SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Comes to South Coast Repertory

Nearly 40 years ago, Stephen Sondheim's bent-on-revenge barber, Sweeney Todd, sliced his way into the canon of musical theatre. The multi-award-winning Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is next up on the Segerstrom Stage at South Coast Repertory, Jan. 19-Feb. 16. Kent Nicholson directs the production. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

With its razor-sharp wit and extraordinary songs, this Tony Award-winner has been called "more fun than a graveyard on the night of the annual skeleton's ball" (New York Daily News). The story follows Sweeney Todd as he settles into a barber shop, above Mrs. Lovett's struggling pie shop, and plots revenge on the lecherous judge who wronged Todd and his family. The barber's strange alliance with the pie-maker seems to provide the perfect solution to their problems. The themes in Sweeney-power, abuse of power, revenge and responsibility-continue to resonate with 21st-century audiences, Nicholson noted.

For the look and feel of SCR's production, Nicholson found inspiration in several 19th-century elements including penny dreadfuls (popular, cheap serial stories that embellished the deeds of criminals, detectives and even supernatural creatures; the character of Sweeney Todd actually appeared in a penny dreadful titled The String of Pearls) and Victorian-era theatrical techniques.

"In that spirit, we're approaching Sweeney Todd as being told by a troupe of 19th-century itinerant actors and we're weaving some magic into it," he said. He also is drawing out more of the comedic elements from Sondheim's script.

The cast includes Devin Archer (Anthony); Erica Hanrahan-Ball (Beggar Woman); Juliana Hansen (Johanna); Jamey Hood (Mrs. Lovett); Conlan Ledwith (Tobias Ragg); Robert Mammana (Judge Turpin); Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper (Beadle Bamford); Roland Rusinek (Adolfo Pirrelli); Brent Schindele (Jonas Fogg); David St. Louis (Sweeney Todd); and Katy Tang (ensemble).

The creative team includes David O, music director; John Iacovelli, scenic design; Melanie Watnick, costume design; Lap Chi Chu, lighting design; Cricket Myers, sound design; Kelly Todd, choreographer; Philip D. Thompson, accent coach; and Joanne DeNaut, CSA, casting. The production manager is Joshua Marchesi and the stage manager is Jamie A. Tucker.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has generous support from Honorary Producers Sophie and Larry Cripe, and James, Kimberly, Haley and Colby Jacobs. The Corporate Honorary Associate Producer is Haskell & White LLP. South Coast Plaza is a season sponsor for the Segerstrom Stage.

The musicians include David O (conductor), Larry Hughes, Robert Carr, Erin Breene, Mary Keating, Tim Jensen, Dustin McKinney, Danielle Ondarza and Louis Allee.

Related Information for Sweeney Todd

Tickets: May be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or by visiting the Box Office at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Performances run Jan. 19-Feb. 16. Ticket prices start at $26. Low-priced previews run Jan. 19-24.