'Assassins' production in Aspinwall takes audience into the mind of a presidential killer

In a dark glimpse of America’s often-twisted political history, Aspinwall native Jake Froehlich will bring to life the man who assassinated President James Garfield in a musical tale of greed, rage and irony.

“Assassins” by Stephen Sondheim will be produced by Riverfront Theater Company on Nov. 9-12 and 16-18 inside the event venue at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall.

The show details all the people who have attempted, with or without success, to murder a U.S. president.

“This musical is a tale about the extremes some people will go to, their motivations and their dreams, and ultimately the severe consequences one radicalized individual can trigger,” said Froehlich, 26.

He plays Charles Guiteau, who shot the 20th U.S. president in 1881 at a railroad station in Washington, D.C.

Others, like John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald, also are profiled in the musical. Among them is Leon Czolgosz, who spent part of his childhood in the Natrona neighborhood of what is now Harrison Township. An anarchist, Czolgosz shot President William McKinley in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1901.

“I think ‘Assassins’ captures the very human fascination we have with politics and murder,” Froehlich said. “In this increasingly polarized political climate, it becomes more important than ever to take a look back at our history and attempt to learn from the atrocities of our past. As long as the American Dream has existed, so, too, has there been those who feel cheated of that dream.”

The audience will go into the reality-bending minds of the killers. Guiteau, for example, felt cheated by the Garfield administration for not offering him a job after Guiteau believed he played a vital role in the victorious election.

“A theme in our season has been what the success and happiness promised by the American Dream leads people to do,” artistic director Surya Ravindran said. “This piece addresses our country’s complicated history in an intriguing, objective way. You won’t leave the show sympathizing with the characters, but you may look differently at the people around you.”

“Assassins” opened off-Broadway in 1990 and nearly 25 years later won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Ravindran said the show requires performers to be gifted in both acting and singing as the score is known for its challenges. It includes popular music from depicted eras along with patriotic-themed tunes.

Portraying complex, attention-seeking characters is just as demanding. Several familiar names from the Pittsburgh theater community will hit the stage, including Tom Protulipac, Jeremy Galloza and Jim Froehlich, Jake’s father.

“Assassins” is rarely produced in community theater, Ravindran noted.

The younger Froehlich has been acting since sixth grade. Eager to be part of this production, he said audience members should be ready to laugh, gasp and dive into the hall of infamy of American assassins.

“We hope not only to entertain, but to stir curiosity and leave our audience abuzz, Googling questions when they leave,” he said.

Riverfront Theater Company has been entertaining audiences and educating aspiring theater junkies for more than 55 years. The company produces musicals and plays throughout the year in addition to a teen summer camp production and other special events.

“We have some of the area’s best talent in this show, and they are doing incredible work,” director Jeff Johnston said.

Froehlich said he is ecstatic to work alongside his dad.

“He has been a leader of Riverfront Theatre Company for years now. We have been waiting for the stars to align on a show that we could both be in, and this one fit the bill.”

Tickets for “Assassins” cost $30 for general admission and $50 for front-row VIP, which includes unlimited concessions. They are on sale at riverfronttheaterco.org/