Cygnet Theatre's SWEENEY TODD Begins Previews 3/18

Preview performances of Cygnet Theatre's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street begin this Thursday, March 18th at 7:30pm. The beloved murderous musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, joins the list of other Sondheim works already produced or produced in staged-readings on Cygnet's stages. Co-Directed by Cygnet Artistic Director Sean Murray and Resident Artist James Vasquez, Sweeney Todd runs March 18th through April 25th, 2010 at Cygnet's Old Town Theatre. Press Opening is March 27th at 8pm.

In only its Second Season, Cygnet Theatre began a love affair with Stephen Sondheim, producing a staged-reading of the darkly comedic Assassins. A 2007 staged reading of Sondheim's sprawling A Little Night Music on Cygnet's intimate Rolando stage convinced Artistic Director Sean Murray that it was time to take Sondheim to full production despite size and budget challenges. Cygnet's move to the Old Town Stage providEd Murray an opportunity to see A Little Night Music through to a grander production, all while enmeshed in major fund raising and construction of the new space. The production was rewarded solidly with sold-out houses and a San Diego Critics Circle Award to Sean Murray for directing, as well as a Patte Award to the Night Music Ensemble. In 2009, Cygnet remounted a staged-reading fundraiser of Sondheim's Assassins. It played to a sold-out house on the Old Town Stage and reaffirmed not only Murray's love of Sondheim, but Cygnet audiences' as well.

Now, on the very week of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday, Cygnet's production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opens in previews with all the bells and whistles Artistic Director Sean Murray had envisioned. The first rate cast of actors includes Jacob Caltrider (The History Boys, A Christmas Carol) as Anthony, Geno Carr (Cygnet's Assassins reading 2009) as The Beadle, Sarah Cuc as the Birdseller, Steve Gunderson as Judge Turpin, Trevor Hollingsworth (A Little Night Music, It's A Wonderful Life) as Jonas Fogg, Ashley Fox Linton as Johanna, Cynthia Marty as the Beggar Woman, Kürt Norby (Cygnet's Assassins reading 2009) as Pirelli, Tom Zohar (The History Boys, The Little Foxes) as Tobias and Lamb's Players Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Deborah Gilmour Smyth as Mrs. Lovett. In the title role, Cygnet Theatre's Artistic Director Sean Murray tackles the infamous Sweeney Todd.

Cygnet's production will also feature the musical talents of Charlie Reuter who serves as Musical Director and plays Piano/Keyboard, Diana Elledege on Cello, Dave Rumley on Percussion, Manny Castro on Brass and Joseph Howell on Woodwind. The top notch production team includes the co-direction of Artistic Director Sean Murray and Resident Artist James Vasquez, Set Design by Sean Fanning, Lighting Design by Eric Lotze, Sound Design by Matt Lescault-Wood, Properties Design by Bonnie L. Durben, Costume Design by Shirley Pierson and Wig and Makeup Design by Peter Herman.

When asked about his love of Sondheim and interest in producing Sondheim's musicals Murray answered, "He's an intelligent lyricist who writes like the best playwrights. His stories have every element of the stories Cygnet is interested in telling. They're entertaining, stimulating, thought-provoking and character driven."

During the run of Sweeney Todd, Cygnet will treat its audience to another, lesser-known Sondheim work with an April 12th and 13th two-night, concert staged-reading of Passion. The production will be directed by Kim Strassburger and will feature Sandy Campbell, Jason Heil and Jim Chovick. Passion is notable for being the only other show, apart from Sweeney Todd that Stephen Sondheim himself conceived. (Stay tuned for more info!)

Performances of Sweeney Todd are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm on Cygnet's Old Town Stage located at 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Tickets are $27 - $46. Discounts are available for seniors, students and military.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or calling the box office at 619-337-1525. Tickets can also be purchased in person by visiting Cygnet's box office located at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

WHAT: Cygnet Theatre presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

WHERE: Cygnet Theatre - The Old Town Stage
4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

WHO: Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Based on the play by Christopher Bond

Co-Director: Sean Murray Co-Director: James Vasquezº
Musical Director: Charlie Reuter Set Design: Sean Fanning
Costume Design: Shirley Pierson Lighting Design: Eric Lotzeº
Sound Design: Matt Lescault-Woodº Properties Design: Bonnie Durbenº
Wig and Makeup Design: Peter Hermanº Dramaturge: Kim Strassburger
Stage Manager: RosaLee Barrientos*º Asst. Stage Manager: Heather Brose*

CAST: Jacob Caltrider (Anthony Hope)
Geno Carr* (The Beadle)
Sarah Cuc (Birdseller)
Steve Gunderson* (Judge Turpin)
Trevor Hollingsworth (Jonas Fogg)
Ashley Fox Linton* (Johanna)
Cynthia Marty* (Beggar Woman)
Sean Murray (Sweeney Todd)
Kürt Norby* (Pirelli)
Deborah Gilmour Smyth (Mrs. Lovett)
Tom Zohar (Tobias Radd)
* Member of Actors Equity Association, °Resident Artist

MUSICIANS:
Manny Castro (Brass)
Diana Elledge (Cello)
Joseph Howell (Woodwinds)
Charlie Reuter (Piano and Keyboards)
Dave Rumley (Percussions)

DATES: Previews begin: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Press Opening: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Closes: Sunday, April 25, 2010

Performance Schedule
Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30pm.
Friday at 8:00pm
Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

PRICES: Range from $17-$49
Previews: $27(Section A) / $17(Section B)
Wednesday and Sunday Evenings: $43(Section A) / $33(Section B)
Thursday, Friday Evenings and Sunday Matinees: $46(Section A) / $36(Section B)
Saturday Evenings: $49(Section A) / $39(Section B)
(Discounts are available for children, seniors, students, active-duty military and groups)

HOW: Phone: (619) 337-1525
Online: www.cygnettheatre.com
In Person: Old Town Theatre - 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110