Artistic director Patricia Nickel-Dönicke launched her tenure at with 's 1941 play, '.' This nearly three-hour production features 11 directors and a cast from the local ensemble.
The staging by Wolfgang Menardi utilizes a Chicago car graveyard set with Austrian flags and a crucifix. In this parable, Chicago represents Germany while Cicero stands for Austria, following a vegetable merchant consortium and the rise of character Arturo Ui.
Bettina Kerl and Max Kurth share the lead role, supported by a score from Tobias Schwencke and music from 'The Sopranos.' Featuring a Brecht puppet and a disco ball, the play explores political power dynamics through a unique, multi-director lens in .