Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler

 

AUDITION DATES: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19 and 20, 7 – 9 PM

 

CALLBACKS: Thursday, August 21 at 7 pm (by invitation only)

 

PLACE: The Jersey Shore Arts Center, 66 Main Avenue at the entrance to Ocean Grove, NJ

 

DIRECTOR: Nick Montesano

MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jeff Brown

STAGE MANAGER: Allison Brown

 

PREPARE: 16 - 32 measures of a song in the style of the show or from the show.Bring your sheet music for the piano accompanist.

 

BE PREPARED TO LIST YOUR CONFLICTS. We cannot cast those with multiple conflicts, or conflicts during tech week through performance dates. General rehearsal and Performance Calendar will be shared at auditions.

 

PERFORMANCE DATES: Fridays & Saturdays, October 10 - 18 at 7:30 PM, Sunday, October 19 at 3 PM.

 

SEEKING: Actors and singers of all ages.. While there are no dance requirements for the show, we will include some choreographed, basic movement.All ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritage / background and body types are encouraged to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.

 

OVERVIEW

Sweeney Todd has become a worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony's, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world. 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.

 

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

 

Sweeney Todd – Sweeney is charming but hot-tempered, ferocious yet vulnerable. Strong baritone/bass who can whistle. Speaks with a London dialect. Vocal range top: Gb4, Vocal range bottom: F2

 

Mrs. Lovett – . Mrs. Lovett is resourceful, ambitious and calculating. Requires an actor with great comedic timing. Mezzo with belt. Speaks with a Cockney accent. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Anthony Hope – A youthful sailor who helps Sweeney return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. He is idealistic, romantic and a bit reckless. Tenor. Speaks with a standard British accent. Vocal range top: F4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2

 

Johanna – Although described as “pale” and “yellow haired,” we are not taking this literally in casting considerations. Soprano. Speaks with a standard British accent. Vocal range top: A5, Vocal range bottom: Bb3

 

Tobias Ragg – A poor young apprentice first to Pirelli and then to Mrs. Lovett. He is industrious and eager to please, with a good sense of humor. Uneducated, but innately clever and observant, Tobias responds quickly to the kindness of Lovett but grows increasingly suspicious of Sweeney. Tenor. Speaks with a Cockney accent. Vocal range top: Ab4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2

 

Judge Turpin – A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. Embodies Puritanical hypocrisy: he lusts after Johanna, even as he professes to keep her innocent. Bass/baritone. Speaks with a standard British accent. Vocal range top: Gb4, Vocal range bottom: E2

 

Beadle Bamford – 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. Tenor with a strong falsetto. Speaks with a standard British accent. Vocal range top: D5, Vocal range bottom: D3

 

Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker – An eerie, poor soul living on the streets of London. Mezzo. Speaks with a Cockney or London accent. Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: Ab3

 

Adolfo Pirelli – An Irish former employee of Sweeney’s who has since developed a public persona as a flamboyant and flashy world-famous Italian barber. High tenor. Speaks in both an Italian and Irish accent. Vocal range top: C5, Vocal range bottom: B2

 

Jonas Fogg – The owner of Fogg’s Asylum. Fogg sells the hair of inmates to wigmakers. Speaking role who sings with the ensemble.

 

Ensemble – The ensemble, essential to the storytelling, acts as a Greek Chorus, commenting on the action and participating in the tale. They play roles of customers, townspeople, police, inmates at the insane asylum, Sweeney’s thoughts, and Sweeney’s victims. The ensemble gets ample opportunities for vocal challenges and is showcased with solos and harmonies throughout the show. Sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones, and basses. Note: Some characters may double as ensemble.