SWEENEY TODD Comes To Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre 5/29-6/7

The murderous barber obsessed with revenge is coming to Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Pierrot Productions presents "Sweeney Todd," the blockbuster musical that explores the darkest corners of human nature. Dates and show times are Fridays and Saturdays, May 29, 30, June 5 and 6 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, May 31 and June 7 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on May 29. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Combining Stephen Sondheim's compelling musical score with the twists, turns and gore of a murder mystery, "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" centers around Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after many years in exile. Barker learns from his new landlady, Mrs. Lovett, that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by Judge Turpin, the magistrate who unjustly sent Todd away. Todd's daughter, the lovely Johanna, now lives in misery as the ward of the evil judge. With the aid of Mrs. Lovett, Todd launches a bloodthirsty campaign to settle the score. None are safe from his wrath. "Sweeny Todd" first came to Broadway in 1979 and garnered numerous Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Many revivals followed, including a 2005 return to Broadway and a 2007 film starring Johnny Depp.

The cast features Patrick Andrae of Jamesburg as Sweeney Todd; John Bergeron of Pennington as Pirelli/Fogg; Tom Bessellieu of Lawrenceville as Beadle; Ethan Fishbane of West Windsor as Tobias; Frank Hughes of Toms River as Anthony; Cathy Liebars of Langhorne, PA, as Lucy; Debbie Lingel of Belle Mead as Johanna; Debbie Schrager of Elkins Park, PA, as Mrs. Lovett; and John Shanken-Kaye of Huntingdon Valley, PA, as Turpin. Ensemble members include Brooke Andrews of Lebanon, Joe Kraher of Bensalem, PA, Margo Mangione of Maple Shade, Robert Rodriguez of Hamilton, Kat Ross of Langhorne, PA, and Eric Wishnie of Morrisville, PA. The show is directed by Peter LaBriola of Pennington, with vocal direction by Pat Masterson of West Amwell and instrumental direction by Jamie Capes of Cranbury.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for students. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. For a listing of shows in Kelsey's summer series, visit the website. (Note: Patrons who purchase the four-show series save over 40% off the single ticket price.)

Photo: The Cast of "Sweeney Todd" includes, from left, Joe Kraher, Margo Mangione, Robert Rodriguez, Kat Ross, Frank Hughes, Debbie Lingel, Cathy Liebars, Patrick Andrae, Debbie Schrager, John Bergeron, Ethan Fishbane, Tom Bellellieu and Eric Wishnie. Not pictured: John Shanken-Kaye and Brooke Andrews. "Sweeney Todd" is presented by Pierrot Productions at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre May 29-June 7. For tickets, call 609-570-3333 or order online at www.kelseytheatre.net.