The Starting Arts Dream Team Proudly Announces Their Upcoming Productions of CABARET and SWEENEY TODD

This week, Starting Arts Dream Team (http://www.startingarts.com) enters final rehearsals for their upcoming performances of CABARET, which previews January 9 at the Historic Hoover Theater, and SWEENEY TODD, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which runs January 16, 18, 19 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater. For show information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.startingarts.com.

The scene is a night club in Berlin, as the 1920’s are drawing to a close. The Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience to the show and assures them that, whatever their troubles, they will forget them at the Cabaret. This musical astounds with dynamically staged numbers while exploring an era of tumultuous change.

The intimate Hoover theatre, set in a cabaret-style atmosphere, will follow the musical’s consistent theme of timely, innovative and revolutionary art. Adding to the ambiance will be a clever set design which incorporates impressive framework and pieces donated from Broadway by the Bay.

Winner of the Tony and 8 Oscar Awards, Joe Masteroff’s book for CABARET was based on John Van Druten’s play I Am a Camera, itself inspired by Christopher Isherwood’s Berlin stories.

“These young performers are impressive triple threats,” said Amy Baker, Dream Team Program Director. “By tackling two productions at once we are able to provide them with a performance experience that showcases their individual passions and strengths.”

Through a complex music score, the cast of the team’s SWEENEY TODD will tell the story of one man’s lust for vengeance on those who’ve caused his years of pain. After hard years in exile for a crime he didn’t commit, Benjamin Barker, now Sweeney Todd, returns to London to find his wife dead and his daughter in the hands of the evil Judge Turpin. In his anger, Sweeney goes on a murderous rampage. With the help of Mrs. Lovett, he opens a barber shop in which he lures his victims with a charming smile before casually ending their lives with a flick of his razor across their necks.

“Both of these musicals contain challenging material not only for our students, but for our creative team,” said Stephanie Renee Maysonave, Dream Team Theatre Director. “While keeping the heart of these musical masterpieces, we have re-imagined the use of fake blood in SWEENEY and CABARET’s explicit suggestion.”

CABARET
The Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave, San Jose

(Preview) January 9th at 7pm
(Preview) January 10th at 5pm
January 10th at 8pm
January 11th at 2pm and 7p.m.
January 12th at 2pm

Preview tickets: $7 for Student; $12 for Adult; $85 for VIP Table of 5
Performance tickets: $10 for Student; $15 for Adult; $100 for VIP table of 5

SWEENEY TODD
The Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave.,
San Jose

January 16th at 7pm
January 18th at 2pm and 7pm
January 19th at 2pm

Performance tickets: $10 for Student; $15 for Adult; $20 for VIP

The original production of SWEENEY TODD opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre (now the Gershwin) on March 1, 1979 in a production directed by Harold Prince. The musical won eight 1979 Tony Awards including Best Musical of the Year and ran for 557 performances.

These Dream Team productions are directed by Maysonave with musical direction by Amy Baker, choreography by Kelly Velasquez (CABARET) and assistant direction and choreography by Rober Lopez (SWEENEY TODD). The group made their debut performance in 2010 with INTO THE WOODS. Past productions also include WEST SIDE STORY, LES MISERABLES and IN THE HEIGHTS.
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About Starting Arts Dream Team (http://www.startingarts.com/programs/dream-team-dt2/)
The Dream Team is a select group of young artists ranging in age from 14 to 18 years. Through the Starting Arts program, team members receive weekly expert training in music (vocal), dance and theater, and monthly workshops with arts professionals. Specialized workshops are designed to develop a variety of skills including auditioning, performance technique, stage combat, and stage management. The team also participates in various community performances and produces an annual industry showcase, which is scheduled for May 2014.

About Starting Arts (http://www.startingarts.com)
Starting Arts is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is the promotion and preservation of quality arts education in public schools. Since 2001, Starting Arts has partnered with school communities and districts in the San Francisco Bay area to provide both during and after school programs in visual and performing arts for children in grades K through 12. Starting Arts actively promotes all four arts disciplines: Dance, Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, and now Film. Starting Arts receives and solicits operating funds from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies. Contributors not only help educate the next generation of artists and audiences – they help teach creative thinking skills to the future innovators and leaders of our world.