theater Archives - Jen is on a Journey

In collaboration with 4^th Walrus Productions, a collective of theater artists from Stanford University bringing new musical theater to millennials and larger Bay Area audiences, the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, an organization focused on supporting youth in professional theatre, is producing Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Opening night will take place July 16, 2015 at 8pm at the Exit Theatre on Eddy Street in San Francisco.

Musical Director Joel Chapman says, “Our Sweeney Todd is different. The set is minimal, the chorus and orchestra are small, and the audience will be immersed in the action. We have boiled down the show to its most pertinent elements, and this intimacy is what I am most excited about.”

In the adaptation by Christopher Bond, this infamous tale is about an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking vengeance against a lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up, and the carnage has only just begun! Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in SF July 16-25 @BAT_Co #SupporTheArts #SFBatco

The Sweeney Todd crew features Rodney E. Jackson Jr. (Book of Mormon, Motown the Musical), who is also SFBATCO’s Co-Chair and Art Director, who states, “ “Theatre, arts, and creation are the reason why I’m not simply another statistic you see on the news.”

Full Performance Schedule

8pm

Thursday, July 16
Friday, July 17
Thursday, July 23
Friday, July 24

3pm and 8pm

Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 25

Come Support The Arts! Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1756484.

About SFBATCO

SFBATCO’s mission is to create quality professional theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily drawing upon a repertory of local artists. Our goal is to produce diverse, challenging, and engaging projects that enrich the community and create professional and educational opportunities. SFBATCO is taking action to make theatre accessible to the Bay Area community by providing affordable public performances and collaborating with youth serving organizations to build a more vibrant arts scene in San Francisco.

Often when you think about vacationing in Maui, going to a theater production isn’t first on your list of items to experience. “Ulalena, a Story of Hawaii’s People” is a magnificent stage play at The Maui Theater in Lahaina town, once inside you feel like you are on Broadway or even a Las Vegas venue experiencing such a dramatic and amazing show.

There is a wind and rain particular to Maui that rises at twilight. It whispers of other places and other times, both mythic and real. It blows between daylight and night, between times and worlds. It is hopeful and cleansing. The ancient Hawaiian name for this wind is ‘Ulalena. It is also the name of the newest and most amazing stage production to come from Hawai‘i in decades. The power of this production is that it is both universal and intimate. It is born from a mythology populated by beings larger than life representing a natural landscape alive with volcanoes, vast oceans and primeval rainforests. The story begins with the mythical creation of the islands and rolls through successive waves of voyagers who have found their way to these shores. From the first Polynesians to the early European explorers, and finally to us …

Drawing from the history and legend of the Hawaiian Islands the performance includes a unique mixture of hula, modern dance, percussion with fantastic lighting and stage effects. Not to mention the Moon and Lizard Goddesses that spun in the “moon” and weaved in and out of fabric with the most agile acrobatics I’ve ever seen. We have relatively little experience with the performing arts and theater and this show has inspired us to stretch our entertainment horizons. We were awestruck with the beautiful lighting and sets, captivated by the rumble of our seats by the percussion, visible high on the right of the stage.

The theater can hold near 700 guests and each seat is fantastic. The creative art lining the walls just outside the auditorium comes to life when the actors walk up and down the aisles mimicking the swimming fishes. The 9 scene show uses little words, but expresses life, ocean, waterfall, inhabitance, death, monarchy, and forces of nature through the amazing expression, the wonderful lights through the screens, dancing, chants, and sound. It’s honestly so hard to put into words, the experience is one that leaves you amazed.

Women sitting near us were overheard saying, “this is my 6th time seeing the show!” and I hear it is one that can be repeated and enjoyed over and over. Dinner packages are available that also include time with the cast post-show. We were pleasantly fascinated by the experience and recommend it. It is family friendly, but adults, couples, and mature children would benefit most.

We received tickets to attend, all opinions and experiences are our own.