'Assassins' Opens at Barn Theatre Friday

Assassins, by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, opens Friday at The Barn Theatre.

The 1990 musical about the men and women who have assassinated, or attempted to assassinate, presidents of the United States is one of Sondheim’s most controversial productions. The show’s 2004 Broadway revival received five Tony Awards.

“It speaks so much to the level of frustration our society feels right now,” Director Roseann Ruggiero said.

A self-proclaimed Sondheim fan, Ruggiero admitted that her first encounter with Assassins was not altogether positive. Then she worked on the show under another director. It was from that perspective that she came to appreciate the relevance of the piece.

“I find it thought-provoking,” she noted. “I discovered these assassins are us. They could be any one of us. Admittedly, some of them…most of them…okay, probably all of them, are crazy. But alienation is a scary thing. They did this because it was the only way they felt they could be heard. People snap.”

Ruggiero has been involved in more than 25 productions at The Barn Theatre since 1992. She has been an actress, producer, designer and director. Assassins marks Ruggiero’s third directing project at The Barn since 1992. Her first was The Heidi Chronicles.

A theatre major from Ryder College, Ruggiero spent many years working in off-Broadway productions in New York City. However, she always kept her hand in what she calls, “New Jersey’s vibrant community theatre.”

“What I discovered is, I like the shows without the business of show business,” Ruggiero said. “It’s like Sondheim said in Company, ‘I think there's a time to come to New York and a time to leave.’”

An executive assistant by day, the Ledgewood resident now volunteers at community theatres across the Garden State. When she directs, she chooses to take vacation time from work the week before opening night because she finds the details of the production fill her every waking moment.

Ruggiero noted that the skill set it takes to mount a theatrical production is the same skill set that makes her good at her day job.

“I always tell people, being involved in community theatre creates a life like no other. You will work with people of all ages and from all backgrounds,” she said. “You will make friends of all ages, from the very young to the very old. I recommend it for children, especially. It is a family. It is the broadest possible life experience.”

Indeed, for Assassins, Ruggiero has brought together a creative team of people she has worked with for more than 20 years.

“It’s just easier and fun,” she said.

Assassins also features some new faces and a child. Everyone involved, except the musical director and orchestra, are dedicated volunteers. This production represents a year’s worth of work for Ruggiero.

“In community theatre, it is about the experience. As the director, I want everyone, especially the children involved, to have a good experience,” she explained.

Assassins is running Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, through June 9, at The Barn Theatre on Skyline Drive in Montville.