by Leah Plante-Wiener and Nate Weida
directed by Benjamin Viertel
Columbia University School of the Arts invites you to a thrilling reinvention of Die Dreigroschenoper, known more commonly as "The Threepenny Opera," directed by MFA Directing candidate, Benjamin Viertel, set in the heart of New York City’s underground club scene.
This audacious contemporary text by Leah Plante-Wiener, based on a new translation by Viertel and Nate Weida, transforms Brecht and Weill's classic critique of capitalism into a modern, hilarious, and brutally honest work for our times. With fresh lyrics and music by Weida inspired by EDM and house music, the production promises an exhilarating blend of sharp wit, sultry allure, and raw intensity. Don’t miss this chance to experience a legendary tale of morality, deception, and survival redefined for today’s brutal, fragile, and amoral world.
Showtimes
Thursday, October 17 @ 8 PM
Friday, October 18 @ 8 PM
Saturday, October 19 @ 2 PM
Saturday, October 19 @ 8 PM
Sunday, October 20 @ 2 PM
Run Time
110 minutes, no intermission
Content Warning
The Threepenny Opera contains depictions of abuse, violence, death, sexual assault and harassment, nudity, and explicit language.
Featuring
Jake Brinskele – MACHEATH
Jacqui Byrne ’25 as POLLY PEACHUM
Fred Rice – MR. JJ PEACHUM
Emily Kleypass ’24 – MRS. CELIA PEACHUM
Adam Brett – TIGER BROWN
David Hernandez III – LUCY BROWN
Hannah Karpenko – JENNY
ENSEMBLE/ONSTAGE BAND
Brayden Co, Caleb Christensen, Hanna Shykind, Darby Puckett, and Nate Weida.
Production Team & Crew
Original Book and Lyrics Bertolt Brecht
Original Music Kurt Weill
New Book Leah Plante-Wiener (current student)
New Lyrics, New Music and Music Director Nate Weida
Translation by Benjamin Viertel (current student) and Nate Weida
Director Benjamin Viertel (current student)
Dramaturg Zeina AlBarkouky (current student)
Producer Zachary Hedner (current student)
Production Stage Manager Morgan Grant (current student)
Assistant Stage Manager Alexa Sacks-Wilner (current student)
Assistant Stage Manager Grace Posillico (current student)
Company Manager Alana Roberts (current student)
Choreographer lisa nevada
Scenic and Props Designer Forest Entsminger
Costume Designer Kyle Artone
Lighting Designer Nicholas Pollock
Lighting Designer Willem Hinternhoff
Sound Designer and Mixer Bennett Lin
About the Director
Benjamin Viertel is a director based in New York City who has worked off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Benjamin grew up in France with an Italian mother and German father. At 11 he emigrated to the U.S. speaking three languages, none of them English. A director and foreigner, his work makes the outsider experience central while illuminating injustices and exposing the underpinnings of society. Through an amalgamation of American and European dramaturgical and theatrical styles, Benjamin creates performances that teeter between seduction and aggression, focusing on the individual versus society, and investigating shame in the personal and political spheres. Benjamin’s work has been reviewed by The New Yorker and The New York Times, among others. Benjamin holds a BFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon University and is pursuing his MFA in Directing at Columbia University.
About the Writers
Leah Plante-Wiener is a New York-based playwright, performer, and multidisciplinary artist originally from Montreal. She is currently pursuing her MFA in playwriting at Columbia. Recent productions of Leah’s work include the electrologist at the Catch Performance Series, watching you watching me watching you at The Tank, Warm Science at The Brick, and Gutbelly at Columbia, which Benjamin also directed. Additionally, Leah recently attended the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and the La MaMa Umbria Playwrights’ Retreat. Leah is a fan of the unpleasant and the absurd. leahpwrites.com // @leah.annia
Nate Weida (New Lyrics/New Music/Music Director/Ensemble/Walter) composer of 16 musicals - including Goldhaven (The Brick - directed by Benjamin Viertel), Byuioo (Pipeline), Boats And (Ars Nova), In Corpo (Assembly/Dutch Kills), Night Vale Presents’ podcast It Makes a Sound, and Pirate La Dee Da (Atlantic Theater). Currently music director for the Possibility Project; resident artist at Judson Church developing a folk opera adaptation of The Oresteia; Salty Brine’s Living Record Collection (Joe’s Pub & Lincoln Center). www.nateweida.com