By Michelle Hines, University Relations
The pie’s the thing in UNCG Theatre’s production of 'Sweeney Todd.'
(336) 334-5371
Posted 9-11-07
GREENSBORO, NC--It may ruin your appetite for meat pies, but UNCG Theatre’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will thrill you nonetheless.
Stephen Sondheim’s dark musical runs Oct. 3-10 in Taylor Theatre.
Based on a 19th-century legend, “Sweeney Todd” is a gruesome tale of murder and revenge. Sweeney Todd returns to London after 15 years of forced exile to find his wife poisoned and his daughter the ward of the man who ruined his life, Judge Turpin. Todd and his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, conspire in a dastardly plot that ends in mass murder, booming business for Lovett’s meat pie shop and desperate deceptions.
Modern audiences can connect with the show’s dark themes, says director Christine Morris, a theatre professor at UNCG. “While we do not experience the same class distinctions and social inertia that impacted these Victorian characters, the poverty, hopelessness and desperation are just as real on the streets of our modern nation.”
And, Morris adds, “Sondheim’s exquisite and challenging music is such terrific material; there is so much information that directors and actors can glean just from the score itself. It’s a great story, combining humor and horror, tragedy and love.”
The original production of the show won eight Tony Awards; the 2006 revival won several Drama Desk awards and the Tony Award for Best Director. Broadway icon Angela Lansbury created the role of Mrs. Lovett, which Patti LuPone recreated in the revival. A film version is slated for release this winter.
Of course the dramatic talents at UNCG will add a little homegrown magic to the already potent mix.
“Our design concept is an innovative re-imagining of how man and machine interacted during the Industrial Revolution,” says Morris. “Complete with giant gears, a revolving set and trap doors, secrets will be revealed and blood will flow.”
Robert Matthews is musical director, Matthew Emerson is scene designer, Katie Estler is costume designer and Claire Garrard is lighting designer.
Lead players include: Sweeney Todd, Zac Campbell; Anthony Hope, Jon Douglas; Beggar Woman, Melinda Whittington; Mrs. Lovett, Emily Mark; Judge Turpin, Josh Purvis; Beadle Bamford, Sean Gallagher; Johanna, Clara Burrus; Tobias Ragg, Philip Eggers; Adolfo Pirelli, Alex Lieberman.
Show dates and times are: Oct. 3 and 4, 7 p.m.; Oct. 5 and 6, 8 p.m.; Oct. 6, 2 p.m.; Oct. 7, 2 p.m.; Oct. 9 and 10, 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, students or children; $9 for groups of 10 or more and UNCG Alumni Association members; and $7 for UNCG students. Contact the University Box Office at (336) 334-4849 or http://boxoffice.uncg.edu.
