Cygnet Theatre to Return to Sondheim with ASSASSINS, 3/14-4/28

Cygnet Theatre will continue its 10th Anniversary Season by presenting Stephen Sondheim's thought-provoking and alarmingly funny musical Assassins. Assassins is set to perform March 14th through April 28th, 2013, at Cygnet's Old Town Theatre. Press Opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd 2013.

Artistic Director Sean Murray has had a long-time love affair with Sondheim's tricky musical scores, and Assassins has topped his wish list of productions. Cygnet has previously staged award-winning productions of A Little Night Musicand Sweeney Todd. Assassins, with book by John Weidman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is a uniquely dark and funny musical which explores the motives and inner workings of nine individuals who assassinated or attempted to assassinate the President of the United States. This off-kilter exploration of the American Dream has been presented as staged readings by Cygnet Theatre and received raves from Cygnet audiences. Murray is pleased to direct and bring a full production to the stage during Cygnet's 10th Season.

The musical first opened Off-Broadway in 1990, and the 2004 Broadway production won five Tony Awards. It uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to produce a revue-style portrayal of nine stories that span decades. The cast includes such notorious characters as John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.

A live orchestra, featuring six musicians, will be directed by Patrick Marion.

Performances for Assassins are March 14th through April 28th, 2013. Show times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 619-337-1525, online at Cygnet Theatre or by visiting the Box Office at 4040 Twiggs St. Discounts are available for students, active-duty military, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

Ten years since taking flight, Cygnet Theatre has grown into San Diego's fifth largest theatre company and become known for producing adventurous, entertaining and thought-provoking live professional theater year round. Cygnet presents at least six main stage productions annually, ranging from classics and musicals to contemporary works that celebrate the human story at the recently renovated, state-of the-art Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sean Murray and Executive Director Bill Schmidt, Cygnet has won more than 100 local awards for artistic excellence, including Theatre of the Year, Producer of the Year and multiple Best Production awards. In addition, Cygnet Theatre is committed to education outreach, new play development and community collaborations. For more information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.

Photo Credit: Rich Soublet II