Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny

Prologue
Begbick and Jenny reflect on the fact that the paradise city of Benares has been destroyed by an earthquake. A new paradise city is needed — and this time they’re going to take matters into their own hands.

Act 1
On the run from federal agents in America, the three criminals Begbick, Fatty and Trinity Moses find themselves in the middle of nowhere. The idea of panning for gold in rivers seems too strenuous to them, so instead they decide to found a new paradise city right there on the spot which is to be called Mahagonny. Promising cheap alcohol and other pleasures, they hope to attract rich men who they can squeeze money out of with as little effort as possible. Young Jenny and some other girls soon arrive, seeking to earn a living by going on the game. Having spent seven years working hard in the Alaskan cold, Jim Mahoney, Jakob Schmidt, Joe and Bill follow the beckoning call of the city, in search of fun for their hard-earned money. To their surprise, and much to the chagrin of Begbick and her two friends, some people are already starting to leave town. But any doubts are soon cast aside: the four from Alaska are introduced to Jenny and the girls as soon as they arrive. Jim briefly negotiates rates, then takes Jenny as his girl. After a while however, Jim begins to resent the city’s prohibitions and the simplicity of its pleasures. When a typhoon speeds towards Mahagonny, threatening to wipe it out entirely, he takes the opportunity to proclaim his own law to the terrified residents: “Do what you please!” From now on everything is allowed — except having no money.