Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

×

Expand

Daniel John Jajewski (Anthony, left), and Thomas J. Kasdorf (Sweeney, right) rehearsing for the Middleton Players Theatre production of "Sweeney Todd."

press release: Middleton Players Theatre will present the dark comedy thriller and Tony-award winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. From an adaptation by Christopher Bond, this Sondheim masterpiece will play for three performances only, September 14th-16th at the Middleton Performing Arts Center, 2100 Bristol St. in Middleton.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is one of the darkest musicals ever written. Set against the backdrop of 19th century London, the musical grimly narrates the story of Benjamin Barker, a Victorian-era barber who returns to London after fifteen years of unjust exile to take revenge against the local politicians who wronged him. Along the way, Barker, now identifying as Sweeney Todd, encounters the quirky and opportunistic Mrs. Lovett, the owner of a failing pie shop who takes him in. When he is unable to exact his revenge, Todd develops an unparalleled thirst for blood that leaves carnage everywhere in sight—a turn of events that drastically improves the luck of Mrs. Lovett and her pie shop. Argued by some as Stephen Sondheim’s most perfect score, audiences will be enthralled and appalled by such pieces as “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” “The Worst Pies in London,” “Johanna,” “Pretty Women,” and “City on Fire.”  Supported by a lush and magnificent 35+ piece orchestra comprised of the members of the Middleton Community Orchestra, this production will not disappoint.

Audiences will be elated to see new and returning talent on the Middleton stage. Thomas Kasdorf stars as Sweeney Todd, the dark and brooding barber blinded by revenge. Madison area favorite Meghan Randolph returns to Middleton as Mrs. Lovett, the devious and optimistic pie shop owner who arguably catalyzes the catastrophic events of the show following Sweeney’s return to London. Dan Jajewski will charm audiences as the innocent and lovestruck sailor Anthony. The object of his affection, the beautiful and demure Johanna, is portrayed by Kirsten Larsen. Rick Henslin plays Judge Turpin, the manipulative villain who ruined Todd’s life many years ago. Adam Shelton makes his Middleton debut as Adolfo Pirelli, Sweeney’s over-the-top professional competition, while Gavin Waid returns to Middleton as Tobias Ragg, the naive and loyal boy who finds himself in the care of mass murderers Todd and Lovett.

The creative team for this high octane production includes Mari Bass (director), Kyle Knox (music director), Sharon White (costume designer), and Alyssa Krantz (production stage manager).

Sweeney Todd will be presented at the Middleton Performing Arts Center at 2100 Bristol St., Middleton. Performance dates and times are September 14 and 15, at 7:30 p.m., and  September 16 at 4:00 p.m. Reserved tickets are $25/adults, $20/seniors and $15/students and can be purchased online at middletonplayers.com or at the door 60 minutes before each performance. For best seating online ticket purchases are strongly recommended.

Middleton Players Theatre was founded in 1990 and has produced over thirty shows in its 26-year history. Mainstage shows are produced at the acclaimed Middleton Performing Arts Center, while other smaller concerts and cabarets have been performed around the greater Madison area.