A musical 'cut' above the rest

MusicalFare Theatre will be presenting Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" beginning Wednesday, Jan. 9, and running through Feb. 10.

Sophisticated, macabre, visceral and uncompromising, "Sweeney Todd" mixes intense drama with howlingly funny moments of dark humor. Audiences will find themselves laughing hysterically one moment and gasping in surprise the next.

"Sweeney Todd" is the first musical in a three year retrospective of Stephen Sondheim musicals planned at MusicalFare.

The production, directed by Randall Kramer, stars John Fredo, Lisa Ludwig and Philip Farugia, Kurt Guba, Christopher M. Howard, Eliza Hayes Maher, Loraine O'Donnell, Tom Owen, Debbie Pappas and Robert E. Tucker. "Sweeney Todd" is choreographed by Kathy Weese, with musical direction by Nathan Matthews. Lighting and sound design is by Chris Cavanagh, set design is by Chris Schenk and costume design is by Olivia Ebsary.

The production opens at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. There will be a special "half-price preview" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Regular performances are 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Meet-the-cast talkbacks take place after all Wednesday performances except opening night.

Tickets are $30 for Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday and Sunday matinees, and $34 for Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets are available by calling 839-8540 or online at www.musicalfare.com.

MusicalFare Theatre is located on the Daemen College Campus at 4380 Main St., Amherst.