Staples Players is in the midst of another this-is-like-Broadway run. “Sweeney Todd” wowed audiences last weekend. Tickets may sell out soon for this weekend’s final shows.
Audience members awed by the teenagers’ performances say to themselves, “If only I had enough talent to get on stage…”
Rondi Charleston at 19 — the year she auditioned for “Sweeney Todd.”
One Westporter does more than just think it. She remembers vividly the day 36 years ago when she auditioned for that very show.
In 1979, Rondi Charleston was a 2nd-year student in Juilliard’s drama department. She was called to audition as an ingenue in the original production of “Sweeney Todd” on Broadway.
Charleston sang for the casting director. The next day she was called back to sing for director Hal Prince, in a big, historic theater.
Prince liked what he heard. She was called back again. This time, Stephen Sondheim was there.
Charleston was not nervous. “I was young and naive,” she laughs.
Charleston made it to one of 3 finalists. Eventually the role — Johanna, a classic Sondheim ingenue — went to someone a bit older and more seasoned.
Rondi Charleston and Emma Ruchefsky.
Charleston is enjoying watching the current Staples Johanna — and not just because she almost played it herself.
One of the double-cast roles is Emma Ruchefsky — Charleston’s daughter.
“Life has come full circle,” the former actor says. “I couldn’t be happier or more thrilled that she is getting the chance to put her stamp on this role. I have so much respect for the work that all these kids do!”
Congrats to Emma, and Rondi — a “stage mother” everyone can love.
(Staples Players performs “Sweeney Todd” this Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. For tickets and more information, click on StaplesPlayers.com.)
Johanna (Emma Ruchefsky) and Anthony Hope (Jack Baylis). (Photo/Kerry Long)
Thanks for sharing this, Dan…it adds just that much more “wow” factor Emma’s Johanna in Staples Players’ Sweeney Todd. We saw it last weekend and she was fabulous!
This is why the Staples Players are so amazing–and have been so for decades! Bravo!
Sweeney was terrific. See it this weekend.
The torch has been passed. I love when magic intervenes and life comes full circle. Congratulations to this Mother-Daughter duo.