Sarah Altomari and Ryan Lubin are part of the cast of Musical Theatre Guild's production of “Assassins.” The Sondheim musical opens Friday.

A small invited audience experienced the latest offering from the Musical Theatre Guild — “Assassins” by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman.

The well-executed (no pun) historical dive into the world of presidential assassins is under the direction of Phil Ball with Karen O'Donnell producing and Ken Smith directing the music.

Sondheim combines a variety of vignettes to portray the assassins throughout time, giving them the opportunity to cajole and goad one another. Vaudevillian, melodramatic and comedic approaches offer compelling arguments for the just cause of the assassin. A unique cast of characters made compelling cases for their causes.

The “Ballad of Booth” showcased Stefan Lingenfelter's vocal range. As Booth, Lingenfelter ran the gamut of emotions throughout the scene.

The Balladeer, a narrator of sorts, played by Michael Alexander, was a much-needed role, playing devil's advocate and detail filler. Alexander's voice capably handled the disjointed melodies.

Tammy and Patrick Erkman shared a tender scene as Emma Goldman and Leon Szolgosz. Their natural chemistry spilled over into the encouraging and comforting scene during which Goldman encourages and assures Szolgosz that he is more than others think he is.

By scene six, we are in desperate need of comedic relief from the macabre atmosphere, and Sarah Altomari and Megan Flannery as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and Sara Jane Moore, did not disappoint. More Lucy and Ethel than Thelma and Louise, the pair plotted to kill President Gerald Ford. From target practice on her lunch to losing her bullets, gun and lipstick, Flannery drew her share of laughs.

“The Gun Song” by four of the assassins was belted out in barbershop quartet style as they lauded the tools of their trade and how that one tool, used properly, could and would change history, and more importantly, how the assassins were viewed.

Ryan Lubin as John Hinckley and Altomari as “Squeaky” shared a duet of misguided ballads to their obsessions. It was a tender, albeit twisted, love song.

Charles Guiteau's descent into madness was portrayed by Matt Leslie, who captured the spirit of the character in an eerily natural way. His capture and demise into the gallows was disturbing and perplexing.

Bob Colbert as Giuseppe Zangara and Matt Mlynarski as Samuel Byck rounded out the other assassins, save for the final one, Lee Harvey Oswald played by Jud Michael Stewart.

The ensemble cast also featuring Glen Bittner, David Halin, Rik Medic and Davlin Smith shared the haunting and moving “Something Just Broke,” recalling the JFK assassination.

Sondheim's edgy take on the human condition showed the assassins in their quest for justice in an unjust world, attacking a symbol of America, the American president. Second Amendment rights people will love the show, during which guns are brandished regularly.

The quirky harmonies in “Everybody's Got The Right” rounded out the night and finished the show off with a bang.

Dark and deep with adult language and situations, the show is best for mature audiences only.

WHO: Musical Theatre GuildWHAT: “Assassins” by Stephen Sondheim and John WeidmanWHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13WHERE: William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall at the rear of Memorial ParkTICKETS: $17, available online at www.mtgbutler.org