U. S. Premiere of The New National Theatre of London Revival To Perform October 27-30 At Charleston Heights Art Center
Vegas City Opera, Vegas’ premier contemporary opera company, presents the U. S. Premiere of Simon Stephen’s hot, new adaptation of The Threepenny Opera, created for the National Theatre of London at Charleston Heights Art Center October 27-30. Harkening back to the extraordinary, original orchestrations of Kurt Weill and the libretto by Weill and Bertolt Brecht, this vivid and darkly comedic revival with modern English translation brings contemporary layers to a story still playing out today.
London scrubs up for the King’s Coronation. The thieves are on the make, the whores on the pull, the police cutting deals to keep it all out of sight. Mr. and Mrs. Peachum are looking forward to a bumper day in the beggary business, but their daughter Polly didn’t come home last night … Mack the Knife is back in town.
“
Maestro Tim Warren, Musical Director, and Sarah O’Connell, Stage Director, tear into this production with a passion for Weill and his musical legacy. The lead role of MacHeath will be portrayed by the break-out actor of Broadway, opera, and television Keith Milkie bringing provocative tension to the powerful role. Read his 10 Bites interview clicking here.
With special permission from the Weill Foundation, Dina Emerson plays the Narrator (singing Mac the Knife). With her years as a Cirque performer and a true Weillphile, Dina will bring something uniquely Vegas to the role. Watch the video here.
“This is a story of the haves and the have-nots working the system to their advantage. A tale as old as time but still relevant today,” stated Executive Director and General Manager Ginger Land-van Buuren. “The complex relationships and themes in The Threepenny Opera are present in modern day. Through the voice of playwright Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), we have a true modern script for this groundbreaking work. VCO’s mission is to elevate opera in our community while presenting stories that are relevant today and will impact the outlook of our lives. VCO is honored to have been chosen to present the U.S. Premiere, and it should be Vegas who does it first! We have an incredible contemporary art scene here and a unique perspective from other cities—as is our motto at Vegas City Opera—Real Opera. Real Vegas.”
Vegas City Opera is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the residents and visitors of the Las Vegas area and Southern Nevada. VCO envisions an interdisciplinary hub of creativity, learning, and professional development for local artists. VCO hopes to provide a nurturing environment in which performers can take chances and flourish in their craft, all the while sharing the excitement and vibrancy of contemporary opera with audiences of the Las Vegas Valley, tirelessly working toward a future where our communities embrace and seek out the opera arts.
The production is made possible by a grant from the Kurt Weill Foundation, Nevada Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Vegas City Children’s Chorus will appear with the continued support of Jeri Crawford. The City of Las Vegas Arts & Culture Department is a proud presenting partner for all Vegas City Opera productions and a vital arts collaborator.
THE THREEPENNY OPERA
WHERE: Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 Brush St.
WHEN: October 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and October 30 at 3 p.m.
TICKETS: $40, $30, $20
For more info, visit vegascityopera.org.