Cast For "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Actors sought for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" show. Please see the breakdown below. About the project: Synopsis: Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun! Additional info: A NOTE ABOUT CASTING: Today, London is—as it has long been—one of the most diverse cities in the world. This production of Sweeney Todd is looking to cast an inclusive and diverse company of actors who reflect the world we live in today. A NOTE ABOUT ACCENTS: Accents listed are not expected at auditions and will be worked on throughout the rehearsal process. If you’re comfortable performing any of these accents, please let directors know during auditions and give it a try! How to Prepare: Auditioners will read from the script and should prepare 16 measures of a song that demonstrates their vocal abilities. Auditioners will be permitted to sing with their own tracks. You may also bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist. Possible call backs on Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30 pm. Rehearsals will begin July 24 and run Monday – Thursdays from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Performance Dates: September 21 - October 1, 2023 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm. Sunday shows begin at 2:30 pm. Audition application is attached.
10 roles
Sweeney escaped from prison after being wrongfully accused and jailed for fifteen years. Formerly a proud barber, a loving husband and a happy father, Sweeney is now consumed by loss and revenge. He has returned to London to right the wrongs committed against him, his wife, and his daughter. Sweeney is charming but hot-tempered, ferocious yet vulnerable. Speaks with an Estuary or London dialect. Bass-Bari Vocal range top: Gb4 Vocal range bottom: F2
An entrepreneurial meat pie shop owner who will do whatever it takes to survive. She is in love with Todd and hopes that he’ll forget the past and build a new life with her. At first shocked by Sweeney’s bursts of violence, Lovett turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture. She is resourceful, ambitious, charismatic, and has great comedic timing. Speaks with a Cockney accent. Alto Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
A youthful sailor who helps Sweeney return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. He is idealistic, romantic, and a little reckless. His passions sometimes get the better of his reason and his enthusiasm sometimes makes him unintentionally comedic. Over the course of the show, he awakens to the horrors around him and becomes disillusioned with London. Speaks with a standard British accent (RP). Tenor Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Todd's long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin's young ward. Home-schooled and largely homebound. She has a rebellious, subversive, and romantic streak and longs to escape her confinement. Johanna is aware that Judge Turpin isn’t her real father and suspects that he might be a predator. Like her father, she has experienced trauma and possesses a buried capacity for violence. Speaks with a standard British accent (RP). Soprano Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position to imprison Todd, assault Lucy, and take Johanna in as his ward. He is aware that what he wants and what he’s done is wrong yet chooses to ignore or push against his conscience. Embodies Puritanical hypocrisy: he lusts after Johanna, even as he professes to keep her innocent. Speaks with a standard British accent (RP). Bass-Bari Vocal range top: Gb4 Vocal range bottom: E2
A pompous public official who is responsible for the health and safety of London. He possesses a dry, deadpan sense of humor and enjoys wielding his power. He is not a sniveling civil servant. He is deeply loyal to Turpin, though in his heart of hearts he believes he’s better than the judge. The Beadle loves singing children’s nursery rhymes, which remind him of his youth. Speaks with a standard British accent. Tenor Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: D3
An eerie, poor soul living on the streets of London. She supports herself by begging and prostituting herself to sailors. The Beggar Woman is Sweeney’s wife, Lucy, who lost her mind after being assaulted by Turpin and taking poison. She has occasional flashes of lucidity and distrusts Mrs. Lovett. Like the oracle Cassandra, she is the only one who sees what’s happening, but no one will listen to her. Speaks with a Cockney or Estuary accent. Mezzo Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: Ab3
An Irish former employee of Sweeney’s who has since developed a public persona as a flamboyant and flashy world-famous Italian barber. A charlatan who sells fake medicine and challenges other barbers to shaving contests. Pirelli is charming, calculating, and over-the-top comedic. Possess some anti-English sentiments and does not take lightly to being publicly embarrassed by Sweeney. Speaks in both an Italian and Irish accent. Tenor Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B2
The owner of Fogg's Asylum. Fogg sells the hair of inmates to wigmakers. Considers the inmates “children” and takes pleasure in showing them off to visitors. Chooses to ignore the human rights of his patients in the name of scientific progress. An authoritarian who is really a coward at heart. Speaking role who sings with the ensemble. Speaks with an Estuary dialect. Spoken
The ensemble acts as a Greek Chorus, commenting on the action and participating in the tale. They are the show’s chief storytellers, taking on the roles of customers, townspeople, police, inmates at the insane asylum, Sweeney’s thoughts, & Sweeney’s victims. They stand in for us. The ensemble gets ample opportunities for vocal challenges and is showcased with solos and harmonies throughout the show. Sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones, and basses. Accents not necessary.