Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Plot Summary: 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 a certain ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and that's just the beginning of the carnage! ~RATED R
Director: Celeste Russi
Music Director Jim Holmes & Shelley Saxer
Choreographer Mona King
Audition Dates & Times: Sunday through Tuesday -- January 6, 7, and 8, 2019 -- at 7:00pm
Audition Location: Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Audition Requirements: Please be familiar with the stage show, not the ?lm. Prepare no more than 32 bars of a song from a musical that shows off your vocal range. Songs from the show are acceptable. Bring sheet music in the proper key with cuts properly marked; an accompaniment CD; or an audio device with proper connector cables. An accompanist will be provided. Bring a picture, resume, and a list of ANY and ALL POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. **Absolutely NO CONFLICTS** will be accepted for performance dates or Tech Week (February 23 - 28). You may be asked to read from the script (sides will soon be made available online), and possible dance/movement (wear or bring clothes and shoes you can move in).
Special Notes: All lead roles may be members of the Ensemble at various times in the production. This is a small cast, with very demanding acting and vocal roles. We strongly encourage all who are auditioning to research the show, characters, and music before auditions. We will have 7 weeks to mount a challenging show -- so the cast will need to do their homework outside of regular rehearsals.
Rehearsals: Weekday evenings 7:00 to 10:00pm, some weekend days/evenings, January 11 - February 28, 2019.
Performances: March 1 - 24, 2019, Friday & Saturday at 8pm • Sunday at 2pm, Thurs 3/7 at 8pm • Sat 3/16 & 3/23 at 2pm
For more information, please contact: Producer Priscilla Losey at pcillalosey@gmail.com.
Character Breakdown: + All ethnicities encouraged to audition; director is seeking a diverse cast. All actors should be strong singers. Reading music is a plus. English accents required except for Pirelli who must have Irish and Italian accents.
SWEENEY TODD / BENJAMIN BARKER (Bass/Baritone F2 - Gb4, age range 35-50) A man consumed by revenge after his wife is kidnapped and abused, and he is wrongly convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Darkly cynical.
MRS. NELLIE LOVETT (Alto/Mezzo G3 – E5, Cockney accent, moves well, age range 35-50) An amoral, pragmatic seller of meat pies -- takes practicality to a ridiculous level. She lusts after Todd. A very high-energy role.
JOANNA BARKER (Soprano C3 – Bb5, age range 16-20) Benjamin Barker's 16-year-old daughter, a ward of Judge Turpin. Beautiful and pure-hearted. This role may be double cast.
ANTHONY HOPE (Tenor or Bari-tenor, Ab2 - F#4, age range 18-30) A good natured, optimistic & naive young sailor. Falls in Love with Joanna. This role may be double cast
BEGGAR WOMAN / LUCY BARKER (Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano Ab3 – F5, age range 35-50) Barker's wife, who he believes to be dead. Schizophrenic personality ranging from pathetic to crudely suggestive. This role may be double cast.
JUDGE TURPIN (Bass/Baritone E2 – F#4, age range 40-60) A lustful, immoral, power-hungry man. Twists the law to suit himself.
BEADLE BAMFORD (Tenor D3 - D5, age range 35-50) Judge Turpin's partner in crime. A bully with a thin veneer of gentility.
ADOLFO PIRELLI / DANNY O'HIGGINS (Tenor B2 - C5, age range 25-30) A charlatan who claims to be the king of the barbers, the barber of kings. Must be able to use both rich Italian and rough Irish dialects. A very high operatic style tenor role. This role may be double cast.
TOBIAS RAGG (Tenor or unchanged voice Bb2 – A4, age range 15–20s) Pirelli's young, simple, but kindhearted drum-beating assistant.
JONAS FOGG (Male, age range 30–60s, non-singing role, will be part of Ensemble) The proprietor of London's asylum for the criminally insane. This role will be a member of the ensemble and may be double cast.
ENSEMBLE / CHORUS SOLOISTS: A wide variety of roles will come from the ensemble. Ensemble members must have strong, trained voices and good musicianship and move well; a couple members with ballet experience a plus. Ensemble must also be able to demonstrate a strong concentration, intensity, and the ability to play “characters. There are a number of important SOLO-SUNG LINES in the show, including one quintet for 5 unnamed characters (all of which will double into the main chorus).
NOTE: CAST WILL BE MOVING SET PIECES AS PART OF THE ACTION.
Videos
