Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny 2007
Experience the wild, neon-lit spectacle of *Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny* (2007), a dazzling operatic masterpiece recorded live at the Los Angeles Opera.
Director: John Doyle
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2007) about?
This opera follows the rise of a booming desert city, Mahagonny, where sin is celebrated and suffering is punished by death. As prosperity lures the desperate, the town's inhabitants chase fleeting thrills—only to confront the hollow cost of their choices. It's a biting critique of capitalism and human nature.
Who directed Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny?
John Doyle, a Tony Award-winning director known for his innovative staging, helmed this production.
Who stars in Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny?
The stellar cast includes Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Anthony Dean Griffey, Robert Wörle, and Donnie Ray Albert.
Is Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2007) worth watching?
If you love opera with bite or darkly humorous social commentary, this is a must-see. Doyle's direction and the powerhouse performances elevate Brecht and Weill's classic into a visceral, modern experience that lingers long after the curtain falls.
How long is Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny?
The runtime is 133 minutes, offering a punchy, immersive dive into Mahagonny's chaotic world.
About Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2007) — Live Opera's Dark Satire of Greed and Excess
Experience the wild, neon-lit spectacle of *Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny* (2007), a dazzling operatic masterpiece recorded live at the Los Angeles Opera. Set in a desert boomtown where money rules and morality is a luxury, this Brecht-Weill classic thrives on excess, greed, and the fleeting thrill of hedonism. Director John Doyle transforms the stage into a glittering wasteland where pleasure is currency, poverty is a crime, and the American Dream curdles into a nightmare of unchecked indulgence.
John Doyle, celebrated for his Tony-winning stagecraft, brings this darkly satirical tale to life with razor-sharp precision. The cast shines in roles that blur the line between seduction and satire, led by the legendary Patti LuPone and the powerhouse Audra McDonald. With Kurt Weill's iconic score swelling behind Brecht's biting lyrics, *Mahagonny* isn't just a show—it's an unforgettable descent into a city built on lies, where the only law is cash.