(NWPR-IN) – Bold, original, surreal, disturbing, thought-provoking and alarmingly funny, “Assassins” is perhaps the most controversial musical ever written music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. It first opened Off-Broadway in 1990, and the 2004 Broadway production won five 2004 Tony Awards.
Opening at the Jay County Civic Theatre in Portland, Indiana on Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 pm, “Assassins” lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical ‘revusical’ that explores the dark side of the American experience.
From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Sondheim and Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish rollercoaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and in an intense final scene inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.
Other performance dates are: October 23, 28, 30 at 7:00 pm, and October 24 and 31 at 2:00 pm. For tickets, call 260.726.4809 or see: www.artsland.org.
Directed by Cain M. Bilbrey, “Assassins” uses the premise of a murderous carnival game with varies of music that reflects the popular music of the eras depicted. Note: This live theater production contains adult language and content. Questions? www.jaycivic.org.