LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- The Rider University Theatre will present a production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd, Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, and Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16. The curtain rises for each show at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre on campus.

Based on the book by Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd is a Broadway thriller which starred Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury when it won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1979. The show recounts the twisted journey of a man who loses everything to the cruel injustice of a 19th-century deranged English judge. Although controversial in dealing with a dark side of human nature, it intertwines comedy along with a beautiful love story.

Dr. Patrick Chmel, chairperson of the fine arts department, will direct the cast of Rider students.

"We have never produced a major musical with such overwhelming singing demands before," said Chmel. "This will also be the first major musical production in this department which brings together the talent from our Westminster Choir College with our own talent on this campus."

Of the 21 cast members, seven are members of the Westminster community.

Admission is $10 to the general public and $5 for faculty, staff, and students. A special preview performance is scheduled for Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m., with tickets only available at the door for $4. Advance ticket information for all other shows can be obtained by calling (609) 896-5303.

Rider University's Lawrenceville campus is located five miles south of Princeton and three miles north of Trenton on Route 206 in Lawrence Township. The campus is one-half mile south of exit 7A of Interstate 95.