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Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Date of Death: August 14, 1956 (58)

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

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BIO

Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright, director, and poet who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century theatre. Born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany, Brecht was the son of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. He studied medicine at the University of Munich but soon turned his attention to writing and theatre.


Brecht's first major success as a playwright came with his play "Drums in the Night," which premiered in 1922. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Brecht as a major figure in German theatre. He went on to write several other plays, including "In the Jungle of Cities" (1923), "The Threepenny Opera" (1928), and "The Mother" (1932).
Brecht's plays were known for their political and social commentary, and he often used his work to critique capitalism and the rise of fascism in Germany. He was a committed Marxist and believed that theatre should be used as a tool for social change. His plays were also known for their use of "alienation" techniques, which were designed to distance the audience from the action on stage and encourage them to think critically about what they were seeing.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Brecht was also a prolific director and producer. He founded the Berliner Ensemble in 1949, which became one of the most important theatre companies in Europe. He also worked extensively in film, writing and directing several movies, including "Kuhle Wampe" (1932) and "The Threepenny Opera" (1931).
Brecht's influence on theatre and performance is still felt today. His ideas about theatre as a tool for social change and his use of alienation techniques have been adopted by many contemporary theatre practitioners. His plays continue to be performed around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of playwrights and directors from Samuel Beckett to Tony Kushner.
Brecht died on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin, Germany. His most recent work was the play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," which was first performed in 1948.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Playwright

Writing

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Songs
Source Material
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Bookwriter/Lyricist
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Movies

The Threepenny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
The 3 Penny Opera
[ 1931 ] writer
Ubiytsy vykhodyat na dorogu
[ 1942 ] writer
Frauenschicksale
[ 1952 ] lyricist
Katzgraben
[ 1957 ] writer
Mother
[ 1958 ] writer
Mother Courage and Her Children
[ 1961 ] writer
Der Tod des Flohzirkusdirektors
[ 1973 ] writer
Galileo
[ 1975 ] writer
The Life Story of Baal
[ 1978 ] writer
Mahagonny
[ 1980 ] writer
Die Antigone des Sophokles nach der Hölderlinschen Übertragung für die Bühne bearbeitet von Brecht 1948 (Suhrkamp Verlag)
[ 1992 ] writer
The Career of Arturo Ui: New Version
[ 1996 ] writer
L'étude du chercheur ambulant
[ 2009 ] writer
Im Dickicht Der Städte
[ 2013 ] writer
Santa Joana dos Matadouros
[ 2014 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Bertolt Brecht, Happy End


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Oustanding Lyrics

Bertolt Brecht, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Bertolt BrechtThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Videos

News


Coque Malla protagonizará LA �"PERA DE LOS TRES CENTAVOS
by Alba Corona - Jul 4, 2025

El Teatro Pérez Galdós acogerá los días 29 y 30 de enero de 2026 el estreno de LA ÓPERA DE LOS TRES CENTAVOS, la célebre obra de Bertolt Brecht y Kurt Weill, en una nueva producción que contará con el músico y compositor Coque Malla en el papel de Mackie Navaja.
AUFSTIEG UND FALL DER STADT MAHAGONNY Comes to Theater Basel
by Stephi Wild - Jul 1, 2025

Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, an opera in three acts, with music by Kurt Weill and text by Bertolt Brecht, will premiere in August. Learn more about the show here!
OZ Arts Unveils New Season Featuring Artists From Six Continents
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2025

Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville will host its most international season of programming yet, featuring 10 groundbreaking performances created by artists from 6 continents. Learn more!
Interview: Writer and Performer Jack Klaff and KAFKA at 59E59 Theaters
by Marina Kennedy - Jun 17, 2025

Kafka is now on stage at 59E59 Theaters running through June 29th. Directed by Colin Watkeys and produced by Twilight Theatre Co., writer and performer Jack Klaff portrays acclaimed author Franz Kafka’s friends, lovers, and critics.
Review: BERLIN CABARET �" ADELAIDE CABARET FRINGE 2025 at Arthur Art Bar
by Barry Lenny - Jun 3, 2025

Hopefully, there’ll be more revivals in the future.
Trap Door Theatre Extends Acclaimed Production of Brecht’s GALILEO
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2025

Due to popular demand, Trap Door Theatre has announced an extension of its critically acclaimed production of Galileo, Bertolt Brecht’s powerful portrait of the legendary astronomer and his struggle with faith, truth, and authority.
THE TIGER LILLIES: SOHO SONGS Comes to Soho Theatre Walthamstow
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2025

