AUDITIONS: sweeney todd
ANNOUNCING OPEN AUDITIONS FOR
PARAMOUNT PRODUCTIONS’ 30TH SUMMER MUSICAL:
SWEENEY TODD
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A Musical Thriller
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM, Book by HUGH WHEELER
From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND
Originally Directed on Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos
There’s no place like London! In 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 turns 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.
Since its Broadway premiere in 1979, Sweeney Todd has taken its place among the great achievements of American musical theatre through its lush, operatic score and terrifying storytelling. We invite you to “attend the tale” with us this summer as we explore the darker side of Victorian London and just how far vengeance can go!
CONTENT WARNING: Sweeney Todd contains graphic depictions of violence, mature language, and adult subject matter and is recommended for audience members 18 years of age and older.
SWEENEY TODD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
AUDITION INFORMATION
AUDITIONS: Monday, February 27 or Tuesday, February 28.
CALLBACKS: Tuesday, March 7 (March 6 will be used as an additional date if needed by production staff).
WHO: People aged 18 and over, of all ethnicities, genders, and abilities are encouraged to audition. All participants must be 18 years of age or older by May 1, 2023.
AUDITION FORM: Please fill out the audition form by clicking the “Submit An Audition Form” button below. All wanting to audition MUST complete this online form.
SIGN-UP TIME: Please sign up for one (1) time slot (5 minutes each) on the date of your choice by clicking one of the dates/times below. All wanting to audition MUST sign up for an audition time slot.
WHAT TO PREPARE: Prepare a 32-bar cut or verse/chorus from a musical composed by Stephen Sondheim. Examples include: Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Follies, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, etc.. We ask that you prepare material from a show other than Sweeney Todd.
AT YOUR AUDITION TIME: We are asking all auditionees to perform their selections with a live pianist, who will be provided at the audition. All auditionees must bring their own sheet music, clearly marked with start, and stop.
AFTER AUDITIONS: You will find out no later than Friday, March 3rd if you have been offered a callback.
Please direct any questions to Katie Hahn, Director of Paramount Productions, and the director of Sweeney Todd at: khahn@paramountabilene.com
Paramount Productions is dedicated to diversity and inclusion as a core value, and as such we strongly encourage actors of all ethnicities and genders to audition.
SWEENEY TODD PERFORMANCES ARE
JUNE 23-25 & JUNE 30-JULY 1, 2023.
REHEARSALS BEGIN MAY 2023.
(Rehearsals are typically held Monday-Friday, 6:30-9:30 PM.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(**Note: We are especially seeking actors who are strong singers for all roles in this production.)
Sweeney Todd
A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him. He is Johanna's father, singularly focussed on taking bloody revenge. Our story's tormented protagonist.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 55
Vocal range top: Gb4
Vocal range bottom: F2
Mrs. Lovett
An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner. She falls in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture.
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Anthony Hope
A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Todd return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Johanna
A spritely girl, full of innocence, constantly yearning for freedom. Todd's long-lost daughter and Turpin's ward.
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 21
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Tobias Ragg
A poor youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. He finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett.
Gender: Male
Age: 12 to 18
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Judge Turpin
A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning Todd.
Gender: Male
Age: 50 to 65
Vocal range top: Gb4
Vocal range bottom: E2
The Beadle
A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Turpin.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 55
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Beggar Woman
A deranged and schizophrenic woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret.
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Adolfo Pirelli
A flamboyant Italian rival barber; a charlatan with a secret past.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B2
Jonas Fogg
The owner of Fogg's Asylum. He sells the hair of madmen to wigmakers.
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 60
Ensemble
Townspeople; Policemen; Lunatics
