The Tony Award winning musical “Assassins” will be presented by the Wichita State University Opera and Musical Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28-Saturday, April 30; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in Wilner Auditorium.

Tickets are $16, with discounts available, for the R-rated show. For more information, call the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233.

America has lived with the terror of politics by assassination since 1835 when a deranged house-painter attempted to murder President Andrew Jackson.

“Assassins,” by lyricist-composer Stephen Sondheim and librettist John Weidman, is a kaleidoscopic musical theatre exploration of nine people who, over two centuries, successfully committed (or attempted to commit) political murder of American presidents.

The musical is set in the shooting gallery of a carnival. Within the framework of a showbiz revue, “Assassins” gives voice to the nine central characters’ hopes, fears and furies by exposing the tormented motivations that make them such intriguing figures. Crossing barriers of time and space, the assassins commiserate, explaining their actions with pride, pain and black humor.

King’s research for the production turned up more disturbing reminders that all is not well in American society.

“Extremely violent and profane commentary on YouTube clips, many celebrating or urging similar acts, illustrate all too clearly that beneath the surface our country is still smoldering,” said King. “. . . Joblessness, rage at infringement of states’ rights, frustration at lack of personal recognition, perceived class warfare – these issues were among the reasons cited by the historical characters for their actions.”

King will host a public symposium after each performance of “Assassins,” and hopes especially to attract psychologists, criminologists and sociologists to the events. To participate, contact King at 978-6373 or marie.king@wichita.edu.

“Assassins” suggests that our leaders are the victims of frequent assassination attempts largely because American mythology promises everyone a right to their dreams. If these dreams are not attained, someone must be responsible.

In his New York Times review of the original production (Jan. 28, 1991), then theatre critic Frank Rich stated, “. . . there is a shadow America, a poisoned, have-not America that must be recognized by the prosperous majority if the violence in our history is to be understood and overcome.”

The cast is composed of students majoring in theater, voice and musical theater performance. Direction, music direction and design are by School of Performing Arts students and faculty. Michael Downs is the Brown Cultural Trust Guest Designer of scenery.

Cast of characters

• Matthew Elliot as John Wilkes Booth, an actor and passionate champion of the South during the Civil War. Assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
• Ross McCorkell as Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian immigrant who failed to kill Franklin Roosevelt because he had to stand on a chair and it wobbled.
• John Keckeisen as Leon Czolgosz, the son of Polish immigrants, a worker in a glass factory and supporter of anarchist groups. Assassinated William McKinley.
• Ian Sutton as John Hinckley, the man who shot President Reagan and three others to impress the actress Jodie Foster.
• Luke Walker as Charles Guiteau, a Republican who wrote a campaign speech for President Garfield and ended up assassinating him.
• Paula Makar as Sara Jane Moore, a five-times married FBI informer who tried to kill President Ford to re-establish her radical credentials.
• Janet Wiggins as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the "family" of disciples of the mass murderer Charles Manson. Fromme pulled a gun on President Ford so she could free Charlie from jail.
• Curtis Proctor-Artz as Samuel Byck, an unemployed loner who picketed the White House on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa Claus and died trying to hijack a jet to blow up Richard Nixon in the White House.
• Jacob January as The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald, a former marine who defected to Russia, then returned to the United States and worked as a stock boy in the Texas School Book Depository. Assassinated John F. Kennedy.
• Joseph Consiglio as The Proprietor, the insinuating barker of a fairground shooting gallery.

The ensemble of bystanders, witnesses to history and historical characters, including Emma Goldman, David Herrold and Gerald Ford will be portrayed by Casey Bagnall, Steven Cox, Ashley Lauren, Jeff Perritt, Alyssa Schmidt and Sarah Schwartz.

Linda Starkey is music director; Amy Baker, choreography; Michael Downs, set design ; Will Johnson, lighting design; Betty Monroe, costume design; Tom Mittlestadt, prop design; Amanda Bowman, sound design; and stage manager, Jordan Pohlman.