playbill vip

Director's Notes

Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony's, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) 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... and the carnage has only just begun! Extremely popular with opera companies and in concert presentation, Sweeney Todd  is equally effective as an intimate chamber musical. Featuring some of the most chilling music ever written for the stage, this masterpiece is sure both to thrill and delight audiences.

For 25 years Sweeney Todd has been at the top of a short list of productions that I’ve wanted to put in front of an audience. The brilliant layers of love, lust, power and righteousness give this show a special place in the Musical Theatre world, and with this extremely talented cast and orchestra, I have no doubt you will thoroughly enjoy this production.

John Goss - Director 

John has performed in over 200 separate theatrical productions throughout the west. He has directed and choreographed shows in every theatre in the valley and has owned the Vaudeville Revue for nearly 8 years. His passion for “Sweeney” forced him to cast himself in the ensemble. “It wouldn’t be the first time I died in this stage”.

Special Thanks 

                     • Aspen Community Theatre

                     • Defiance Community Theatre

                     • Salina @ Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, New Castle

                     • Colleen Fawley

                     • Habitat for Humanity

                     • Rita Hunter

                     • Terry Lott - Richardson

                     • Jacquie Meitler

                     • Meiser's Mercantile

                     • Wendy Moore

                     • Bob Moore

                     • Lisbeth Odén

                     • Nancy Odén

                     • Wayne Pleasants

                     • David Pudil - Two Rivers Productions

                     • Jennifer @ Second Chance Shop, New Castle

                     • Jennifer Springer