The youth of today are legit over achievers.
Not content with simply going to school, local 17-year-old Daniel Erbacher has taken on the choreography of the Toowoomba Choral Society’s latest production Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
“Sweeney Todd marks my fourth full-scale production as a choreographer,” Danie said, listing off Grease, Bugsy Malone and Take the Stage as current and previous credits.
“I was inspired to lead the choreography for Sweeney because I knew it would be a technically challenging but rewarding experience for me.
“It isn’t your classic ‘break into song and dance’ show, but instead takes inspiration from such things as the melody lines written in Sondheim’s music, the change in time signature, the intention behind the characters, lyrics, and the build in intensity throughout the music.
“I then transform this into suitable yet effective movement that supports what the story is trying to tell.”
The St Joseph’s College student is no stranger to performing, either.
“I have been dancing since I was eight and have had the honour of being taught by Dale Maree Coles, Theresa Conrick, Bonnie Logan and more recently Alison Vallette at Dance Central Toowoomba,” he said.
“In 2015 I trained with the Queensland Ballet under the guidance of Christian Tatchev and internationally renowned Artistic Director, Li Cunxin. I have performed in many local productions including The Boy From Oz, The Wizard of Oz, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde The Musical, Wicked, Evita and Aida.
On finishing school, Daniel hopes to study musical theatre and ideally, perform professionally in the future.
For now, however, Daniel is content to take up the challenge of bringing the story of a murderous Victorian barber to life on the Empire Theatre stage next month.
“I have really enjoyed working with a talented cast and dedicated production team,” he said.
“People who come and see our production will delve into the mind of the Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and travel on a journey with him as they realise that he is misunderstood and judged as being this savage, one track minded demon when really he has so much more soul and purpose then what is seen through the barber shop window.
“You certainly won’t want to miss this one.”
Presented by the Toowoomba Choral Society, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street tells the tale of a London barber who returns home after 15 years of exile, and his quest for revenge on the evil Judge Turpin. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race, murdering as many people as he can, while his business associate Mrs Lovett bakes the bodies into meat pies and sells them to the unsuspecting public.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will be performed at the Empire Theatre on September 1-3 for three shows. Tickets are available through the Empire Theatre Box Office www.empiretheatre.com.au or phone 1300 655 299.
Feature Image: Daniel is pictured bottom left, along with members of the cast
