Sondheim musical in its last weekend at Shoreline CC

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber,
and Mrs. Lovett, the pie-maker
are the main characters in Sweeney Todd at Shoreline CC

Sweeney Todd is one of the most demanding shows regularly performed by professional theaters and opera houses throughout the world, and you can see it right here in Shoreline, this weekend.

Performances Friday through Sunday - see details in previous article

Charles Enlow, the producer and music director, says, "The music is rich and complex, the libretto brilliantly written, and, although the story is dark, it has important lessons to impart to the audience."

Shoreline Community College is in their forty-third year of producing quality musical theater at the college. This production is the third Sondheim show at Shoreline.

Over a hundred people are involved in the production

There are over 100 people involved in the various phases of this production (crew, builders, welders, painters, designers, production directors and crew, orchestra members, conductor), many of them students at Shoreline, Edmonds CC, Everett CC, and surrounding schools.

Shoreline CC has an active opera and musical theater program, and produces two full productions every school year (Opera Workshop and Musical), fully staged, costumed, with full sets, and accompanied by orchestra.

It is all about the students, says Enlow. "We simply give students the opportunity to learn and perform in theatrical roles that they would not receive anywhere else at this stage of their learning process. 

Many of our graduates have gone on to prestigious music and theater programs, such as Peabody Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, and Carnegie-Mellon, and have enjoyed active careers in music, performing with Seattle Opera, LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, regional professional theaters and programs."

The program is funded in large part through the Student Body Government at Shoreline Community College.

The production of Sweeney Todd began a year ago and has been in the planning and development process for some time.

"We've been hard at work since, and I believe we have an outstanding show as a result. We are fortunate in the Seattle area to be able to stage and produce such a complex piece of theater, drawing on many musical and dramatic resources that result in a rich theatrical experience."