The Threepenny Opera

Book & Lyrics by Bertolt Brecht
Music by Kurt Weill

Clarence Brown Theatre, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2015

Director: Calvin MacLean
Musical Director: Michael Elliott
Choreographer: Christie Zimmerman
Scenic Designer: Josafath Reynoso
Costume Designer: Poua Yang
Lighting Designer: Kristen Geisler
Sound and Projection Designer: Joe Payne

“With a haunting jazz score and biting lyrics, the “haves” clash with the “have-nots” in Brecht’s sharp critique of Capitalism. This brilliant masterpiece of epic theater originated the popular songs The Ballad of Mack the Knife, Soloman Song and Pirate Jenny.”

Quite the spectacle for a “Beggar’s Opera”, this production was decidedly visually striking and sonically bold, and influenced heavily by the hit series Boardwalk Empire and Amanda Palmer’s cabaret-punk version of Pirate Jenny.  The Projections included political commentary, along with scenic and emotional imagery, and of course Brecht’s prescribed scene/song titles.

Projection Design Examples:

Audio clips of the live mix are not included due to Actor’s Equity restrictions, and live recordings do not accurately represent the theatre space.

Please check with producing organizations if interested in quality of the mix, which I proudly stand behind.
Band Plot, Sound Plan

_{Photos by Brynn Yeager and Josafath Reynoso}