Lakeland honors Stephen Sondheim with production of his classic musical ASSASSINS
Posted: January 24, 2022
Lakeland’s Civic Theatre program will present the musical ASSASSINS Feb. 4-20, 2022, in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center. The center is located on the first floor of the D-Building on Lakeland’s campus at 7700 Clocktower Dr, Kirtland, Ohio.
Tickets are available for sale online only at lakelandcc.edu/arts. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, and $7 for students. Guests should bring their order confirmation to show at the door.
Play dates and times: Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 6, 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.
ASSASSINS, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, is based on an idea by Charles Gilbert Jr. It is being presented through special arrangement by Music Theater International. The play’s first Broadway production was in 2004, and it has garnered many Tony Awards over the years.
This sinisterly humorous musical takes a journey through the dark side of the American dream, as it explores the lives of nine people who either killed or tried to kill one of the Presidents of the United States. Dr. Martin Friedman, known for his passion for Sondheim musicals, directs the play, which is the 10th production of a Sondheim musical he has presented at Lakeland. Of this production, Friedman says, “Often times, Sondheim said that ASSASSINS represents the perfect example of a well-constructed play. I have found that this Sondheim and Weidman play demands retelling as many times as possible, especially now.”
As an added feature to this production, there will be post-play discussions hosted by Lakeland’s professor Greg Truhan and members of the James Garfield Alliance. Truhan is the program director of Lakeland’s criminal justice program, a former police officer and retired senior special agent with the United States Secret Service (USSS). He has long been a fan of the play and says, “An important component of my Secret Service training was spent analyzing successful and attempted assassins, so the characters are very familiar to me. Although partly fictional, both the play’s dialogue and song lyrics are based mostly on historical facts gathered from verse, journal excerpts, courtroom testimony and other records and documents in which theassassins, in their own words, attempted to explain what led them to commit their crimes. In some instances, direct quotes are utilized, so the production is an excellent example of ‘Art Imitating Life.’"
ABOUT LAKELAND CIVIC THEATRE
Lakeland Civic Theatre produces shows where members of the community can enjoy exceptional play productions that range in themes from classical literature to the avant-garde, famed musicals to beloved comedies. Performers can include equity actors, community members and students. These professional productions take place in the 400-seat Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, where every seat has a great view of the stage and the feel of an intimate theater setting.
In addition to productions, Lakeland's theater program also offers classes that include the following: two survey courses in the history of theater; and classes in voice and movement, scene study, set construction, and lighting and sound. Students are afforded opportunities to perform in the Lakeland Civic Theatre or be a part of the production crew, where they gain a great deal of hands-on work experience using state-of-the-art technology.
Lakeland's faculty is drawn from the ranks of professional actors/directors and those who currently work in radio and television broadcasting.
ABOUT LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
For more than 50 years, Lakeland Community College has impacted thousands of lives through learning. Founded in 1967, Lakeland was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to its mission, the college provides quality learning opportunities to nearly 8,000 credit students to meet the needs of the community at its campus in Kirtland and online.
Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, Lakeland offers more than 140 associate degree and certificate programs that may lead to high-demand careers or transfer to four-year institutions. The college also provides access to bachelor’s, graduate and doctorate degrees along with certificates and endorsements, as well as lifelong learning opportunities, on campus through the Holden University Center of Lakeland, in partnership with 12 four-year institutions.