Sacramento Escorts: A brilliant staging of ‘Threepenny’
The musical play’s influence has been so pervasive since its 1928 Berlin premiere that the effects have rippled across the arts ever since. The current, inspired California Stage production, precisely directed by Angelina Reaux and extended through March 15, provides a knowing survey of the subtly layered satirical allegory.
Reaux has an accomplished international performance resume with serious Weill-Brecht connections. Her understanding of composer Weill and dramatist Brecht raises the level of this extremely well-cast and well-sung production through a series of consistent artistic choices.
Set in a comically mannered London underworld, the well-heeled crook and pimp Macheath (a.k.a. Mack the Knife) gets married, then betrayed, and finally providentially avoids the gallows. As Macheath, the full-voiced Michael RJ Campbell flourishes with his most restrained and most effective performance to date.