Algonquin Arts, New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Summer Musical Program, and the New Jersey Youth Theatre Company [NJYT] have collaborated to present the Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim production, “Sweeney Todd: The Musical Thriller.”

The production will tour to the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan this Friday, July 31, with performances through Aug. 9.

The production of “Sweeney Todd: The Musical Thriller” features a multi-cultural cast of 32 talented New Jersey and New York metro-area young actors between the ages of 15 and 25.

Lead roles include Jaclyn Ingoglia, 22, of North Caldwell, as Mrs. Lovett; Erin LeCroy, 18, of Belle Mead, as Johanna; Kevin Melendez, 22, of West New York, as Sweeney Todd; and Stephen Mir, 18, of Bloomfield, as Anthony.

The production will also be accompanied by a full orchestra comprising young student musicians and seasoned professionals.

Sets, props and wardrobe operations, on stage and backstage, will be in the hands of professionals assisted by young technical interns from the area. The actors, musicians and technical interns come from across the metro area, and participate free of charge in this unique project.

Past Algonquin Arts/NJPAC/NJYT summer musical productions have included “Ragtime: The Musical,” named by The Star Ledger as Best Musical in 2006; “West Side Story,” the recipient of the 2003 Music Theatre International Award of Excellence; as well as “Guys & Dolls,” “Anything Goes,” “South Pacific,” and “Carousel.”

In a past review by Peter Filichia of The Star Ledger, NJPAC and NJYT were acclaimed for their masterful professionalism: “This is not a case of, ‘Hey, aren’t they great for kids?’ These teens and 20 somethings prove that they’re capable professionals. With such astonishing young talent around, New Jersey theater promises a luminous future.”

“Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is a Tony Award-winning musical with a book by Hugh Wheeler, and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical is based on the 1973 play, “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” by Christopher Bond.

“Sweeney Todd” opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre on March 1, 1979 and ran for 557 performances. It was directed by Harold Prince, with musical staging by Larry Fuller. It starred Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd, and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett.

Tickets to see “Sweeney Todd: The Musical Thriller” live at Algonquin Arts are $32 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $15 for students and children. Group rates are also available.

Performances are scheduled as follows: Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m.

To reserve seats or obtain more information, contact the box office at 732-528-9211, or boxoffice@algonquinarts.org. More information can also be accessed at www.algonquinarts.org.

Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Algonquin Arts is conveniently located at 173 Main St. in downtown Manasquan.

Algonquin Arts was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey’s central region. Programming of Algonquin Arts is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations, such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, New Jersey Cultural Trust, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, PNC Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman’s Club of Brielle, Bank of America, Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation, Investors Savings Bank Charitable Fund, Verizon Foundation, Janice & Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses.