Point Park Univ. Students Launch Carrnivale Theatrics, Stage SWEENEY TODD 7/16

Point Park University junior musical theatre majors Maggie Carr and Justin Fortunato, along with Duquesne University major Bob Neumeyer, recently founded Carrnivale Theatrics, a group of music and theatre majors from local schools who are pooling their talent to raise money for charity. They will stage Sweeney Todd as their premiere production at the New Hazlett Theater, July 16 - 18, 2009. Proceeds benefit the Pittsburgh affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Sweeney Todd cast is comprised of 25 local university students, accompanied by a 15-person student orchestra. Carr is directing and performing; Fortunato is playing Sweeney Todd and Neumeyer is music director. The set is being designed by Tony Ferrieri, lighting by Todd Nonn, and sound by Dave Bjornson. The team is joined by several other Point Park University students: Sarah Wagner, stage manager; Caila Ruggieri, technical director; Robert Clifton, wig and hair design; Steve Larussa, make-up design; and Rich Preffer, scenic artist. Carrnivale Theatrics received funding from an anonymous donor to support the project.

Sweeney Todd is the sordidly entertaining account of barber Benjamin Barker, who returns to Victorian London under the new brooding identity of Sweeney Todd after fifteen years in prison on a trumped-up charge. There, he finds his wife dead and his daughter taken by the very same judge who banished him into exile. Sweeney begins to plot his revenge against the judge, and every man in London.

Carrnivale Theatrics' Sweeney Todd will run July 16 - 18 at the New Hazlett Theater. Performances will be held July 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and July 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show; student rush tickets are available for $10, one half hour prior to curtain. All proceeds go to the Pittsburgh affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tickets can be purchased by calling 412-320-4610 or online at newhazletttheater.org - click on ‘calendar of events' and scroll to Sweeney Todd.

For more information visit www.pittsburghplayhouse.com