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  • Above, Sterling Franklin and Thomas Hyde perform in Corbin High School’s production of “Sweeney Todd” last April. The Thespian Society is taking a 20-minute selection from the piece to the National Performing Arts Festival competition next week. Hyde, now a senior, will reprise his role as Todd. Franklin graduated last May.

    0417 Sweeney Todd

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March 19, 2010

CHS to perform ‘Sweeney Todd’ at New York festival

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — Special to The Times-Tribune

The Corbin High School Thespian Society is taking “Sweeney Todd” to the National Performing Arts Festival in New York City March 27-28.

During this festival, students will be performing a 20-minute selection from last year’s full-length performance.

The festival will be held at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center and features some of the nation’s top high school and middle school acting troupes performing selections for a panel of theater professionals.

In addition to the performance competitions, each theater troupe will attend a private, interactive feedback clinic, and the student actors will participate in educational seminars on topics such as audition techniques, stage movement and vocal training.

The festival will conclude with a special awards ceremony recognizing top performing individuals and the top drama troupes.

Director Schann Mobley said 14 members of the thespian society will be traveling to New York. This is the first time Corbin High School drama students have participated  in the National Performing Arts Festival.

“Sweeney Todd” is the story of Benjamin Barker, now Todd, who returns to London for revenge on Judge Turpin. Turpin has exiled Barker for 15 years on a false charge, raped his wife, and stolen his newborn child.

“Sweeney Todd” opened on Broadway on March 1, 1979, and ran for 557 performances. The music and lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim and were based on the book by Hugh Wheeler.

The play was nominated for nine Tony awards and won eight.

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