Rep Stage Launches Season With SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Rep Stage, the professional regional theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), opens its 26th season with "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," directed and choreographed by Joseph W. Ritsch with music direction by Stacey Antoine. Set in modern-day East London, this production of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler Tony Award-winning musical thriller features a diverse ensemble of eight and a chamber orchestra of keyboard, violin, and woodwinds.

The road to revenge leads Sweeney Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up for more. "Sweeney Todd" sparkles with brilliant wit, diabolical humor, and extraordinary music. Sondheim's score features such memorable song as "The Worst Pies in London," "Pretty Women," "Not While I'm Around," and "Johanna."

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" opens September 6, 2018, with a limited run through September 23 in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland. There will be post-show discussions on September 9 and 21. Rep Stage will also hold a pre-show lecture prior to the 2 p.m. performance on September 22.

Tickets are $40 for general admission, $35 for seniors and the military, and $15 for students with a current ID. Thursdays are $10 performances. For tickets and additional information, visit www.repstage.org or call the box office at 443-518-1500.

CAST
V. Savoy McIlwain*: Sweeney Todd
Jade Antoinette Jones*: Mrs. Lovett
Nigel Reed*: Judge Turpin
Suzanne Lane**: Johanna
Noah Israel**: Anthony Hope
Benjamin Lurye*: The Beadle
Justine Icy Moral*: Beggar Woman/Pirelli/Jonas Fogg
John Taos Foster: Tobias Ragg

ARTISTIC TEAM
Music and Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Book by: Hugh Wheeler
Directed and Choreographed by: Joseph W. Ritschv
Musical Direction: Stacey Antoine
Set Design: Joseph W. Ritsch
Associate Set Design: Mollie Singer
Lighting Design: Conor Mulligan++
Sound Design: Mark Smedley
Costume Design: Sarah Cubbage++
Properties Design: Joseph W. Ritsch and Seth Schwartz
Stage Manager: Julie DeBakey Smith*
Assistant Stage Manager: Amanda Reandeau**

* Members Actor's Equity Association
** Equity Membership Candidate
++ Member of United Scenic Artists, IATSE
vMember of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

Rep Stage, the professional regional theatre in residence at Howard Community College, is celebrating its 26th season. Led by Producing Artistic Director Joseph W. Ritsch, Rep Stage produces engaging and evocative contemporary American classics and new works. Rep Stage is dedicated to collaborating with regional artists in its commitment to bringing richly diverse work to audiences. Recognized as a professional Washington, DC metropolitan area theatre company by Theatre Washington, Rep Stage has a proud history of Helen Hayes Award-winning productions and nominations. The theatre is a member of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance and Theatre Communications Group. Performances are made possible by Howard Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, Howard County and Maryland state governments, and generous individual donors.