MTSU Opera, under the musical direction of Raphael Bundage, MTSU choral and opera coordinator, will present three performances of the Stephen Sondheim stage musical, Sweeney Todd, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31, and again at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in the Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus.
In addition to the three main performances, a matinee will be performed Friday, Oct. 31, for several local school groups.
“I couldn’t think of a more appropriate time to mount such a production as over the Halloween weekend,” Bundage said.
Christopher Bond based Sweeney Todd, the demon Barber of Fleet Street, on the 1973 play of the same name. Its storyline focuses on a vengeful man who tries to murder as many people as he can. Together with character Mrs. Lovett, they successfully sell the victims in meat pies.
John Kramar will serve as the stage director for the production, with Jimmie Lou Tate choreographing and Trish Clark providing costume design. Justin Durham will be the set designer for the musical.
“Many universities and opera companies across the country have been attracted to Sweeney Todd for its dramatic and musical challenges, and it has now become standard repertory,” Bundage said.
“I’m very proud of the students’ work in this production,” he added. “We have many talented students here in the MTSU School of Music (and so) we have been able to double cast several of the roles.”
The title role of Sweeney will be performed by MTSU junior music major David St. Charles (Friday, both shows) and MTSU sophomore music major Scott Willis (Thursday/Saturday).
Bundage noted that both St. Charles and Willis are alumni of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.
“St. Charles’ most recent roles were that of Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute last spring and Snug the Lion in Benjamin Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Bundage said.
Regarding Murfreesboro native Willis, Bundage remarked that this is his first starring role and he is a 2007 graduate of Riverdale High School.
“He has been seen in many performances around the Rutherford County and Cannon County areas,” he added.
General admission is $10 per person. For advanced reservations, please call Bundage at 615-898-2849 Tickets also will also be available at the door prior to each performance. |
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