“The Threepenny Opera” is set in an Amazon warehouse in the Oct. 28 to Nov. 6 production at Muhlenberg College.

The classic musical, described by director James Peck as “‘The Godfather’ meets ‘The Office,’” will be presented in the Paul C. Empie Theatre, Baker Center for the Arts, 2400 Chew St., Allentown.

The musical, which debuted in 1928, follows the tension between crime gangs and the wealthy class in Victorian London. When Polly Peachum (Allison Mintz) elopes with the ruthless gang leader Macheath (Joe Grisanzio), their marriage sets off a turf war with the elder Peachums for control of London’s lucrative underground.

“It has a cutting, hard-edged humor that I think is very appealing. Underneath this humor, though, is an unflinching look at capitalist systems and violence,” Peck says.

“The Threepenny Opera” features a score by Kurt Weill, including the standard “Mack the Knife,” and book and lyrics by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann.

Only recently has Hauptmann been fully credited for her work on the book, lyrics and translation of the piece. The piece is adapted from John Gay’s 18th century “The Beggar’s Opera,” which Hauptmann translated.

“It’s almost 100-years-old, and it feels like it was written last week,” says Peck.

Instead of being set in the London streets, set designer You-Shin Chen imagined the set as an Amazon warehouse in a distribution center built of industrial materials.

“You can put a price tag on everything. Even humans can be up for sale. When the characters are onstage, they are the goods coming from these shipping crates that also act as the architecture of their world,” says Chen.

Peck says that Chen’s design is particularly relevant for the Lehigh Valley, where distribution center warehouse are one of the fastest-growing businesses.

“The general aim of the show is to comment on these structures and effects that we experience from capitalism, and how all of these horrible things that these characters do throughout the show are a product of a system that’s working against them,” says Grisanzio.

Many of the items utilized in the show were ordered from Amazon.

“As much as we can say we like to hate the structures and hate the way that people are treated, there are still things that we need to use, and it speaks to the fact that humans are kind of rotten, and that is something that comes up a lot in the show,” Mintz says.

The costumes reflect the production’s themes in bold, bright colors. Costume designer Rebecca Lustig says the costumes are inspired by the punk street fashion of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

“Both designers have taken street fashion and reinterpreted it into ‘high fashion.’ Even rebel fashion becomes a commodity,” Lustig says.

Peck says that while the show speaks to serious themes, at its heart it’s a raucous comedy with a jazzy, sophisticated score.

Angela Baughman is sound designer. Kat Zhou is lighting designer. Samuel Reyes is choreographer.

The production has references to violence, including sexual assault. It’s recommended for ages 17 and older.

“The Threepenny Opera:” 8 p.m. Oct. 28, 29, Nov. 3, 4, 5; 2 p.m. Oct. 30, Nov. 6. Tickets: www.muhlenberg.edu/seeashow; 484-664-3333

Cedar Crest one-act plays: The Cedar Crest College Performing Arts Department presents the one-act plays, “Ghost Stories” and “Approaching Lavendar,” Oct. 27-30, Samuels Theatre, Tompkins College Center, 100 College Drive, Allentown.

The plays focus on women in the midst of sorting out their lives, and were chosen to showcase the talents of Cedar Crest’s acting students. The audience will share the stage in a black box setting, says director Clair M. Freeman.

In “Ghost Stories,” written by Annie Evans, three college friends find that a story told around a campfire’s glow leads to bitter truths about the lives they’ve created for themselves.

The cast is Carter Reichard, Madison Paige Anusky and Anjolene Johnson.

“Approaching Lavendar,” a comedy by Julie Beckett, concerns two sisters who come face to face with the newest member of their extended family.

The cast is Katie Moyer, Chelsi Fread and Sofia Barbour.

“Ghost Stories,” “Approaching Lavendar,” 7 p.m. Oct. 27-29; 2 p.m. Oct. 30. Tickets: www.cedarcrest.edu/stage; 610-606-4608

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com