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NU Theatre presents Tony-Award-winning 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'

by jmaloni

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Mon, Oct 6th 2014 11:15 am

Just perfect for the dark nights of autumn, from Nov. 6-16, NU Theatre presents "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler.

Sweeney Todd, a barber unjustly exiled from his home and family, returns to London seeking retribution against the unscrupulous judge who framed him. The road to vengeance leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, the ingeniously enterprising proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new practice and proceeds to slice his way through London's upper crust. The production features what is generally regarded as Sondheim's most beautiful and ingeniously crafted score.

Directed by Steve Braddock, director of NU Theatre, this multiple Tony Award-winning musical thriller explores love, loss and revenge with brilliant wit, diabolical humor and astonishing music.

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 6, and 13, and at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 8; Friday, Nov. 14; and Saturday, Nov. 15. Also, 2 p.m. matinees will be presented Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 8-9 (with post-show discussion) and 15-16. The play contains adult subject matter and language.

Music direction will be provided by adjunct professor Cristen Gregory, accompanied by Claudia Andres. Choreography is by associate professor (dance)/choreographer Terri Filips Vaughan. Scenic design will be by associate professor/scenic designer/production manager David Dwyer. Costume, hair and makeup design is by Maureen T. Stevens, associate professor/costume, hair and makeup designer. Light design is by theater design/technology major Nathan Van Remmen and sound design is by adjunct faculty member Glenn Bernardis. Stage manager is theater design/technology major Marissa Allen of Tonawanda. Assistant stage managers are theater design/technology major Jordan Grimble of Albion, and theater performance major Vanessa Shevat of Phoenix.

Niagara University theatre performance majors who are in the cast include: Matthew J. DiVita (Sweeney Todd) of Rochester; Marina Laurendi (Mrs. Lovett) of Lewiston; Nathanial W. C. Higgins (Anthony Hope) of Springville; Bradeen Walders (Johanna) of Albion; Kyle Baran (Tobias Ragg) of Clarence Center; Alexander Utz (Judge Turpin) of Williamsville; Sean Craig (The Beadle) of Buffalo; Kathleen Macari (Beggar Woman) of Troy; and Jean O'Harrow (Adolfo Pirelli) of Newfane. In addition, theatre performance majors who are in the company of men, women, customers and lunatics include: Matt Dell'Olio of Ontario, New York: Elena Victoria Feliz of Tonawanda; Amanda Funiciello of Baldwinsville; MacKenzie Gildemeyer of Liverpool; Karen Harty of Williamsville; Sabrina Kahwaty of East Amherst; Brett Klaczyk of Angola; Josephine Lazusky of Cochranton, Pennsylvania; Mary Elizabeth Martin of Albion; Matthew Myers of Orchard Park; Colin Reboy of Tonawanda; Shawn Michael Edward Robinson of Buffalo; Russell Wilson of Cheektowaga; and Carly L. Weldy of Elma.

There are multiple ways to purchase tickets for NU Theatre productions: online at http://theatre.niagara.edu/; in person at the box office in the lobby of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall (Monday-Friday 2:30-5:30 p.m., and one hour prior to curtain); call 716-286-8685; or email [email protected]. Voicemail messages and emails are returned as soon as possible.

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