Page 18 - the NOISE November 2012

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Jamey Hasapis (with knife) is Sweeney Todd, pictured with Tom Selek, in a rehearsal for the Flagstaff Light Opera Company’s production of the classic musical
Kate Hoyer’s colorful kanines are at the ACF Gallery this month.
perience was performing solos and singing in choirs including the Master Chorale of Flagstaff and the Arizona Mountain Chorale. I studied voice in college and had dreamed of doing mu- sicals, but never really got into it. I never really thought of myself as an actor until this year. I still think of myself as more of a singer.”
Mr. Hasapis has felt a life-long calling to take the stage it seems, “I’ve been a performer/mu- sician pretty much since I could talk. When we would get in the car, my parents, my brother and I would sing instead of listen to the radio.”
Mr. Hasapis said, when I asked what he’d like our readers to know about this play, “This isn’t your typical musical comedy. It is very dark and Sondheim himself calls it an Oper- etta. There are definite comedic moments, but for the most part, the music, the story, and the action will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.”
“I have to also say that the director Scott Tignor is incredible,” says Mr. Hasapis. “I have learned so much in such a short time; not only about my character, but about myself. I discov- ered that I can act too!”
Sweeney Todd Opens November 9 and runs through November 18 at the Sinagua Middle School Auditorium. Thefloc.org
DISNEY’S ALADDIN COMES TO THE FLAGSTAFF STAGE by Katie E. Lanting
The streets of Agra Bah and the intrigue of Arabia are coming to Flagstaff, as Flagstaff Youth Theater presents Disney’s Aladdin, com- posed by Alan Menken and directed by Flag- staff’s own Sara E. Drye. A cast of almost 100 kids, teens, and adults will perform an original production combining elements of the ani- mated film and the Broadway score under the skilled music direction of NAU music student, David J. Phillips. People familiar with the film will enjoy many additional songs and scenes that enrich the characters and add humor and depth to the story line.
Flagstaff Youth Theater has established its reputation in the community as a theater orga- nization that performs high-energy shows with
Company is bringing to stage Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
“Sweeney Todd is perhaps the greatest mu- sical score of the 20th century,” director Scott Tignor tells me. “It is certainly Sondheim’s most difficult work, from a composer known for his intricate and difficult scores. It is a story of love and obsession, and yes, revenge. It is horrifying, yet darkly humorous.”
“I did have a hand in choosing this score for production,” Mr. Tignor tells me. “When asked by the Board of Directors what show I thought that FLOC should present in the fall, I immedi- ately thought of Sweeney. The time of year is right for a horror story, and the company has grown enough to support a large-scale and very difficult production. Given, too, the recent successful film starring Johnny Depp, I felt we had a built-in audience.”
“My attraction to the score began nearly 25 years ago, when I was asked to do this show as a graduate directing major,” the director contin- ues. “However, due to various complications I was unable to pursue it. I am really drawn to the richness of Sondheim’s score, and its explo- ration into the darker side of human nature. It is also important to me at this time given the current problems plaguing the middle and lowerclassesinAmerica. SweeneyToddissetin 1846 London at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. There was a definite delineation in social classes at that time, and the lower classes were seen as mere servants to the upper class. Or, as Sweeney and Lovett sing: “Those below serving those up above.” The story itself is quite old, dating from the mid-19th century, and has had many incarnations as a short story, novel, several play versions, and finally Sondheim’s masterpiece of a musical.”
I ask Mr. Tignor about the cast of Sweeney Todd. “This cast is extraordinary, and certainly one of the strongest casts vocally I’ve had the pleasure of directing. We had an extraordinary amount of talent auditioning for the show, and what you see on the stage is the best of the best; strong singers and actors who are prov- ing themselves up to the task of bringing Sond- heim’s score to life.”
Staci Dickens, playing the role of Mrs. Lovett, tells me she’s always wanted to be in a production of Sweeney Todd. “Sondheim is probably my favorite composer of this century,” she says. “Mrs. Lovett is complicated like any good character. She has a very strong desire to be needed and loved. And she tends to take this to an extreme. She has many secrets and I think that gives her a sense of insecurity. She tries very hard to love those around her but it almost seems selfish the way she goes about it.”
Sweeney Todd is played by local virtuoso Jamey Hasapis. I ask him about the role he is undertaking, “Sweeney is pretty much dev- astated and bitter when he returns to London. He’s lost his wife, his child and his livelihood. He learns that his wife has died and his child is the ward of Judge Turpin. He seeks revenge on the judge for what he and his family have endured.
“What I most like about Sweeney is that he is the moral center for the play and that he is a hopeless romantic, yearning for the life he once had and he is so tormented inside. This man is really hurting and is very angry about how his life has turned out. All of this graft, crime and debauchery is going on around him and he, in his own way, wants to turn it around, although his method, murder, is a bit unortho- dox. What I don’t like about him is essentially the same. He’s holding this all inside of him, it boils until finally he explodes and all of this makes him crazy, mad and angry.”
“Last Fall I was approached by Randi Klein to take on a role in a new musical comedy she was directing for FLOC, All the More to Love,” Mr. Hasapis says when I ask him how he became in- volved in Flagstaff Light Opera Company. “She asked me to play the role of Gloria N. X. Chelsea, a drag queen. This summer I heard that FLOC was going to produce Sweeney Todd and so I auditioned for the role of Sweeney. I originally saw the production with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn when I was in college in LA. Ever since I wanted to be Sweeney.”
“This is my third musical,” Mr. Hasapis tells me. “Fourth if you count Opera. All of my experi- ences were this year. Prior to that my only ex-
a talented, dedicated cast and has continued to encourage people of all ages and skill lev- els to get involved in musical theater. Aladdin will showcase the best of what FYT has to offer: colorful sets and costumes, upbeat music and dancing, and engaging acting.
Starring Cannon Winkler as Aladdin, Jes- sica Pinaire as Jasmine, Robert Lovett as Ge- nie, and Anthony Garcia as Jafar, Aladdin will be showcased at the Flagstaff High School Main Auditorium. Performances start October 26, and run each weekend until November 11. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7PM and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2PM. FlagstaffYouthTheater.com
CLAIR ANNA ROSE’S ART BRIEFS
“It’s Elemental,” at the Coconino Center for the Arts reveals a juried selection of Fine Crafts. A members’ preview will take place November
16 at 7PM. The opening reception for the pub- lic will be held on November 17 and the show will remain on display through December 20. CulturalPartners.org
The unique striped pet paintings of Kate Hoyer are featured at the Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff’s Gallery for the Month of November. Ms. Hoyer states, “I began working in this me- dium 22 years ago but I started working with stripes over 30 years ago. My stripes and how I work with them have grown with me. I want to call attention to how beautiful the structure of animals and nature can be. Currently, defining dogs with stripes is where my interest is. Not only is there a structure to define but there is the dog’s personality to take into consideration.” Flagstaff-Arts.org, KateHoyer.com
Brandy’s Restaurant and Z House Gallery
are collaborating on a show featuring Z House Gallery artists. The show will run October 30 through early January 2013. As many artists as possible will be featured on rotation. Work will include photography, mixed media, pottery, oil and watercolor paintings, quilts, purses, found object assemblage and more. Brandysrestau- rant.com
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18 • NOVEMBER 2012 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us