Assassins is Stephen Sondheim’s darkly comic exploration of the people who have tried to kill — or succeeded in killing — American presidents. Set in a surreal carnival, the show brings together figures from different eras, letting them tell their stories in their own words and songs. Instead of glorifying violence, Assassins asks unsettling questions about fame, frustration, and the American dream gone wrong. The result is a sharp, provocative musical that’s as thought‑provoking as it is entertaining.