Who's leading Sweeney Todd cast?

Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Robbie Guevarra, Lena McKenzie, and Franco Laurel comprise the lead cast of Repertory Philippines’ (REP) new stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. The musical runs from Nov. 13 to Dec. 13 at Onstage 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Sondheim has won seven Tony Awards, and a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre. He is also a multiple Grammy Award recipient, and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

The composer’s signature dissonant style in melody, and the chilling and exciting storyline make Sweeney Todd a memorable theater experience. This is REP’s third incarnation of the musical thriller. The company staged Sweeney Todd in 1982 and in the ‘90s.

Audie plays the title role of Sweeney. Touted as the King of Philippine Musical Theater, he has appeared in over 40 plays, ranging from Broadway/West End to original Filipino works — playing major roles in Pippin, Evita, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Man of La Mancha, Fili and Noli for the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Pilipino, Ang Paglalakbay Ni Radiya Managandiri for The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), among others.

Mrs. Lovett, the unfortunate neighbor infatuated with Sweeney, is played by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. Two-time Aliw Best Actress, Menchu began her acting career with REP in Fiddler On The Roof in 1978. From there, she played important roles in West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Camelot, King And I, Evita, Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Robbie Guevarra plays the Beadle. He is another main player in local theater, having appeared in over 70 productions here and abroad. He has directed REP’s Romance, Romance and A Christmas Carol, and Blue Repertory’s Batboy.

Two newcomers to the REP stage are Lena Mckenzie and Franco Laurel playing Johanna and Anthony respectively. Lena is a soprano who has performed in Noli Me Tangere for CCP Tanghalang Pilipino. She is a voice major at the University of the Philippines. Franco, on the other hand, began performing in musicals in 1999 with Rama and Sita, where he played Rama’s younger brother. In 2004, he received the Aliw Award Best Actor for his role as Ugly in Trumpets’ Honk, the Ugly Duckling. And in 2008, he was Jose Rizal in Isang Panaginip Na Fili for Dulaang UP.

Baby Barredo directs with Michael Williams. Other members of the artistic and production staff include Gino Gonzales for set design, John Batalla for lighting design, and Mio Infante for costume design. Gerard Salonga conducts the FILharmoniKA orchestra.

Sweeney Todd has additional matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

For details, call 887-0710, 888-0887 or 891-9999.