The Alternative Press

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ - The West Essex High School Masquers, this weekend, will present “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” under the direction of the school’s Choral Director Christa Sorrentino. Greg Contaldi and Angela Romano will be assisting with direction. 

A “story of revenge and how it consumes a vengeful person,” is how Stephen Sondheim has described “Sweeney Todd.” He has stated, "What the show is really about is obsession."

Monday night the stage actors and crew held a dress rehearsal; Mark Mascera, a senior from Roseland, enacted his part as Pirelli in a scene with Tobias, played by Matt DeFazio, a freshman from Fairfield.

Mark Mascera, Matt DeFazio  Credit: Allison Freeman

The Masquers describe the play as a “rare instance of a musical thriller.” Their website describes the production as a “chilling, suspenseful, heart-pounding masterpiece of murderous barber-ism and culinary crime” which “tells the infamous tale of the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. His thirst for blood soon expands to include his unfortunate customers, and the resourceful proprietress of the pie shop downstairs soon has the people of London lining up in droves with her mysterious new meat pie recipe!”

While the original Stephen Sondheim interpretation of the macabre libretto by Hugh Wheeler is considered graphic to the extent that murders are performed on stage, this high school edition is a tamer “PG” version with most of the violent action occurring offstage, and all foul language removed. This special edition has been adapted directly with Sondheim to retain the music and scope of the original work. 

Students warmed up their voices before the dress rehearsal of “Sweeney Todd” while wearing the ornate costumes which were originally used in a New York City Opera production of the show. Performers included ensemble members Tess Dyer, a freshman from Roseland, junior Geena Martorana of Fairfield and Alina Guiang, a junior from Fairfield.

Left to right, front row: Matt DeFazio, Tess Dyer, Geena Martorana and Alina Guiang  Credit: Allison Freeman

The complete cast list is as follows:

• Sweeney Todd - Mitchell Epstein
• Mrs. Lovett - Marisa Malanga
• Judge Turpin - Cameron Perez
• The Beadle - Anderson Wang
• Pirelli - Mark Mascera
• Anthony Hope - Joey Lavarco
• Beggar Woman - Sarah Mason
• Johanna - Jacqueline Thomas
• Tobias - Matt Defazio

Mitchell Epstein, a sophomore from North Caldwell, who was cast in the lead role of Sweeney Todd the barber, was ready to give Pirelli, played by Mascera, “a shave” in the dress rehearsal for “Sweeney Todd” Monday night.
Credit: Allison Freeman

Ensemble:

• Soprano 2/2nd Woman - Katie Aussenheimer
• Tenor/2nd Man/Officer - Lucas Brendel
• Soprano 1/1st Woman - Jenna Cecere
• Soprano 2 - Blake Chamberlain
• Baritone/1st Man - Greg Contaldi
• Soprano 1 or 2 - Meg Doelp
• Alto 1/Soloist - Tess Dyer
• Tenor/Soloist/Man with Cap (Anthony U/S) - Daniel Ganton
• Bass/Soloist/Officer - Kenneth Gonzalez
• Soprano 1/Passer-by - Alina Guiang
• Tenor/Soloist/3rd Man - Kyle Keegan
• Alto 1 - Jennifer Kuscin
• Alto 1 - Christa Luzzi
• Alto 2/Soloist - Geena Martorana
• Alto 1 - Taylor Pierce
• Alto 2/3rd Woman - Angela Romano
• Bass/Soloist/4th man - Stephen Schmidt
• Baritone/Soloist/5th man/Mr. Fogg - Matt Sigler
• Bass/Soloist/Bird Seller - Matt Uhlendorf

Roseland senior Joey LaVarco, playing Anthony Hope, rehearsed a romantic scene with Jacqueline Thomas, a freshman from Roseland, as Johanna.

Credit: Allison Freeman

Assistant Directors

• Greg Contaldi
• Angela Romano

Marisa Malanga, a senior from North Caldwell who is playing the part of Mrs. Lovett, practiced a scene with the Beggar Woman, played by Sarah Mason, a freshman from North Caldwell, at the rehearsal.

Credit: Allison Freeman

Crew Managers

• Coordinating Stage Manager (floating) - Luisa Petho
• Stage Left - Lydia Rosmarin
• Stage Right - Grace Ward
• Props Manager - Marissa London
• Assistant Props Manager - Gina Stagnitto
• Makeup/Costumes - Kate Coulter
• Assistant Technical Director - Joe Abate
• House Manager/Lighting Supervisor - Christopher Plunkett
• Sound Supervisor - Jason Ajmo
• Backstage Technical Manager - Vincent Iannone

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will be performed by the Masquers in the High School Auditorium. Show times are as follows:

• Thursday, March 21
  Doors open at 7pm
  Curtain will rise at 7:30pm
   
• Friday, March 22
  Doors open at 7pm
  Curtain will rise at 7:30pm
   
• Saturday, March 23
  Doors open at 7pm
  Curtain will rise at 7:30pm

Tickets  can be purchased online here or by calling (973) 228-1200 ext. 245. Pricing information:

• In Advance:
  $15 - Adults
  $12 - Students, Seniors, Children
   
• At the door:
  $18 - Adults
  $15 - Students, Seniors, Children

According to their website, Masquers of West Essex is an after-school Theatrical Productions club. Students are exposed to the hands-on creation of a theatrical production from inception to closing night. Students can be involved both onstage and backstage as part of the cast and the many crews including stage, set, technical, costume, hair and makeup. Casting for productions is based on a non-biased, open audition in front of a panel of faculty. All students are welcome to audition and participate on crew.

Malanga, playing the part of Mrs. Lovett, posed with Epstein, who plays the lead role of Sweeney Todd.

Credit: Allison Freeman


For further information:
West Essex High School and Middle School
65 West Greenbrook Road
North Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-1200
Email
Website
Facebook Page:  West Essex Regional School District