A Talented Team Of Youngsters Brings The Bloody, Worldwide Success Of Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD SCHOOL EDITION To Patio Playhouse

Patio Playhouse Youth Theater is proud to present the school edition of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street appearing through April 8th at the intimate Kalmia and Grand theater. Sweeney Todd, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is darkly witty and, in its original Broadway premiere, was awarded eight Tony Awards (including Best Musical). Since then, the show has become a worldwide success and this school edition adaptation, presented by Patio Playhouse's talented youth, is a treat to behold!

This dark musical tells the tale of Sweeney Todd, a nineteenth-century barber who has been exiled unfairly after having been framed by a corrupt local judge in order to take advantage of Todd's wife. Upon his return to London, a vengeance-fueled Todd meets the Mrs. Lovett, a baker who runs a local, faltering pie shop downstairs of Sweeney Todd's new barbershop. Working together, the duo find a new, spooky ingredient to add into her meat pies... which quickly become the pride of London.

Patio's production of this beloved musical stars a troupe of talented young performers, aptly led by Zane Stewart (Sweeney Todd) and Sierra Weis (Mrs. Lovett). The show also features Gabe Rasmussen (Judge Turpin), Karen Nolte (Beadle Bamford), Luis Sherlinee (Anthony Hope), Catalina Colby (Johanna Barker), Michael Moreau (Tobias Ragg), Kaivan Mohsenzadeh (Adolfo Pirelli), Lillian Broschart (Beggar Woman), and Ni'Shelle Evans, Rayne Gonzalez, Jenna Heidemann, Dylan Lally, Belle Morelock, Christian Reyes, and Paige Townsend rounding out the ensemble.

Patio Playhouse's Sweeney Todd School Edition, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is proud to be partnering with Patio Playhouse's own Youth Theater Acting Academy for the duration of the production. Patio Playhouse Youth Theater productions are always free from audition to curtain, and the theater is proud to have produced over 80 youth plays and musicals but as an additional enrichment opportunity, Patio Playhouse also hosts a summer Acting Academy, a day camp for young kids (age 6-14) to learn about theater and to get a chance to perform. This week-long program trains participants in audition preparation, stage presence, singing, learning choreography, character development, and improv. The program ends with a Talent Revue that is open to friends and families. Any donations collected during the run of the show will help to provide scholarship funds so that more local Escondido youth are able to participate in this valuable arts camp. Patio Playhouse is also a partner of the San Diego Theatre Connection, a group that fosters and supports service opportunities between arts organizations and nonprofit partners around San Diego County; the San Diego Theatre Connection can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Tickets: Performances of Sweeney Todd School Edition, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will begin on Friday, March 23 and continue through Sunday, April 8 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and for Sunday matinees. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening performances are at 7 p.m. with afternoon performances on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. The theater will be dark on April 1st in observance of the holiday. All shows will be presented at Patio Playhouse, located at 116 South Kalmia Street, Escondido (between Vinz Wine Bar and Continental Deli). Tickets for this production are available for the cost of $17 for Adults over the age of 17 and $13 for Youth 16 and under. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For reservations, contact the Patio Playhouse box office at 760-746-6669, via email, or via the website at www.patioplayhouse.com. Directed by Laurissa Rudgers. Produced by Brenda Townsend. Music Direction by Emily Awkerman.

About the Company: Patio Playhouse is Escondido's only community theater. Established in 1967, the playhouse is located in the heart of Escondido near the intersection of Kalmia and Grand. Patio Playhouse presents a full season of musicals, dramas, and comedies but is also known for its unique fee-free youth theater, which produces several shows a year while introducing live theatre to children through performance/crew opportunities and school performances. Last year alone, Patio Playhouse adult and youth productions took home 10 different Aubrey Awards (awarded at an annual ceremony by the San Diego Association of Community Theatres). Patio also presents a summer season called Patio Plays in the Park, where patrons can enjoy an evening of musical theater under the stars at Kit Carson Amphitheater. This year, the theater is proud to present Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, and In the Heights. Patio Playhouse is an independent, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To find out more about Patio Playhouse, please visit www.patioplayhouse.com or find us on social media.

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