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Upper School Presents <i>The Threepenny Opera</i>

Set in 1830s London, The Threepenny Opera revolves around "Mac the Knife"--London's most charming criminal. Although he's essentially a thief, Mac is repeatedly betrayed by those closest to him. He's finally sent to Newgate prison, only to receive a last-minute reprieve from Queen Victoria. The final scenes reveal a tableau of epic theater with complex social and political sentiments. This historical theatrical work is just as relevant today as when it first premiered in 1928.

Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's wickedly satirical musical presents the concept of "alienation effect" in epic theater. By giving the audience constant reminders, such as the use of projections, signs, or breaking the fourth wall, the audience may draw their own conclusions about social change and responsibility as it is presented in the story.

In Ranney's newly-envisioned production, the action is immersed in a steam-punk motif, playing out themes of industrialism and capitalism which shape our current social environment. Weill's jazzy score with its signature tune, "Mac the Knife" is a great example of classic American Music Theater, with a fresh and updated twist.

SHOWTIMES:
March 6- 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
RSPA Panther Hall
Tickets: $15 at the door
Directed by John Doyle
Musical Direction by Tess Nielsen

CAST (in order of appearance)

Street Singer Evan Schultz '17
Mr. J.J. Peacham Noah Goldstein '14
Mrs. Celia Peacham Whitney Kelly '14
Filch Jacob Wahba '16
Polly Peacham Tessa Payer '16
Mach Heath (Mac the Knife) Karl Brand '16
Jenny Diver Alexandra Shay '15
Revend Kimball Jared Rush '17
Tiger Brown, Commissioner of the Police Taylor Zenner '17
Smith Joshua Weakley '14
Lucy Brown Lucy McGinty '17
Ready Money Matt George Timmins '15
Edwina Elinor Haney '14
Crook-finger Jake Brandon Flynn '14
Bob the Saw Jerome Cohen '16
Walt Dreary Benjamin Iglesia '17
Dolly Katie Gill '14
Betty Aeslyn Vlahos '16
Molly Chrissi Michael  '15
Coaxer Peri Rohl '16
The Queen's Messenger/Constable Mari Patient '17
Contrable Jack Fink '16
Cross-eyed Mary Madalyn Denton '16
Peg-Leg Sue Rose Faccone-Stockwell '17
Tilly the Tipper Tyler Oden '17
L'il Crippled Jeffrey Corbin Nielsen '18
Creative Team
Director John Doyle
Music Director Tess Nielsen
Conductor Kevin Cotter
Lighting and Costume Design John Doyle
Set Design & Painting John Doyle and Maddy Young '14
Producer Tess Nielsen
Lighting and Sound Advisor Rich Palmros
Stage Manager Shawna Singh '14
Assistant Stage Manager Coleen Ross '15
Costume Mistress Caitlin Mullally '15
Costume Crew:
Hannah Stamer ’16, Sarah Klein ’16, Robert Stott ’17,
Alex Weiner ’17, Ava Papetti ’15
Hair and Make-Up Design
Remi Rohl ’15
Lighting and Sound Advisor Rich Palmros
Alumni Sound Engineer Matt Callahan ’13
Lead Sound Engineer Michael Kmetz ’15
Sound Crew:
David Jacobs ’15, Dean Parker ’16, Jamie Shamilian
’16, Avneet Singh ’16
Spotlight Operator Ben Zalewski ’17
Projection Operator
Amanda Serrapica‘18
Posters and Programs
Tess Nielsen
Orchestra
Conductor Kevin Patrick Cotter
Woodwinds Paul Balog
Woodwinds
Drew Wierzbowski
Trumpet Jim McIlvain
Trumpet John Luckenbill
Euphonium Hunter Pearl, ‘14
Guitar
Sean Conlon
Guitar Sabrina Palazzolo, ‘14
Piano
Tess Nielsen
Drum Set John Gronert
Percussion
Fred Oltrazewski
Set Crew
Niya Klayman '16
Danielle Sobieski '16
Rachel Staats '16
Lead Sound Engineer Michael Kmetz '15
Sound Crew
David Jacobs '15
Jamie Shamilian '16
Avneet Singh '16
Ben Zalewski '17
Costume Crew
Hannah Stamer '16
Sarah Klein '16
Robert Stott '17
Alex Weiner '17
Ava Papetti '15
Remi Rohl '15

Behind the Scenes of The "Threepenny Opera"
Ranney went behind the scenes to talk with cast and crew members-including several first-year students-about their experiences on stage and within the school's theatre and performing arts program. View the video here.

Here, two of the actors, Tessa Payer and Karl Brand, talk about their roles and the performing arts overall at Ranney School. View the video here.

For further information please contact Tess Nielsen, Performing Arts Director at tnielsen@ranneyschool.org.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.