Jacoby and Murray to Star in Music Circus 'Sweeney'

The Music Circus premiere of "SWEENEY TODD" (July 22 – 27) will star two Tony Award nominees: Mark Jacoby in the title role and Mary GorDon Murray as Mrs. Lovett.  Jacoby co-starred as Judge Turpin in the recent Broadway production of the show.  He was nominated for a Tony for his performance as Ravenal in the Broadway revival of "Show Boat."  He also created the role of Father in the original Broadway production of "Ragtime."  Murray's Music Circus credits include Vi in Footloose (a part she also performed on Broadway), the narrator in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and Babe in "The Pajama Game."  She received a Tony nomination for her performance in "Little Me."  The cast will also include Max von Essen (Music Circus' "Cabaret" and "Jesus Christ Superstar") as the innocent Anthony Hope and Carolann M. Sanita ("A Little Night Music" and "West Side Story") as Sweeney Todd's daughter Johanna.  Michael G. Hawkins, who has appeared in over a dozen Music Circus productions as both a leading man (Adam in "Seven Brides …") and a heavy (Jud in "Oklahoma"), will return as the villainous Judge Turpin.  The production will be directed and choreographed by Glenn Casale, whose many Music Circus productions include "Les Misérables," "Disney' Beauty and the Beast" and "1776."  Casale also directed the Broadway production of "Peter Pan" starring Cathy Rigby.  Dennis Castellano will serve as musical director.

California Musical Theatre is Northern California's premier producer and presenter of musical theatre – the largest nonprofit musical theatre in California.

Since its inception in 1951 under an open-air, circus-style big top, the theatre has grown to become the most successful performing arts organization in California's heartland.  Between the summer Music Circus season and The Broadway Series, California Musical Theatre entertains 300,000 patrons every year.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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