March 9, 2012
OUR 10th SEASON!
"SWEENEY TODD – THE MUSICAL" APRIL 12-29, 2012
OFF CENTER THEATRE, CROWN CENTER
Musical Theater Heritage is proud to present 15 performances of SWEENEY TODD, starring local favorites and theater veterans
Don Richard & Cathy Barnett, with a cast of 18 people. This is MTH's 10th season, and they are thrilled to be professionally
presenting this musical masterpiece for the first time ever in Kansas City.
Winner of 8 Tony Awards, SWEENEY TODD tells the story of Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after 15
years of being imprisoned on false charges. When he learns from his former landlady, Mrs. Lovett that his young wife
poisoned herself, and that his daughter Johanna was kidnapped by the judge who wrongly imprisoned him, he vows revenge. With
clever music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a compelling book by Hugh Wheeler, this musical is perfectly blended to
provide an incredibly powerful evening of theater.
Artistic Director, Sarah Crawford who has directed and music directed nearly all of MTH's productions over the past 4 years
says, "Whenever you take a well-known, beloved musical like SWEENEY TODD and transform it into our unique format it's an
adventure. The result is often magical. Our intimate, stripped-down style serves the heart of the musical, the script and
score to our audience on a silver platter. Many would consider SWEENEY to be Sondheim's greatest and most complicated work,
but we have a particularly strong cast to take on this material with Don and Cathy at the helm."
MTH Executive Producer, Chad Gerlt agrees. "I believe one of the biggest keys to our success is finding the right talent for
each show," he says. "SWEENEY is a difficult score and will require excellent performers. Sarah does a great job casting
and always seems to find the absolute right people to play each part. I'm very excited about this cast."
That excitement starts with Don Richard, a Kansas City native who will be playing the role of Sweeney Todd. Don has appeared
in several Broadway shows and national tours, including original Broadway casts of JANE EYRE, URINETOWN, and 2,600 touring
performances of WICKED. But Don cut his theatrical teeth in Kansas City, appearing with every major theater in town. Don
left KC over 10 years ago, and is excited to be returning home to appear in his dream role as SWEENEY TODD.
Local favorite Cathy Barnett will be playing the role of Mrs. Lovett. Cathy has performed in national tours (FORBIDDEN
BROADWAY, FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD, and ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE), and she is a wildly popular performer in Kansas City. Cathy is
known for her comedic timing, and will no doubt bring wonderful life to Mrs. Lovett. (Continues)
The rest of SWEENEY's 18-member cast includes: Mark Poppleton, Julie Shaw, Katie Karel, Jacob Aaron Cullum, Brian LaFave,
Nathan Bovos, Brittanie Bagby, Jeff Berger, Shelby Floyd, Adam Henry, Samn Wright, Ashley Wheat, Nathan Whitson, Sarah
Dothage, Rachel Pallante, & Eleanor Hill, and a seven-member orchestra led by Jeremy Watson on piano.
Musical Theater Heritage has built a reputation producing big, classic musicals in their
"in-concert" style, and has garnished many local awards over the past few years. Their productions of Big River in 2009
received "Best Production of the Year", and 1776 was named the "Best Musical Revival in KC" in 2010.
Fascinating, pre-show talks are usually given by Executive Director, George Harter (host of the "A Night on the Town" radio
series). But what make MTH productions stand out are their large talented casts who bring to life these musicals in the
intimate space of the Off Center Theatre at Crown Center.
SWEENEY TODD runs April 12-29. Performances are Thursdays@7pm, Fridays@8pm, Saturdays@2pm & 8pm, and Sundays@2pm. For
tickets call the American Heartland Theater box office at (816) 842-9999 or visit www.MTHKC.com. For more information about
SWEENEY TODD and other MTH productions, contact Chad Gerlt at (816) 221-6987. Chad@musicaltheaterheritage.com.
www.MTHKC.com
Musical Theater Heritage - a 501(c)3 arts organization
1800 Central, Suite #101 Kansas City, MO 64108
Box Office: (816) 842-9999 Business Office: (816) 221-6987 fax (816) 221-6997
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