Cast unveiled for production of Sweeney Todd in Carmel

Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) and Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) are pleased to announce the cast list for their first ever collaboration, a fully-staged production of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, to be performed at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 21 and 22.

Called a tasty, thrilling theatrical treat, this Stephen Sondheim groundbreaking musical has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world. Sweeney Todd is an infamous tale of an unjustly exiled barber returning to London to seek revenge on the judge who framed him. Lush, operatic and full of soaring beauty, pitch-black comedy and stunning terror, it is one of the signal achievements of the American Musical Theatre in the last 50 years.

Building on ATI’s highly successful 2016-2017 production of Sweeney Todd, this collaboration will be under the musical direction of CSO Music Director Janna Hymes and will feature the Carmel Symphony Orchestra using original Broadway orchestrations.

Heading the cast will be ATI founders Don Farrell as Sweeney Todd, Judy Fitzgerald as Mrs. Lovett, and Cynthia Collins as Beggar Woman. Additional players include Elizabeth Hutson (Johanna), Matthew Conwell (Anthony), Tim Fullerton (Judge Turpin), David Cunningham (Tobias), Mario Almonte III (Pirelli), Michael Elliott (Beadle), Rory Shivers-Brimm (Jonas Fogg), and Karaline Feller (Bird Seller). The show will be directed by Richard J Roberts. In addition, the cast and orchestra will be joined by an 80-member chorus facilitated by the Indianapolis Arts Chorale.

“I was completely blown away when I experienced Sweeney in New York City at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 1989,” said ATI Artistic Director Don Farrell. “Here was a show that, in the heartland of capitalism, attacked greed and exploitation. Its hero was not a sympathetic compassionate, but a vengeful barber turned serial killer. And, musically, it was so sophisticated with a fusion of Bernard Herrmann, Benjamin Britten and the Dies Irae.”

Added CSO Music Director Janna Hymes, “The original production with Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou had a profound effect on me. My goal is to present the Carmel Symphony to a wide audience by performing music for all audiences. Collaborating with other arts organization is one of the ways we continue to present exciting, unique, entertaining and relevant works to the community. We are very excited to be working this year with ATI and trust our audience will love it as well.”

Tickets are available now at the Center for the Performing Arts box office, at thecenterpresents.org or by calling (317) 843-3800. You can also visit atistage.org and carmelsymphony.org.

Meet the Cast

Don Farrell (Sweeney Todd) – Don Farrell is Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1992, his Off-Broadway credits include Irene (Jimmy O’Flaherty), Dodsworth (Harry), Last of the Red-Hot Mamas (Louis); International and National Tours have included: Forever Plaid, The Taffetas (director). Las Vegas credits include Forever Plaid (Sparky). Don has originated roles in 5 world premieres and has over 90 credits, among them A Christmas Story (Old Man), Million Dollar Quartet (Sam Phillips), La Cage Aux Folles (Albin/Zaza), MAMMA MIA! (Harry Bright), Into the Woods (Baker), Dames at Sea (Captain/Hennessey), Romance/Romance (Alfred/Sam), Alabama Story (Senator Higgins), The 39 Steps (Clown 1), A Comedy of Tenors (Tito/Beppo), The Odd Couple (Oscar Madison). As a Concert Soloist since 1991, Don has performed with major symphonies including with Maestros Erich Kunzel, Keith Lockhart, Jack Everly, Alfred Savia, John Morris Russell, Robert Moody and Janna Hymes. Graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, Don is a proud father of a talented daughter.

Judy Fitzgerald (Mrs. Lovett) – A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, Judy Fitzgerald’s credits Include: Radio City Music Hall w/ Glenn Close, Madison Square Garden w/ Liza Minnelli & Danny Burstein (conducted by Marvin Hamlisch). National Tour w/ Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones and Omar Sharif. Off –Broadway credits include: Swingtime Canteen w/ Tony® Award-winner, Charles Busch (Blue Angel); Placido Domingo’s operetta VLAD (Lamb’s Theatre); Dodsworth w/ John Collum, George Lee Andrews, Dee Hoty (York Theatre, John Houseman Theatre); Irene (Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse); Face the Music, That’s The Ticket! w/ Tony® Award-winner George S. Irving( Musicals Tonight! Series). Other credits include Regional Theatre, Summer Stock, Dinner Theatre, Cabaret and Industrials across the country. As a Co-Founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana, Judy was last seen on the ATI stage in Forbidden Broadway. A native of Indiana and long- time resident of New York City, Judy currently resides in Carmel.

