‘Shive’ and a ‘’aircut’

Sandy Belcher, a local veteran actor, will experience a first in her acting career when she gets on stage Thursday. Belcher plays the beggar woman, who ultimately dies on stage.

“A little over 35 years I’ve been doing this and never been killed on stage,” Belcher said.

Belcher’s portrayal of the beggar woman culminates with a cruel twist.

Brian Holsopple has been acting for over 30 years and he’s taken his share of leading roles.

But from a pirate king to a legendary King Arthur, no role has matched that of Benjamin Barker in “Sweeney Todd.” In fact, the last time “Sweeney Todd” was put on in the area more than 15 years ago, Holsopple took the leading role in that Oak Grove Theater production of the play.

“If I had to pick a favorite role, this is my favorite role,” Holsopple said during a rehearsal. “I’ve done others. ... I mean a lot of great roles that I really enjoyed, but this one I think takes [it].”

With Holsopple leading the way, ShenanArts’ production of the former Broadway musical Sweeney Todd premieres Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the ShenanArts Stage4 theater in Verona. Reserved tickets are $16, general admission is $12 and student tickets are $8.

Holsopple called his character “single-minded” and “one-dimensional” but said that the tortured character and his partnership with the baker, Nellie Lovett, represent a level of irony not commonly seen.

“She happens to own the shop underneath what used to be his barbershop,” Holsopple said. “So when he comes back [from jail], he, of course, looks up the barbershop but finds this pie shop in the lower part. So they sort of team up after she, at the end of Act 1, suggests – by a song, a very funny song – that they team up.”

The “teaming up” is part of Benjamin Barker’s diabolical plan to avenge the actions of Judge Turpin, who raped his wife in the years after Barker was unjustly incarcerated – by the judge.

The play features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, winner of nine Tony awards, including the Tony he won for this play in 1979.

“Sondheim’s stuff is top of the line,” director Hank Fitzgerald said. “He’s one of my favorite composers and playwrights; he’s incredible.”

Fitzgerald will direct eight performances from Sept. 17-27, featuring a 22-member cast with a wide range of experience.

Stage4 is located in the shopping center to the right of Route 11 at the intersection with Highway 612 in Verona. For more information, the box office can be reached at 248-1868 or visit http://www.shenan-arts.org.http://media.newsvirginian.com/newsvirginian/images/uploads/9-16_sweeney_todd.jpghttp://media.newsvirginian.com/newsvirginian/images/uploads/9-16_sweeney_todd.jpg