Gangster Power: Shocking and Entertaining 1941 Play You Shouldn’t Miss
The works of Bertolt Brecht can often be an acquired taste, marked by large personalities, rhetorical monologues, and political satire wrapped in farce. His approach can feel intense and overwhelming—especially during a nearly three-hour production. Yet despite this density, the Mercury Theater’s staging of “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” proves unmissable.
The Core of the Story
The play follows Arturo Ui, portrayed by Kevin Bordi, a minor Chicago gangster who ruthlessly climbs to power through corruption, bribery, and violence. The first section centers on the cauliflower trade and introduces a wide range of characters that may initially confound the audience.
My advice: don’t worry too much about the plot’s details. As the play gains momentum, its message becomes unmistakable.
Brecht’s Vision and Historical Echoes
Bertolt Brecht completed the script in 1941 and described it as a “parable play” mirroring Adolf Hitler’s ascent to power. However, the production’s resonance stretches beyond a single historical figure, inviting reflection on broader themes of ambition and corruption.
Performance and Direction
Director Keith Baker has brought together a strong ensemble for this demanding work. Kevin Bordi’s transformation as Ui—from a hunched, desperate figure into a formidable, terrifying presence—is particularly gripping and central to the play’s impact.
Author’s Summary
This production turns Brecht’s political satire into a powerful modern warning about the corrupting nature of ambition and unchecked authority.