Audition Announcements

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler, Based on the play by Christopher Bond

Directed and Choreographed by Joe Duffy

Date/Time: Saturday, April 28 3:00 – 7:00pm by appointment only
Callbacks (if necessary) Monday, April 30, 6:30-10:30 pm
Place: Coastal Repertory Theatre, 1167 Main Street Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

To schedule an appointment, please send email to CRTSweeney@gmail.com. Include your name, email, phone number, and role for which you are auditioning.

Rehearsals to commence in mid-May.All actors cast in this production should remain flexible in availability of schedule (Memorial Day and July 4th Holidays fall within the rehearsal period.)

14 Performances – July 20-August 18, 2012, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees

The Play

Benjamin Barker (now known as Sweeney Todd) returns to London after escaping from jail and teams up with the enterprising widow Nellie Lovett to take revenge on all of London.  His murderous plot, combined with Mrs. Lovett’s questionable business inspiration, creates a macabre use for his victims.  The Victorian horror story of revenge and obsession, highlighted by Stephen Sondheim’s most complex and powerful score, will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Whether you find humor in this dark tale or are terrified by the revolting practices of this pair, you will long remember this chilling, Tony award winning masterpiece.

‘Without a doubt, Stephen Sondheim is the greatest living theater composer/lyricist, and Sweeney Todd is his masterpiece.’ —talkinBroadway.com

Casting and Audition Information

SWEENEY TODD has 6 male roles, 3 female roles, plus a highly featured supporting cast of at least 6 highly versatile actor/singers (more could be cast per directors’ vision). The supporting cast has solo moments throughout the story. The entire company must have strong acting and vocal techniques, handle British dialects with ease and have strong movement abilities in staging which is ever in motion and can be demanding and  can appear dangerous.  *Actors who have appointments to audition should be very familiar the music and with the version of the story, but are asked kindly to not emulate the styles, portrayals or changed/ alternate versions on film or in previously produced productions.

Please bring resume and head shot.

Preparation

• Please be prepared to sing two songs, preferably one up tempo and one ballad in the style of the show. No rock, no Lloyd-Webber, no Lady Gaga. We are looking for classical/operatic or classic voice musical theatre.
• Length of song: 16 to 32 bars
• Please bring sheet music in your key.  Accompanist provided.
• Movement audition at callbacks.

Parts Available

SWEENEY TODD — This role has been cast.

MRS. LOVETT –Mezzo with a good low range. An attractive woman/Entrepreneurial shop owner with a diabolical passion for pies… and Todd. Compassionate, witty, bold, excellent singer with terrific comedic timing and knack for clear Cockney dialect. F#3 – E5

ANTHONY HOPE — Tenor. A young man who returns to London and sets his heart on Johanna, Todd’s daughter. Handsome and fit with strong physical build. Naïve, but sincere in his attempts at Heroism and Love. C3- F#4

BEGGAR WOMAN — Mezzo-Soprano. A deranged and schizophrenic woman with a secret. Actor must belt, sing legit, handle dramatic material with heavy physicality and dialect. Ability to screech, howl and still sing beautifully. A3 – F#5

JOHANNA — Lyric Coloratura Soprano. She is Judge Turpin’s young, lovely ward and Todd’s long-lost daughter. Innocent and aching to free herself from Turpin’s grasp. She is youthful and kind and strong in mind. A beautiful ingénue. C4 – Bb5

JUDGE TURPIN — Bass-Baritone with rich older tone. Should be able to play in his 60s to with harsh edge and dark physical emotions. He is a corrupt and lecherous official who hides in the guise of sanctimonious honor. B2 – F4.  There are passages in “Pretty Women (Part I)” and other songs where TURPIN sings down to an F1.

PIRELLI — Tenor or Soprano w/ Mix. Could be cast with a male or female actor. Pirelli is a flamboyant Italian barber with a secret past. A charlatan and rival to Todd. A pivotal role with an edge. *Actor needs to be formally trained and sing with excellent diction skills. Sings in English with Italian accent. Speaks in this dialect and also uses an Irish Brogue. There is a high A in “The Contest” G#2 – F#4

THE BEADLE –Tenor. There is a high C (C5) in Kiss Me, Part II. A pompous public official whose real loyalty is only to the corrupt Turpin and to himself even more. Stylized vocal and physical role, perfect English, snide, savvy, yet comedic flair. Actor could play a keyboard during parlor songs section, great plus, but not necessary. Bb2 – F4.

TOBIAS RAGG –  Tenor. A man who can play the innocence and fears of a child is needed for this role. He is an apprentice to Pirelli, but finds a strange, surrogate family in Todd and Lovett. Sings high and fast patter, cockney dialect needed and strong mover as well. B2 – G4

THE SUPPORTING CAST: At least 3 men and 3 women with EXCELLENT triple-threat sensibilities. The Musical Staging will be intricate and will be taught fast. They play: Townspeople, Lords, Ladies, Policemen, Lunatics at Asylum, Customers at both shops, Guests at Turpin’s Party and Body Double(s), etc. NOTE: The role of Jonas Fogg will be cast from this Ensemble.

Click here for a full synopsis.

Email CRTSweeney@gmail.com for more information or to schedule an audition appointment. Include your name, email, phone number, and role for which you are auditioning.