The show will play The Village Theatre beginning Aug. 14. As the mocking title readily suggest, the piece is an update of John Gay's famous The Beggar's Opera, the 1728 work of musical theatre that later inspired Brecht and Weill's The Threepenny Opera. According to press materials, "where the original featured a cast of beggars, hookers and crooks, this new version features 'gangstaz, pornstaz, and popstaz,' depicting the many ways in which our captivatingly corrupt culture idolizes and gives political influence to its own destructive elements." Mack the Knife, meanwhile, has morphed into a professional pornographer and "consummate New York Gangsta."

The score by Kirk Wood Bromley (book and lyrics) and John Gideon (music) employs styles ranging from rock and rap to torch songs and "psychedelic power ballads." Ben Yalom directs. The cast includes Joe Pindelski, April Vidal, Anni Bruno, Dan Renkin, Dalane Mason, Brian Kelly, Catherine McNelis, Kelly Spitko, Randall Middleton, Chris McCutchen, Timothy McCown Reynolds, Bob Laine, Hank Wagner, Sarah Engelke, John McConnel, Lydia Burns and Josh Hartung.

Tickets will be $15 and can be purchased by calling (212) 279-4488 or visit www.fringenyc.org.