Cynthia Collins (Beggar Woman) – A proud member of Actors Equity Association since 1991, Cynthia Collins’ Off-Broadway credits include: Fifty Million Frenchmen, Face The Music, Jubilee, That’s The Ticket with Tony Award winner George S. Irving (Musicals Tonight Series); Valentino, The Musical at the Judith Anderson Theatre; Lone Star Cafe at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and Gigi at Equity Library Theatre directed by Gerard Alessandrini, creator of the famed Forbidden Broadway. Cindy has toured Nationally in Singin’ In The Rain and internationally in My Fair Lady as well as multiple Cruise Line appearances. She has worked Regional, Summer Stock and, Dinner Theatre contracts across the country. Her television/film credits include: Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Ed, Sex And The City, OZ, Die Hard III, Sabrina, Maid in Manhattan, The Thomas Crown Affair, When I Grow Up, Hide & Seek, Zoolander, Shaft, Coyote Ugly, and Shaft. She has had the pleasure of working with such artists as Ben Vereen, Sandy Duncan, Claude Aikens, Comden & Green, Cy Coleman, Avery Schrieber, Joel Grey, Cyndi Lauper, Fred Waring and his famous Pennsylvanians, Chita Rivera, Sutton Foster, Diane Rehm (NPR‘s The Diane Rehm Show). Her latest film work was an Independent piece entitled FUBAR, based on a Kurt Vonnegut Short story. Cindy is a Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana. A native of Livingston, N.J. and longtime resident of New York City, she currently resides in Carmel with her partner Judy Fitzgerald and the beautiful Lizzie.

Matthew Conwell (Anthony) – Matthew Conwell is making his ATI debut as well as his debut with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. Matthew is an alum of the Musical Theatre program at Ball State University. During his time at Ball State he was seen in shows such as Hairspray, Shrek The Musical, Damn Yankees, and A Chorus Line. Around Indianapolis he has been seen in Eclipse’s productions of Spring Awakening and Dogfight. 

Tim Fullerton (Judge Turpin) – Tim Fullerton is a well-known performer in regional theatre. In recent years he has been seen in Henry IV pt. 1, Les Blanc, As You Like It, Cymbeline, (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Macbeth, The Mikado (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Translations (Rep Stage); The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare Santa Cruz); Mamma Mia, Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence, Newsies, Julius Caesar, Pirates of Penzance, Stand-Up-Tragedy, Man of La Mancha, The Secret Garden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Death of a Salesman (PCPA); Jesus Christ Superstar (Santa Barbara CLO); Three Musketeers the Musical*, Victor/Victoria (American Musical Theatre), A Christmas Carol, ReUnion (Fords Theater); You Are My Sunshine (Alma Theatre Company); and Mamma Mia (Oregon Cabaret Theatre) among others. This spring he will be performing as Fredrik in A Little Night Music at Sacramento Theatre Company. *Original Cast Recording

David Cunningham (Tobias) – As an actor in the Indianapolis area for the past ten years, David Cunningham is performing in his first production with ATI! Some of his favorite and most recent roles include Crutchie in Newsies, The Boy in Cat in The Hat, and Sketch in Hairspray all with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. Outside of theatre, David enjoys spending his time pursuing his passions in Filmmaking and Photography.

Mario Antonio Almonte III (Pirelli) – Hispanic American tenor Mario Antonio Almonte III is an emerging artist in today’s classical music world and is excited for musical theatre opportunities such as Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. He recently won 1st place in the emerging artist category of the Classical Singer Online Vocal competition, Covered Count Almaviva in Opera Tampa’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, performed as tenor soloist in the Vivaldi Magnificat, and was in the premier of Maestro Anton Coppola’s opera Lady Swanwhite. Mario graduated from the University of North Florida with his BA in Vocal Performance and later received his Masters in Music from the University of Miami. During the summer of 2019, Mario spent 2 months in Germany where he attended the Berlin Opera Academy and Lyric Opera Studio Weimar.

