German Playwright/Poet Bertolt Brecht's "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui"

 German playwright/poet Bertolt Brecht (b. 1898-1956) collective works are major contributions to dramaturgy of the 20thC. Dramaturgy is theatrical storytelling format incorporating classical works with historical & ideological references.  Brecht's play "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui" was revived in an Off-Off B'wy production in the Lyra Theater.  The Lyra Theater is tucked away in a charming, cavern inside an old  Church next to Stuyvesant Park.  A clever setting for a political satire based on an Al Capone like figure, Arturo Uri.  Uri is a corrupt thug who manipulates politicians, police & local businesses through murder, extortion & intimidation.  The idea for reinterpreting Brecht's prescient political play was admirable but the production itself, regrettable.   I'm afraid I have come to bury this revival (conveniently underground) not to praise it.  The staging was a capricious circus.  The satire lost with its idiotic shenanigans.  The musical chair swopping of characters was distracting.  Matthew Van Gessel cast in the lead role of Ui & the judge did an admirable job.  The literary references included Shakespeare's plays "Julis Caesar"& "Richard III" and Goeth's tragic play "Faust." "The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui" felt like an acting class exercise not ready for prime time showing.