The world's foremost neo-Brechtian-post-punk-falsetto-squeezebox-gypsy-cabaret-three-piece band, The Tiger Lillies, will perform at Soho Theatre Walthamstow for one night only.
Review: THE SKIN OF THE SNAKE at National Theatre In Warsaw
by Natalia Jarczynska - Apr 26, 2025

After a marathon of musical performances, I thought I’d take a breather at the dramatic theatre, hoping for a quiet evening. But lo and behold, I found myself swept away in a whirlwind of emotion and song—who would have thought?
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Unveils 2025-26 Season Featuring URINETOWN and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 23, 2025

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre has revealed the company's 2025-2026 season inviting audiences to root for the underdog with the satirical hit Urinetown, plus more.
Review: Berliner Ensemble's Gone-in-a-Flash THREEPENNY OPERA Spends Long Weekend at BAM
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 8, 2025

Macheath’s back in town! Or at least he was for a few short days, when the Berliner Ensemble brought its now-famous Barrie Kosky production of THREEPENNY OPERA to BAM, in association with St. Ann’s Warehouse.
CL�"TURE DE L’AMOUR (LOVE’S END) West Coast Premiere Comes to Odyssey Theatre Next Month
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2025

French director Maurice Attias, in residence at the Odyssey Theatre, brings a slice of French culture to L.A. with the West Coast premiere of Clôture de l’amour (Love’s End) by celebrated French playwright Pascal Rambert.
Odyssey Theatre Founding Artistic Director Ron Sossi Dies at 85
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's founding artistic director Ron Sossi passed away on Wednesday, March 19, at the age of 85.
Rory Bremner to Launch 2025 Live Tour MAKING AN IMPRESSION
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2025

Master satirist Rory Bremner is back with an intimate show  that combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation, accompanied by a rotating cast of special guest hosts. Learn more about the tour here!
Tales from the Blacklist: The Shadow of McCarthyism On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 16, 2025

As Broadway prepares to reckon with the effect of McCarthyism on journalism in the new drama, Good Night and Good Luck, go deeper into the history of the Red Scare and its long-lasting implications for artists on Broadway and beyond.
Photos: Jessica Hecht and More in A MOTHER Rehearsals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. See rehearsal photos!
La MaMa To Present ABOVE GROUND - NOT EXACTLY A COMEDY, A Reflection On Aging By Ten Actors Age 74-98
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 8, 2025

In 'Above Ground - Not Exactly a Comedy,' ten senior actors reflect on how they deal with the undeniable fact of getting old, regaling the audience with improvised personal experiences of maturity, illness and loss mixed with childhood memories.
Lee Hall Adapts MOTHER COURAGE For New Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Ensemble ‘84 has announced the dates for its debut production, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht and adapted by award-winning writer Lee Hall.
Fergie Philippe Joins A MOTHER at Baryshnikov Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. See who is starring and learn more!
Fergie Philippe Joins Jessica Hecht in A MOTHER at Baryshnikov Arts
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2025

Baryshnikov Arts will begin its 20th Anniversary Spring Season with A MOTHER, a new play written by Neena Beber and co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht. Fergie Philippe joins the previously announced Hecht, Delilah Napier, Zane Pais, and Portia.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Bertolt Brecht written?

Bertolt Brecht has written 36 shows including Die Sieben Todsünden (Lyricist), Mother (Playwright), Galileo (Playwright), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Lyricist), Man is Man (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Bookwriter), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Source Material), Baal (Playwright), The Exception and the Rule/ The Prodigal Son (Playwright), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Drums in the Night (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Libretto), The Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny (Bookwriter), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Lyricist), The Measures Taken (Playwright), Downfall of the Egotist Johann Fatzer (Playwright), Happy End (Bookwriter/Lyricist), A Kurt Weill Cabaret (Lyricist), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), The Antigone of Sophokles (Playwright), An Evening with Ekkehard Schall (Material), The Threepenny Opera (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), In the Jungle of Cities (Playwright), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Mother Courage (Playwright), LoveMusik (Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Good Person of Szechwan (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Playwright).

What awards has Bertolt Brecht been nominated for?

Bertolt Brecht has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Happy End," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Mother Courage and Her Children," and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle."

What awards has Bertolt Brecht won?

Bertolt Brecht has won several awards throughout his career. Some notable awards include Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" and Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards for "The Caucasian Chalk Circle". These accolades recognize Brecht's exceptional talent and contribution to the world of theater.

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