A Note from our Director, Joyce Flanagan
Welcome to the Visual and Performing Arts’ musical production of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Last spring as I was preparing to retire from teaching in the Ridgefield Public School System after 35 years, 30 of them at RHS, and I looked at the great potential of singers, actors, orchestra members and crews for the upcoming school year, I knew that Sweeney Todd could be done at RHS. The music is complex (vocal ranges that stretch the best performers), the show contains some adult subject matter, and the physical production requirements can at first seem overwhelming, however our students have done a wonderful job of meeting those challenges and expectations.
Sweeney Todd originally opened on to rave reviews on March 1, 1979, and ran for 558 performances on Broadway. The production won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. There have been two Broadway revivals of the show since then, in 1989 and 2006, numerous national tours, and a film adaptation starring Johnny Depp in 2007.
I want to say thank you to all the parent volunteers, the cast, the pit orchestra and crews for all their time and dedication to the musical. Thank you to the RPS and RHS administration for all their support, and the Ridgefield community who keep coming and filling the house every year.
I especially want to send a huge thank you to the musical production team of adults who spend hours, and yes, months preparing for the show so our students can enjoy this experience to the fullest and remember it for the rest of their lives. Enjoy!
Thank You!
We specifically wish to acknowledge the following adult production team volunteers whose leadership, time, and kindness are most appreciated:
Deirdre Basile ... Volunteer Chair
Paul Gillis & Sue Gillis ... Backstage Food Chairs
Ginger Cutter ... Ticket Sales Chair
Judi Stoogenke, Paul Stoogenke & Therese Papadopoulos ... Auditorium Chairs
Leanne Shofi, Cynthia DiGiacomo ... Spotlight Boards Chairs
Heather Meachem ... Concessions Chair
Paul Stoogenke, Rich Feldman, Joseph Heinzmann ... Photographers
Big thanks go to the following volunteers for assisting us with the comforts of our audience and performers during the shows: Deirdre Basile, Lucy Basile, Karen Brenner, Hillary Brown, Robin Browne, Elizabeth Castle, Maureen Chakraborty, Carolyn Couture, Grace D'Onofrio, Cynthia DiGiacomo, Jane Donnelly, Marianne Ehrlinspiel, Margaret Eustace, Rich Feldman, Mary Ford, Mary Gold, Sharon Hunt, Martha Issokson, Ginny Konopka, Joanna Kutler, Andrew Levine, Arlene Litt, Jacob Litt, Traci Madeson, Maureen McLam, Alison McLoughlin, Lori Neil, Emily Nossan, Jeff Nossan, Jeanine Pardey, Chaitu Parikh, Sheila Parikh, Meg Rapaglia, Sharon Restivo, Tina Schwartz, Megan Searfoss, Ellen Shea, Kylie Shuflata, Mary Staudt, George Uy, Qian Wang, Nancy Watts, Michelle Wishna, Lisa Wroblewski, Maddie Wroblewski, Laura Ye, Andrew Ye.
Many local vendors work with us each year and we gratefully acknowledge the help of the staff at Economy Printing, Value Pak, and Jay Whitney of Whitney Corporate Promotions. We send a big thanks to Pamby Motors for hanging our banner, to our long time supporter Ridgefield Cleaners for donating their services to our costume department and the Searfoss Family for their donation of water for our concession stand. The Costume Directors would also like to extend their thanks to the people at Dee's Costume and the Warner Theater for their assistance. Finally, we thank Phoenix Stage Company of Naugatuck for their help with the Sweeney Todd props.
