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Sweeney
Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Fall 2003 Historic Playmakers Theater November 21-24, 2003 |
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CAST Sweeney Todd – Eric Kallin Mrs. Lovett – Sarah Vartabedian Anthony – Brett Yates Judge – Daniel David Beggar Woman – Lauren Northup Toby – Keegan de Lancie Beadle – Danny Coles Johanna – Shaina Vatz Pirelli – Jon Todd Company – Brad Smoak, Brian Busby, David Aidan Mackay, Sara Atkins, Abigail Taylor, Sean Galgano, Ben Sweezy, Amanda Jepsen, Kat Godfrey, Emily Mays, Drew McLelland PRODUCTION STAFF Director – Gretta Beaty Asst. Director – Ashley Kennedy Orchestral Director – Dave Moschler Producer – Andrew Eckert Stage Managers – Jen Mullins, Zach Jepsen, Craig McLemore Technical Director – Amy Fox PIT ORCHESTRA Pit Orchestra – Becky Smith, Hannah Gustaffson, Elise Landon, Julie Boerckel, Rich Gashnig, Craigh Prohazka, Courtney Pinard, BEcca Gurganious, Katie Shields, Monica Morgan, Sandy Svoboda, David Marable, Will Hannah, James Brock, Heather Craft, Lucas Rowe, Steve Blanchard, Behrooz Mostafavi, Cathy Ta, Sarah Knutson, Jonny Chen, Susan Strobel, Lindsay Lambe, Matt Kiefer, Sarah Miller, Cynthia Gagne, Pat Tennis, Crystal Zeager, Kristina Pugh, Michael Hermann, Doug Little, Clay Williams, & Jeremy Boomhower |
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| from The Daily
Tarheel By Jim Walsh Staff Writer November 21, 2003 Never mind Franklin Street -- Fleet Street is the new place for freaks. Unusual characters abound in the Pauper Players' production of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," a musical tale of justice, murder and revenge. The show is different from many that the student-run group has performed in the past. "It's unlike a lot of other musicals," said Amy Fox, the show's technical director. "It deals with killing and death, but it's done in a funny way." Treading precariously between comedy and horror, the story follows Sweeney Todd, a barber driven to insanity when his wife and children are taken unjustly from him by an evil judge. To seek revenge, Todd embarks on a murderous rampage throughout 19th century London, delivering corpses to his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, whose new meat pies become the rage of the city. In many ways, "Sweeney Todd" is more like a scary movie than a Broadway show, but that is the way Director Gretta Beaty interpreted it. "It's written with a horror movie in mind -- a lot of the dialogue is underscored," she said. Students and community enthusiasts make up a live 20-member orchestra, which performs the show's music. Written by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, the Tony Award-winning musical is one of the more complex projects undertaken by Pauper Players. "The music is very challenging, and the set is elaborate," said Producer Andrew C. Eckert. "We picked it to give Pauper Players another challenge." The group has faced other challenges as well. Because they are a student-run organization not affiliated with a specific department, the Players have struggled to find space and other resources. For this production, they were fortunate to land the highly coveted Old Playmakers Theatre. "It's difficult to get in here because the space is so high in demand," Fox said. "We're very appreciative to the drama department for giving us the space and the resources." Even with the help of the Department of Dramatic Art, the Players had to be creative in obtaining materials. One member found a meat grinder and the antique razors used for the show in her grandmother's basement. The group also capitalized on the ominous feeling of dusty, old Playmakers by bringing the action closer to the audience's seats. "I really like Playmakers," Beaty said. "It's got a cool atmosphere. I tried to incorporate that into the show." Such extra efforts are sure to show in the Pauper Players production of "Sweeney Todd." It has all the makings of a macabre masterpiece. |
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