The brothel's been raided, and a woman has been shot. A local businessman blackmails a corrupt chief of police. A gang of thieves loots the town for fun. And—come to think of it—Polly Peachum didn't come home last night. It must all mean one thing: Mackie's back in town.

With acerbic wit, "The Threepenny Opera" delivers a cautionary tale about capitalism packaged in a world-class musical production.