2007-08 Season
Internet ticketing is available now!
The Threepenny OperaMusic by Kurt Weill
Book by Bertolt Brecht
English adaptation by Marc Bliztstein
October 11-21, 2007
Laurie Theater
Directed by Eric Hill
Musical director Steven Bergman
Choreography by Avital Asuleen, B.A. ‘06
Scenic design by Karl Eigsti, faculty member
Costume design by AmEla Baksic, M.F.A. ‘95
Lighting design by Michael Chybowski, faculty member
Marc Blitzstein’s translation of Kurt Weill’s and Brecht’s dark masterpiece premiered at Brandeis 55 years ago featuring Lotte Lenya and Jo Sullivan in the cast and went on to establish the show as a regular on American stages. To celebrate this anniversary and legacy, we salute the past with an intimate production of this now classic musical based on John Gay’s 1728 Beggar’s Opera. Highly acclaimed scenic designer (and Brandeis faculty member) Karl Eigsti leads the design team that includes Brandeis students, faculty and alumnae.
“as a theater work, The Threepenny Opera is a triumph of style.”
Brooks Atkinson at the opening in New York
Made possible through generous support from the Robin, Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Endowment for the Performing Arts.
Click here for the Backstage Broadcast for The Threepenny Opera at the Brandeis Theater Company to hear a behind the scenes story about the show.
The Three Musketeers
By Alexandre Dumas
November 8-18, 2007
Laurie Theater
Directed by Stacy Klein and Matthew Glassman
Created by Double Edge Theatre Ensemble with the Brandeis Theater Company
Double Edge Theatre returns to Brandeis after their sold-out run of Don Quixote (the UNpossessed) in 2003 to create a new piece based on Alexandre Dumas’ swashbuckling tale of swordsmen, seduction, royalty, revenge and one cranky Cardinal. This production promises to be full of adventure for both actors and audiences as they journey together on missions of honor, mischief and romance. Now in its 25th year, Double Edge Theatre has toured internationally with their unique brand of ensemble physical theatre, combining daring feats and stunning imagery to elevate the possibilities of what can happen in a theater.
“go with an open mind -- and, even more, an open heart -- and a willingness to surrender to strangeness, and you may just come away with an image or two that will linger for years.”
Louise Kennedy, The Boston Globe
Click here for the Backstage Broadcast, a downloadable podcast, for a behind the scenes look with Double Edge Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Stacy Klein and lead actor and Producing Director Carlos Uriona.
As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
February 7-17, 2008
Laurie Theater
Directed by Adrianne Krstansky, faculty member
Adrianne Krstansky (of A.R.T.’s Britannicus and director of Thom Payne: based on nothing at New Repertory Theater) directs Shakespeare’s whimsical, pastoral comedy with her own imaginative and innovative approach. Frederick exiles his brother Orlando from the kingdom; Orlando’s daughter Rosalind, her cousin Celia and jester Touchstone soon follow to the Forest of Arden where, disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind coaches the smitten Orlando on how to win Rosalind’s affection. Meanwhile Ganymede must fight off the attention of Phoebe, making arrangements for her to wed the shepherd Silvius…confused? Don’t worry, all’s well that ends well, right?
“All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts”…Act II, Scene 7
Click here to listen to the Backstage Broadcast, a conversation with Ramona Alexander, MFA'08 who plays Rosalind, Shakespeare's greatest heroine.
The Orphan of Zhao
Traditional Chinese folktale adapted by Mia Chung
March 27 – April 6, 2008
Mainstage Theater
Directed by Eric Hill and Naya Chang, M.F.A. ‘08
Original music composed by Yu-Hui Chang, faculty member
Performed by Jiebing Chen, erhu and Yangqin Zhao, hammered dulcimer
and members of Brandeis University’s Lydian String Quartet
Presented in partnership with MusicUnitesUS, Judith Eissenberg, director
As her son reaches the threshold of manhood, Cheng Ying relates the history of the Orphan of Zhao. The streets of Jin are awash in the blood of the noble Zhao Clan. The vicious slaughter ignites a succession of individual acts of virtue and sacrifice—as the hope for retribution and a return to a humane social order is pinned to the survival of a baby boy. Her tale of how manic, vicious evil ignited a succession of individual acts of courage and sacrifice prepares her son to take his place in history. The timeless swing of the pendulum of justice—powered by the momentum of personal humanity—resounds in this new adaptation of a stirring and resonant Chinese classic.
Special added event: Jiebing Chen, erhu and Yangqin Zhao, hammered dulcimer and members of Brandeis University’s Lydian String Quartet will perform live in concert as part of the World Music Series on Saturday, March 29 at 8 pm.
Made possible through generous support from the Jaffe Foundation, the Herbert and Kim Marie Beigel New Play Fund, the Ann ’56 and Clive Cummis Family Foundation and the Poses Fund.
A study guide for The Orphan of Zhao has been created; to download it, click here.
Internet ticketing is available now!
Single tickets go on sale by phone one month prior to the opening of each production.Peformance Schedule/Prices:
Thursday Preview at 8pm - $16
Friday Opening at 8pm - $20
Saturday at 8pm - $20
2nd Thursday at 8pm - $18
2nd Friday at 8pm - $20
Saturday Matinee at 2pm - $18
2nd Saturday at 8pm - $20
Sunday Matinee at 2pm - $20