Micheal Elliott (Beadle) – Michael Elliott is happy to be back with ATI, having performed in The Fantasticks. He has worked as an actor, music director, and vocal instructor throughout the country, including National Tour performances of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and the San Diego premier of the three-person opera Bed and Sofa as well as music directing Threepenny Opera at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, TN. Michael, also an accomplished composer, serves as coordinator of Musical Theatre for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Ball State University. Michael earned a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.

Rory Shivers-Brimm (Jonas Fogg) – Rory Shivers-Brimm’s theatrical roots can be traced back to his great-grandfather who was a theater owner in Texas in the late 19th century. He has performed, choreographed, and directed in numerous venues including the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, ATI, American Cabaret Theatre, Footlite Musicals, Theatre on the Square, Buck Creek Players, Edyvean Repertory Theater, Marion Civic Theatre, Raleigh’s Dinner Theatre, and The Artists’ Studio. He was most recently seen in Newsies at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. Rory is an avid fan and collector of all things Oz and has had the privilege to portray the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre four times. Favorite performances include Actors Theatre of Indiana highly acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd, Harold Nichols in The Full Monty, Mordred in Camelot, Johnny Cantone in The 1940’s Radio Hour, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Will Parker in Oklahoma!, and Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie.

Karaline Feller (Bird Woman) – Karaline Feller was seen previously at ATI in It Shoulda’ Been You (Jenny) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Flo). Karaline graduated from Ball State University with a BFA in Acting and is the Digital Platforms Manager.

Meet the Music Director / Conductor

Versatility, passion and innovation are the hallmarks of American conductor Janna Hymes. Renowned for her inspiring performances, musical depth and energetic presence both on and off the podium, she has developed a reputation as an exciting, detailed communicator. Praised by the press as “an architect, a builder in sound, a conductor with an overall view who never misses details,” she has served as Music Director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra since fall 2017. Ms. Hymes also served as Music Director of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra from 2004 through May 2019. Among the US orchestras with which Ms. Hymes has guested are the Houston, Indianapolis, Oregon, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Roanoke (VA), Hartford (CT), Portland (ME), Madison (WI), Florida West Coast, Harrisburg (PA), Spokane (WA), Richmond (VA), Springfield (MA), Chappaqua Chamber (NY), Bangor (ME) and Omaha symphony orchestras, as well as the San Francisco Women’s Philharmonic, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Florida Orchestra. International guesting includes the Costa Rica National Symphony (where she has been a frequent guest), the Delta Ensemble of Holland, National Orchestre de Lyon, Besancon Chamber Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico. Born in New York City, Janna Hymes is a Fulbright scholar, recipient of a 1999 Geraldine C. and Emory M. Ford Foundation Grant, and a prizewinner of the 1998 International Conducting Competition in Besancon, France.

Meet the Director

For Actors Theatre of Indiana, Richard J Roberts has directed The Musical of Musicals, My Fair Lady, The 39 Steps and Sweeney Todd at the Studio Theatre. He has directed a dozen shows at the Indiana Reperatory Theatre, where he has been on staff for 30 seasons, 22 as resident dramaturg. Most recently he directed Trouble in Tahiti for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Cabaret at the University of Indianapolis. Other directing credits include the Phoenix Theatre, Edyvean Reperatory Theatre, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, IndyShakes/Wisdom Tooth, Butler University and Anderson University. Richard studied music at DePauw University and theatre at Indiana University. He has been awarded a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

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About Actors Theatre of Indiana

Actors Theatre of Indiana was co-founded in 2005 by Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell and Judy Fitzgerald with a mission to celebrate the power of theatre and contribute to life in Central Indiana by offering high quality professional theatre performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate and entertain. One of only four Equity Theatre companies in Central Indiana, Actors Theatre of Indiana is the resident professional theatre company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and has provided 14 seasons of high-powered musical theater productions, world premieres and innovative community works. Visit atistage.org for more information.

About Carmel Symphony Orchestra

Believing that music has the power to change lives, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the resident orchestra at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Founded in 1975, the CSO is comprised of 85 professional and passionate musicians who perform an eclectic repertoire of the world’s greatest symphonic music. The CSO is committed to enhancing the community’s quality of life by offering creative, artistically excellent performances and educational experiences to diverse audiences of all ages. Janna Hymes serves as Music Director and Jeanelle Adamak as Executive Director. For more information, visit CarmelSymphony.org.