The Community College of Rhode Island Players will present Marc Blitzstein’s English-language version of the landmark musical “The Threepenny Opera” from Dec. 3 through 6 at the college’s Knight Campus in Warwick.

In their opera “by and for beggars,” composer Kurt Weill and playwright Bertolt Brecht transformed saccharine, old-fashioned opera and operetta forms, incorporating a sharp political perspective and the sound of 1920s Berlin dance bands and cabaret.

Set in post-Victorian London, “The Threepenny Opera” spins the tale of Macheath, an outlaw known as Mack the Knife. Mack marries Polly Peachum, the daughter of the leader of Soho’s underworld, but his in-laws betray him and he is sent to Newgate Prison. After being freed by Lucy Brown, the police chief’s daughter, Mack is again betrayed, this time by the prostitute Jenny. Sentenced to be hanged, Mack receives a last-minute reprieve from the king, thus providing the play with a mock-heroic ending. In his typical fashion, however, Brecht reminds his audience that “in real life, the ending isn’t quite so fine.”

Weill’s acid harmonies and Brecht’s biting texts created a revolutionary new musical theater that inspired such subsequent hits as “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” and “Urinetown.” The show's opening number, “Mack the Knife,” became one of the top popular songs of the century.

The CCRI Players’ production of The Threepenny Opera is directed by Jeffrey A. Butterworth, with choreography by CCRI alumna Gladys Cole. Set design is by Luke J. Sutherland, costume design by Brandy Lee Silva, and lighting and sound design by Mick Jones. The student cast features Warwick residents Antonio Rodrigues as Macheath, Laura Minadeo as Jenny, Kristin Arsenault as Mrs. Peachum and MacKenzie Medwin as Lucy Brown, Corey Mulvey of Cumberland as Mr. Peachum, Jessica Schloesser of Riverside as Polly Peachum, Thomas McCormick of Providence as Tiger Brown and Benjamin Lovejoy of East Greenwich as the Street Singer. Members of the ensemble include Brittany Dyer of North Kingstown, Adam M. Florio of Coventry, Lisa Maiorano of Wakefield, Kevin Naud of Woonsocket, Brettny Nicole of West Warwick, Angela Scheivert of Cranston, Michael James Shaw of Smithfield and Cody Wilson of Warwick. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3; 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors citizens. For reservations, call (401) 825-2219.