FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE THEATRE TO PRESENT 'THE THREEPENNY OPERA' Drake University Theatre's production of "The Threepenny Opera," a musical set in the criminal underworld of 19th century London, will open Thursday, March 8, and continue through Sunday, March 11. First performed in Berlin in 1928, "The Threepenny Opera" is one of the major masterpieces of 20th century musical theater. It is not an opera, but a cynical, sometimes dark and frequently very funny musical play featuring the music of Kurt Weill and the text and lyrics of Bertold Brecht. "The hero of the story is Macheath, a murderer and thief better known as Mack The Knife," said Director Clive Elliott, Drake's Daniel B. Goldberg artist in residence. "The moral of the story -- if there is one -- could be that you can get away with murder. In spite of the low-life characters that fill the stage, this musical offers a vastly entertaining evening and even purveys a curious sort of innocence." Drake's production has a cast of 24, an orchestral ensemble conducted by professor John Canarina, director of orchestral activities at Drake; choreography by Sally Garfield, associate professor of theatre arts at Drake; and musical direction by Colleen Jennings, an instructor in the Drake Community School of Music. The huge set is designed by Frank Fuhrman, a senior from Des Moines who is majoring in theatre design. Performances start at 8 p.m. March 8, 9 and 10 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, in the Hall of Performing Arts, Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens. For tickets, call the Drake Fine Arts Box Office at (515) 271-3841. A TalkAbout preceding the Friday, March 9, performance will start at 6 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center, 28th Street and Brattleboro Avenue. An English supper will be followed by Elliott's talk on "Why Three Pennies?" TalkAbout reservations are required. Tickets for the TalkAbout and Friday night performance are $18 per person and can be obtained by calling (515) 271-4747. Cost for the TalkAbout alone is $10.