NextStop Takes a Shot at Sondheim's ASSASSINS Next Month

On October 19, NextStop Theatre Company, near Reston Town Center, will open the Tony Award-winning musical "Assassins" by Stephen Sondheim. The darkly comedic show, which depicts presidential assassins throughout American history, has gained relevance of late; the show's themes of anger over the unfulfilled promise of the American dream mirror a deeply divided country. Casting of the much anticipated production, which will play through November 12 in Herndon, has just been announced.

"We started talking about producing this show before Trump was elected, but it was already clear that the political divisions in our country are very real and run very deep," said Producing Artistic Director Evan Hoffmann. "The show is even more relevant now that we see anger and resentment boiling over that was simmering beneath the surface."

With cameos ranging from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, "Assassins" deals with discontent and the place of violence in American culture. Audiences get a taste of several genres of music along with a non-traditional history lesson from one of Broadway's most well-known composers.

"Assassins" is the first in a pair of shows about the Presidency in NextStop's 2017/18 season. The play "45 Plays for 45 Presidents" in January will provide a lighthearted counterpoint to "Assassins" among a season of point and counterpoint productions. Each of six shows are juxtaposed and "paired" with one another with the intention of building community through discussion of opposing views.

The cast will include Andrew Adelsberger ("Charles Guiteau"), Mikey Cafarelli ("John Hinckley, Jr."), Brice Guerriere ("Giuseppe Zangara"), Bobby Libby ("John Wilkes Booth"), Katie McManus ("Sara Jane Moore"), Mackenzie Newbury ("The Proprietor"), John Sygar ("The Balladeer/Oswald"), Daniel Westbrook ("Czolgosz"), Jaclyn Young ("Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme"), and Alex Zavistovich ("Samuel Byck"). Members of the ensemble are Megan Adrielle, Madeline Cuddihy, Jason Hentrich, and Colton Needles.

The production is directed by prominent Washington DC artist Jay D. Brock whose direction of last season's "Eurydice" garnered wide acclaim in the metro area for its haunting performances.

In addition to Brock, the creative team includes Music Director BrYan Lilley, Assistant Director Christie Graham, Set Designer JD Madsen, Costume Designer KrisTina Martin, Lighting Designer Catherine Girardi, Stage Manager Laura Moody, Props Coordinator/Assistant Stage Manager Jade Brooks-Bartlett, Costume Apprentice Marilyn Lopes, Assistant Stage Manager/Sound Mixer/Fight Choreographer Quoc Tran, and Master Electrician Jonathan Abolins.

Performances are Thursdays through Sundays from October 19th to November 12th, 2017. General Admission tickets start at $20 and increase to $60 depending on performance popularity. Tickets are available online at www.NextStopTheatre.org or by calling 866-811-4111. All seating is General Admission. Additional fees may apply. Advance booking is strongly recommended.

Information on how NextStop is using their 2017/18 Season of Shows to build the bonds of community can be found at www.NextStopTheatre.org/Together.

About NextStop Theatre Company:

NextStop Theatre Company is an award-winning professional black box theatre just moments away from Reston Town Center, Historic Downtown Herndon, Dulles Airport, and Wiehle-Reston Metro. The company has established a strong regional reputation for producing critically acclaimed productions and educational programs, while showcasing a wide array of local talent, Broadway headliners, and locally-driven arts relevant to the community.

NextStop Theatre is made possible in part by generous support from the following valued donors: The Town of Herndon, The Ruth & Hal Launders Charitable Trust, The Nelson J. & Katherine Friant Post Foundation, The Arts Council Fairfax County, The Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, and NextStop's loyal patron donors.

NextStop's 2017/18 Season is sponsored by AutoScandia.

Photo by Lock & Company

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