Street Theatre Company to Stage ASSASSINS This Spring

Coming off of its tremendously successful season opener IN THE HEIGHTS, Street Theatre Company stages its second show of the 2016 season, the hilarious and thought­provoking musical ASSASSINS. With music and lyrics by the one and only Stephen Sondheim (SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS), the production opened Off Broadway before moving to London's West End. The show created such a buzz that it reopened in New York, this time on Broadway, where it won multiple Tony and Drama Desk awards.

Jason Tucker will direct the musical this summer, the first show under his direction as Street Theatre Company's new Artistic Director. "I chose ASSASSINS, along with IN THE HEIGHTS, as a way of showing Nashville the kind of theater they can expect from STC moving forward," says Tucker. "Street has always been about cutting edge, but it's also about challenging our audience, prompting thought, and sharing in a conversation. ASSASSINS asks an audience to engage and consider in a very compelling way."

Indeed, the musical creates a uniquely fascinating story. With a book by John Weidman and based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr., ASSASSINS centers around the men and women who attempted (successfully or not) to assassinate United States Presidents. The story unfolds through Sondheim's brilliant revue­style music that changes styles based on the eras in which the assassinations occur. "Nashville is central to a lot of America's history, both dark and light," says Tucker, who directed BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, a musical about Tennessee native Andrew Jackson's not­so­charming history, on STC's stage last year. "Nashvillians have suffered as much as any Americans under the brutal choices made by our most notorious killers."

ASSASSINS promises to make its audience laugh out loud, but perhaps more importantly, it promises to challenge its audience. "ASSASSINS asks us to simply consider what might lead a normal American to commit such a grand and violent act," says Tucker. Street Theatre, as always, has assembled a truly spectacular cast, and under the Music Direction of STC favorite Randy Craft, they'll be singing one of Sondheim's most perfect musical theater scores.

If IN THE HEIGHTS was any indication of where Tucker plans to take Street Theatre Company, Nashville can expect a few things in particular from the Theatre as it moves forward: expertly told stories by the world's best musical writers, solidly beautiful performances, and a quickly sold out house.

ASSASSINS is at Street Theatre company, currently in residence at Holy Trinity Community Church* (6727 Charlotte Pike), May 20 through June 5. The show is rated PG­13 for strong language and adult themes. Parental guidance and discretion is encouraged. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for students and seniors, and Thursdays are Pay­What­You­Can. Tickets are available by contacting the box office at (615) 554­7414 or by visiting www.streettheatrecompany.org.

*Holy Trinity Community Church is in no way affiliated with Street Theatre Company or this production. This production is supported in part through Metro Nashville Arts Commission and Tennessee Arts Commission.

Pictured: Taylor Kelly, Corinne Bupp, Jordan Ravelette, Patrick Kramer, Evan Williams, Mike Baum, Sara Catherine Wheatley, Curtis Reed, and Jack Chambers. Photo by Kenn Stilger, Heavenly Perspective Photography.

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