I loved it and if you're the least bit edgy, curious, culturally open, I think you'll enjoy it too.
I think what I most enjoyed about this play, in addition to Aaron Strand's voice and performance, was the portray of today's challenges in a setting of generations ago...making one wonder what, if anything, has changed...and what it will take to affect change.
Above is a video trailer for "The Threepenny Opera", now playing at 7 Stages Theatre.
The Threepenny Opera is on stage at 7 Stages through Sunday, September 25 (extended through Sunday, October 2!). If you have any sense of adventure, be sure you see this show...it's truly...so many things!
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
The star of the show is, without question, Aaron Strand who portrays Macheath. He's the lead, which isn't always my personal favorite, but in this case he totally is. His expertise as an actor is incredibly strong and present and his voice reverberates throughout the theatre beautifully and profoundly...the two coupled—his acting and his voice—are the theatrical gems theatre-goers are fearlessly seeking.
Stephanie Lloyd, who plays Polly Peachum, is delightfully brilliant. She's a wonderful actress, and wholly convincing that she's experiencing the vast array of emotions her character is going through. Her voice is distinctively pleasing and her character's expressions are the best!
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
I went in knowing little about the show, but expecting the typical brilliance that 7 Stages presents. They do not disappoint with this show. It's edgy, it's thought-provoking, it's gorgeous and sexy. This show makes you—or at least made me—ponder just how similar life in 1920s German Expressionist cinema is similar to life in so many cultures today.
There's love, there are in-laws, there's strife, there's social economic disparity and there's doing what it takes to survive. We often credit our parents for doing the "best that they could", but we don't give fellow citizens that same disclaimer...which sometimes leads to desperation. Sometimes, of course, it leads to people doing the same dumb stuff that they didn't learn from the last time they did it.
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
The Threepenny Opera was written by playwright Bertolt Brecht (born in 1898), whose image has graced the side of the 7 Stages Theatre building for more than a decade! I've seen that face for many, many years and never thought to think who it was. When I saw this play, that mural came alive.
Some other personal favorites in the show are Suzi Bass Award nominee Don Finney (Mrs. Peachum, pictured above), who is absolutely brilliant! She...he, has a wonderful voice, and his acting steals the stage during multiple scenes. I love this bit of casting.
Another favorite is Adam Lowe (Tiger Brown/Filch)...I very much enjoyed this character! He's the (serious) comedic relief as the Chief of Police (and old Army comrade of Macheath's), as well as the role of a rather hilarious peddler (Filch). I didn't realize it, but I met Adam during a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Little Five Points...he was amazing! Don't judge, please...it was Cinco de Mayo!
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
Having seen the advertisements for this show, I would not have been at all surprised if it had been presented in a dramatic, over-acted silent film format...it was totally dramatic! In a wonderful way.
This show is a musical.
Among the songs performed are songs of revolution like 'How to Survive' along with classic numbers (contemporary to some of us) like 'Mack the Knife' and 'Pirate Jenny'.
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
This play is billed as a "raw musical about power, sex, and the evil things one must do to stay alive in a corrupt world." And it delivers on every single word. I loved it and if you're the least bit edgy, curious, culturally open, I think you'll enjoy it too.
I think what I most enjoyed about this play, in addition to Aaron Strand's voice and performance, was the portray of today's challenges in a setting of generations ago...making one wonder what, if anything, has changed...and what it will take to affect change.
Above is a video trailer for "The Threepenny Opera", now playing at 7 Stages Theatre.
 |
| The Threepenny Opera | 7 Stages | Photo: StunGun Photography |
The Threepenny Opera is on stage at 7 Stages through Sunday, September 25 (extended through Sunday, October 2!). If you have any sense of adventure, be sure you see this show...it's truly...so many things!
