A simple setting: two singing actors and a pianist. But together they create a world populated by characters more real, haunting and powerful than a season full of traditional theater. Kurt Weill's legendary song book, including selections from "The Threepenny Opera," and the well-known works "Speak Low" and "Mack the Knife" is brought to life by two singers with verve and acting chops to spare.

Alvin Epstein has been seen on stages in Boston and throughout the country. He appeared recently in American Repertory Theatre's productions of "The Doctor's Dilemma," "Antigone" and "Three Farces and a Funeral." Formerly Artistic Director of the Guthrie Theater and Associate Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, Epstein has staged more than 20 productions and performed in more than 100. His Broadway and off-Broadway credits include his debut with Marcel Marceau, Orson Welles' "King Lear, Lucky" in the American premiere of "Waiting for Godot," Peachum in "The Threepenny Opera" (co-starring with rock star Sting), and the world premiere of Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin's "When the World Was Green (A Chef's Fable)". He is well-known for his performances of Weill works.

Canadian-born Beth Anne Cole (now a New York City resident) made her singing debut on Canadian television and radio at age 15. After training as an actress in England, she appeared for four seasons at the Shaw Festival in Canada in such operettas as "Rose Marie" and "The Desert Song." She has toured Canada and the U.S. with a one-woman show of songs and poetry, composed for PBS-TV's Sesame Street and written and performed critically acclaimed programs for Canadian radio on Parisian cabaret singer Yvette Guilbert and composer Harold Arlen. Her most recent recording, "Gifts in the Old, Old Ground," was released by Harmony Ridge Music.