Audition Notice: SWEENEY TODD

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Hugh Wheeler

Auditions on November 3 & 4, 2019 at 7:00pm

100 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA

Performances: January 31 - February 16, 2020

​About the Show:​
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth 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!

What to prepare:

Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of a song from ​Sweeney Todd​, or one similar in style to the show or Sondheim.
All auditionees will be allowed to sing; some will be asked to stay for cold readings. (Not being asked to stay does not mean you will not be cast)
If unable to attend either night, a video audition must be submitted to [email protected] ​by Sunday, November 3.

Character Descriptions:

Men: 
Sweeney: Actor should be able to play late 30s - 40s, English accent not necessary. His determination for revenge twists him into something violent and evil. However, in auditions and performance, his vulnerable side should be in play: it is what transforms him. Killing is an attempt to assuage his very visible pain, to heal himself.

Anthony: Actor should be able to play mid to late 20s, Standard British accent (RP). Idealistic, not yet corrupted by the world. Romantic. He believes people are mostly good at heart. He is the model English hero, who in reality is powerless to achieve the perfect world. He quickly surrenders to feelings of "true love."

Toby: Actor or actress should be 14-17 years old, Cockney accent. Simple-minded but clever, he responds easily and quickly to the kindnesses of his elders, especially Pirelli (his "father") and Mrs. Lovett (his "mother"). He is very suspicious of Sweeney, however. Like many in this play, he is on the edge of insanity, but is basically well-intentioned. Stares.

Pirelli: Actor should be able to play early to late 30s, an Irish con man pretending to be Italian (so, 2 accents). A flashy showman with a big voice and dramatic gestures, he sells fake medicine and collects as much money as he can.

Judge Turpin: Actor should be able to play 50-60 years old or older, Standard British accent (RP), a conservative judge without much compassion. Embodies Puritanical hypocrisy: lusts after his ward Johanna, even as he professes to keep her innocent and safe from "vile young men." Licks his lips or has other disgusting mannerisms.

Beadle Bamford: Actor should be able to play 30s - 40s, Standard British accent (RP) or Cockney, jovial and boisterous assistant to the Judge, yet has a scheming nature. Will break the law to keep people in line. His corruption makes him blind to true good and evil. A respected citizen not worthy of respect.

 

Women:
Mrs. Lovett: Actress should be able to play 40s, Cockney accent, energetic, talkative, has a crush on Sweeney. There is a very slight edge of insanity to her and a streak of larceny--she is motivated by desire--for money, for love, for popularity. She is all bright eyes and smiles, but kills cockroaches and chops meat like a pro.

Johanna: Actress should be 18 years old and able to play 18-22. Sweeney's daughter. Standard British accent (RP). Her family seems easily pushed into madness. She is pretty, sweet, and delicate and the beginning; after her confinement in the asylum and until her rescue, she may be on the edge of insanity. A damsel in distress.

Beggar Woman: it's hard to see through her filthy rags to determine her age, actress should be able to play late 30s - 40s, Cockney accent. She is more of a major character than she appears to be. She's lewd, vulgar, and in constant physical and psychological pain.

Toby: Actor or actress should be 14-17 years old, Cockney accent. Simple-minded but clever, he responds easily and quickly to the kindnesses of his elders, especially Pirelli (his "father") and Mrs. Lovett (his "mother"). He is very suspicious of Sweeney, however. Like many in this play, he is on the edge of insanity, but is basically well-intentioned. Stares.
 

Chorus (4-6 men and 4-6 women) 
This is the real backbone of the show. Various types of people. Many have a twinkle in the eye--a lurid enjoyment of horrifying the audience with violence. There are MANY specific singing roles within the Chorus, and there is a feeling of them being always nearby, and running the show. Accents not necessary.

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

SWEENEY TODD is sponsored by
M&T Bank

Cast Sponsor: Intrada Technologies, Inc.

All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open. CTL encourages anyone who is interested to audition and is always eager to welcome new faces and fresh talent to its stage. Except as specifically required by the author for certain roles, The Community Theatre League has a non-discrimination casting policy, open to members of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations, and abilities. We encourage members of diverse backgrounds and abilities to audition for our productions.