Lake Zurich prepares to stage 'Sweeney Todd'
The dark, twisted tale of an exiled barber's plan for revenge hits the stage at Lake Zurich High School's Performing Arts Center next week.
Wade Self, who played the Wizard of Oz last year, will take on the title role in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."
This is the first play since $4 million in recommended budget cuts were announced by Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials, including one out of three theater productions. Kathy Koll, producer for "Sweeney Todd," said the annual children's theater production is the one that will go without funding.
"We intend to make it happen, we're just not sure how," Koll said.
Many groups facing cuts have tried to raise enough money to remove their program from next year's cut list. The price tag on the one theater production set to be cut next year is $4,630.
Stephen Sondheim's contemporary opera-style music and lyrics provided a formidable challenge for the students, who have been rehearsing "Sweeney Todd" since February.
"The show is very difficult in that Sondheim writes very difficult music," Koll said. "Vocally, they've had a lot of work to do, but they've done a great job with it."
The show opens April 29 at 7:30 p.m. It will be performed at the same time April 30 and May 2, and at 8 p.m. on May 1. Tickets are $10 in advance for adults and $8 for students, seniors and children. Prices go up $2 for tickets purchased at the door. The play is recommended for mature audiences.
Another recommended budget cut that has been criticized by the public at District 95 board meetings is the elimination of fourth and fifth grade band and orchestra.
"That's a tough pill to swallow knowing that was the foundation for a lot of the kids in the pit on this show," Koll said.
The recommended budget cuts are intended to counteract an anticipated shortfall in revenue due to the drop in the consumer price index from 4.1 percent to 0.1 percent. The CPI determines the increase in the property tax levy the district can request.
The school board will approve a tentative budget in June, and the final budget will follow in September.