Before Hannibal Lector, Michael Meyers or even Jack the Ripper, there was Sweeney Todd...The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! And his long road of vengeance is paved with blood and bodies! Audiences expecting an uplifting, happy musical will be in for a big surprise. Instead, buried in the haunting dissonant music, lyrics, and lines, there is a lesson for us all: Revenge, vengeance, greed, lust and dishonesty will NOT produce the fairy tale ending of “happily ever after,” and there are serious consequences to our actions. Based on the penny dreadfuls and bloody melodramas of the Victorian era, this musical still manages to find laughs and thrills in some dark and unexpected places.
A melodrama telling the tale of Sweeney Todd called "The String of Pearls" appeared on stage in 1847 and was advertised as "founded in fact." This production was the beginning of the fascination with the gruesome story. From there, silent films were made (1926); ballets based on Sweeney Todd (1959); endless songs, radio shows, television, movies and of course, Sondheim's musical version (1979) further perpetuated the story. Fact or fiction...you decide.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, would sweep the 1979 Tony awards. It would win for Best Musical, Best Book (Hugh Wheeler), Best Score (Stephen Sondheim), Best Actor and Actress (Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury) and Best Director (Harold Prince).
As an actor and director, it is always appealing to do something out of the ordinary and challenging. It has been my extreme pleasure to work with a great cast and crew of people who feel the same as I do. And you are about to see the results of their hard work, dedication, and love of theater!!!
So...Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd...And who wants a shave? . . . Anyone?
Debbie Craig-Archer
Director
