ASSASSINS
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by John Weidman
Directed by Karina Gutiérrez
Assassins is based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr.
Playwrights Horizons, Inc. – New York City Produced Assassins Off-Broadway in 1990
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin
Assassins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
This production uses the Artist Engagement Services of the University Resident Theatre Association
A satirical combination of historical accuracy and creative interpretation, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins is a bold, incisive, and kaleidoscopic musical theatre experience that examines the possible motives and the growing political fanaticism of nine individuals who attempted to or successfully killed an American President. This musical semi-revue frequently blends American folk, pop, and ceremonial music across multiple depicted eras with broader traditional “patriotic” American music to produce a delightfully dark musical that gives voice to each assassin’s hopes, fears, and furies. Blurring barriers of time and space, the likes of John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, and Emma Goldman (to name a few) take center stage to commiserate with one another and audiences alike. But while each figure may quickly be relegated as an outcast by popular narrative, this piece powerfully suggests that the line between principle and fanaticism is thinner than we may be willing to admit.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Karina Gutiérrez (She/Her/Ella) is a Bay Area-based director, dramaturg, and scholar. As a director and dramaturg, Karina has had the pleasure of working with Bay Area Children’s Theatre, BRAVA, Magic Theatre, Crowded Fire, Huntington Theatre, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, PlayGround, Playwright’s Foundation, Shotgun Players, Stanford University, TheatreFirst, Townhall Theatre, UC Berkeley, West Edge Opera, and Word for Word. She is additionally a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee, Theatre Bay Area, and a founding member of the Bay Area Latinx Theatre Alliance Network (BALTAN).
Karina received her PhD in Theater and Performance Studies from Stanford University. Her scholarship concentrates on the intersection of politics and performance. She is currently a professor of Theatre History and Performance Studies in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University.
The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
CAST
in order of appearance
MUSICIANS
TAPS STAFF
ADMISSION
ADVANCED TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT, BUT…
There’s still a chance to see the show! Historically, most (or all) patrons on our wait-list are admitted. See how it works at the link below.
WHEN
THURSDAY through SATURDAY
MAY 23-25 at 8-10PM
There will be no late seating or re-seating while the performance is in progress.
WHERE
HARRY J. ELAM, JR. THEATER
IN ROBLE GYMNASIUM
375 Santa Teresa Street
Stanford University Main Campus
RUN TIME
This production runs 100 minutes and is presented without intermision.
SPONSORS
This production was supported by the Pigott Fund for Drama, the May Ellen Ritter Production Fund, and the Drs. Ben and A. Jess Shenson Fund.
IMPORTANT INFO
LATE SEATING / RE-SEATING
For safety reasons, we cannot accommodate late admission OR re-seating while the performance is in progress. Please plan on arriving with ample time to find parking, locate the theater, move through the box office, etc.
ADVISORIES
This production makes use of non-firing prop weapons and gunshot sound effects.
Assassins includes profanity, violence, and adult themes.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Electronic Assisted Listening Devices will be available for pickup at the Box Office on performance nights.
Request disability accommodations and access info via Stanford’s online form. Requests should be made by May 16th.
PLEASE NOTE
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Those in violation will be removed from the theater.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
TABLEWORK
TAPS’s podcast series TABLEWORK is a behind-the-scenes look at the scholarly and artistic efforts behind each production. This episode features Host and TAPS PhD student MARINA JOHNSON interviewing Assassins director PhD Alum KARINA GUTIÉRREZ.