Theater Department to stage "Sweeney Todd"

Love, murder, revenge, comedy, tragedy — these are the elements of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," the spring mainstage production from the Theater Department.

The Skidmore Department of Theater will present Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as its spring mainstage production. The show features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler. Carolyn Anderson, professor of theater, is directing the production; scenic design is by Garett Wilson, and music direction is by Emma Weiss ’13.

Performances are scheduled Friday through Sunday, April 12-14, and Thursday through Sunday, April 18-21, in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. All shows are at 8 p.m. except on Sundays, which feature a 2 p.m. matinee.

Love! Murder! Revenge! Tragedy! Comedy! Stirring music! These are the elements of Sweeney Todd, a musical thriller. Set in mid-19^th-century England, it is the chilling tale of a barber, Benjamin Barker, who is unjustly imprisoned for years in Australia by a lecherous judge who ravaged his wife. Barker returns to England as the vengeful Sweeney Todd, who opens a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop. His thirst for blood soon expands to include not only the judge, but also his customers. The resourceful Mrs. Lovett happily grinds up the bodies and puts them into her meat pies, which become a hot item in London.

For reservations, please call the Skidmore Theater Box Office at (518) 580-5439 or use email. Tickets are $12, general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. For group sales, please contact Kathy Mendenhall at (518) 580-5431.