There are a few shows that end up on any musical theatre performer's bucket list.
Assassins,
by Stephen Sondheim, is without a doubt one of them...which is why I'm so pleased to be appearing in Pipedream Theatre Project's production of the show, opening next week at Performance Works on Granville Island. I'm featured in the ensemble and also playing Emma Goldman, the radical feminist and anarchist who inspired Leon Czolgosz (played by Dane Warren) to assassinate William McKinley in 1901.
Assassins
first opened Off-Broadway in 1990, and the 2004 Broadway production won five Tony Awards, including Best Revival.
This innovative piece of musical theatre uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to present a revue- style portrayal of nine men and women whoʼve attempted or succeeded to assassinate American Presidents. The rules of time and space are bent, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins from different historical periods, from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, meet, interact and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.
Assassins
examines societal violence and its contributing factors such as social and economic inequality, political corruption, lack of resources and care for the mentally ill, and gun control. It is Pipedreamʼs hope that this show will keep the discussion of these issues open and inspire the kind of critical thinking in our audience that can lead to positive change.
The casting for this show has been nothing less than inspired and all of the performers have been a delight to rehearse with.
Assassins
stars:
Victor Hunter as the Balladeer
Alex Nicoll as John Wilkes Booth
Cameron Dunster as Charles Guiteau
Dane Warren as Leon Czolgosz
Alex Dafoe as Samuel Byck
Kurt Schindelka as Giuseppe Zangara
Ben Bilodeau as John Hinckley
Missy Cross as Lynette 'Squeeky' Fromme
Keri Smith as Sarah Jane Moore
Nikolai Witschl as Lee Harvey Oswald
Matt Hume as the Proprietor
Danielle Lemon
Steffanie Davis
Ryan Scramstad
Martin Story-Kapusta
Eric Biskupski
Produced by Keith Opatovsky
Directed by April Green
Musical Director Kerry O'Donovan
Choreography by Meagan Ekelund
