Posted by Zoe Dartley
The theater department is excited to announce its spring 2013 mainstage production, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler. This production is directed by Carolyn Anderson with Scenic Design and Co-Creation by Garett Wilson. Music Directed by Emma Weiss '13. Performances are April 12-14 and 18-21, 2013. All shows are in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater at 8:00pm, except Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.
Set in mid 19th century London, the musical thriller follows the dark tale of barber Benjamin Barker. A victim of the law, Barker is unjustly imprisoned for years in Australia by the judge who ravaged his wife. Seeking vengeance, Barker returns to his native England as Sweeney Todd and opens a barbershop above Mrs. Lovett's pie shop. Together, the two develop a murderous partnership as Mrs. Lovett gladly grinds up the bodies of Todd's victims into her meat pies, which grow to be a hit on the streets of London.
While the production has involved plenty of hard work and elbow grease, it has been immensely rewarding for those involved. Weiss proposed the project to Carolyn Anderson of the theatre department last year, and has received a great amount of help from the faculty. States Weiss: "I've been in an independent study in Conducting with Dr. Holland all year and have had so much support from him. We have also had a lot of help from Kathy Mendenhall in the theater department who has taught a few "master classes" in singing technique which has been a great help to both the leads and chorus members." While the work has been hard, Weiss is incredibly grateful for the experience: "I [also] have been leading rehearsals with our small orchestra and they have been just amazing to work with. I am so lucky to have been able to work with such a determined and passionate group... The cast has come an incredibly long way from back in January. It's not every day you have the opportunity to be a part of such a historic production like this. Skidmore hasn't done a musical in the theater department in almost 20 years. None of this would have been possible without Carolyn and Gary's vision and all the help from Dr. Holland. They have let me feel like a collaborator in this immense undertaking and I couldn't be more grateful and proud to have been a part of this production."
For reservations, call the Skidmore Theater Box Office at (518) 580-5439 or email boxoffice@skidmore.edu. Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. For group sales, contact Kathy Mendenhall at (518) 580-5431 or kmendenh@skidmore.edu.