What do Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin and the New Surry Theatre have in common?

Answer—they all sing “Mack The Knife.”

It’s Fair Day in London, the setting for a scandalous and musical tale of thieves, beggars, and various other low-lifes.  Chief among them, the notorious highwayman, MacHeath—more widely known as Mack the Knife, from the song that details some of his exploits.

Based on John Gay’s novel “The Beggar’s Opera”, this landmark musical features lyrics by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill.  A scathing and comical critique of the excesses of capitalism, it premiered in Germany on the eve of the Great Depression.  The Threepenny Opera has been widely and frequently produced over the last eighty years, having been translated into 18 languages.  It ran for 2707 performances off-Broadway during the 1950’s—an amazing record—and at various times in the run featured Ed Asner, Bea Arthur and Jerry Stiller as part of the cast.  This is the first time it will be performed in Maine in the 21st century and NST Artistic Director Bill Raiten expects this production to resonate with today’s audience.

Raiten sees The Threepenny Opera as another significant step in the exciting creative evolution of NST, whose 2009 season included two original plays.  In this production, Raiten says the cast will be in character and on-stage from the moment the audience enters the theater. Adding a new twist to the NST theater experience is the fabulous new raised seating and stage lighting in the Blue Hill Town Hall Theatre, thanks to a grant from the Quimby Family Foundation. Rugs, railings and raised seating makes Bertolt Brecht’s Epic Theater come alive to chill and excite the audience.

Director Shari John is joined by Raiten (who staged the musical numbers) and Abigail Greene, the Musical Director.  The cast features many NST veterans including Christopher Candage as MacHeath, Annie Poole as Mrs. Peachum and Nolan Ellsworth as Filch the Beggar.  The cast also includes actors new to New Surry Theatre’s stage, including Robin Jones as Mr. Peachum and Nan Lincoln in a cameo appearance as Pirate Jenny.