The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill opened to a near full house on Thursday and continues throughout this weekend and next.

This musical comedy set in Victorian England around the turn of the century features parody, satire and story-songs such as “Mack the Knife” made famous in popular songs by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Bobbie Darin.

In the character of Mack the Knife, theatre goers will see the familiar face of Justin Heavner-a junior theatre major-who diversifies his theatrical experience from the nerdy lead role of Seymour Krelborn in last season's Little Shop of Horrors and more recently last November as the father in Eurydice to the nefarious criminal, Captain Macheath (Mack the Knife). He is paired with Kelsey Leach, a freshman music major, making her debut performance at the Mainstage Theatre.

A gang of beggars and their unscrupulous boss, a shady womanizer with current and past lovers, and a corrupt cop are in the mix of characters and the show is recommended for mature audiences.

This production, collaboration between Longwood Theatre and the Department of Music's Opera Workshop, features a large cast of theatre and music students, many who are freshman music students making debuts.

Musicians for the show include Carole Harper, Teri Kidd and Jim Kidd on piano; Ellie Swanson, flute; and Chris Kjorness, bass.

The Threepenny Opera will be presented Feb. 24-27 and March 3-6, Thurs.-Sat at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., in the Center for Communication Studies and Theatre's Mainstage Theatre. Advance reservations are recommended. Shows start promptly with no late admission. Tickets are $5 for Longwood students; $6, senior citizens, students from other schools/colleges and Longwood faculty/staff; and $8, general admission. For more information, contact the Box Office at 434.395.2474 or boxoffice@longwood.edu.