Sweeney Todd
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Book: Hugh Wheeler

Presented by the Memorial Theatre Company through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International 

July 14-15, 20-22, 27-29 2001
Memorial Opera House
Valparaiso, Indiana

Directed by Jeff Casey
Vocal Direction by Trisha Hales and Doug Pishkur
Choreography by Candy Wells

Winner of Best Musical in Norhtwest Indiana at the  Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation Awards, 2001
Winner of Best Director of a Musical - Jeff Casey
Winner of Best Best Music/Orchestral Director  - Troy Webdell
Winner of Best Vocal Director(s) - Trisha Hales and Doug Pishkur
Winner of Best Principal Actor in a Musical - Steven Becker

For a more in depth look at this musical, check out the website on the PBS concert special here.

Promotional Poster from this production, signed by the cast. I have it laminated and hanging in my dorm room.
(My apologies for the blurry photo...lamination does that.)

CAST


 
CHARACTERS

Sweeney Todd - Steven Becker
Anthony - Ray Parpart
Beggar Woman - Sheree Wheeler Gudeman
Mrs. Lovett - Leslie Evans
Johanna - Sally Jacob
Judge Turpin - Brendan Balfe
Beadle Bamford - Douglas Rowland
Tobias - Kevin Bellamy
Pierelli - Steven Spanopolus

  

ENSEMBLE

Leah Beverly
Matthew B. Byerly
Bill Ference
Kurt A. Gillins
Kerry Hall
Kari-Anne Innes
Brian Lucy
Ryan Matasovsky
Christine Marilyn Parry
Rebecca Schultz
Anne L. Sharp
Ali Stewart
Michelle Stewart
Mandy Withrow
Lisa Woodruff

Plot Summary and History - Courtesy of  Moonstruck Drama Bookstore

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a macabre tragicomedy based on the legend of a half-mad 19th century English barber. He is driven to crime when his wife and child are taken from him by an evil judge. Unjustly imprisoned, Todd eventually escapes and vows to bring justice not only to the judge who destroyed his life, but to all the people of London. To this end, he forms a partnership with Mrs.Lovett, an enterprising barmistress whose meat pies soon become the tastiest in London!

This tale of vengeance and murder features a top-notch score by Stephen Sondheim, one of the musical theatre's most brilliant composers. The "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" which opens both acts is based in the "Dies Irae," the Roman Catholic mass for the dead. Hugh Wheeler's libretto is based on a play by Christopher Bond.

Sweeney Todd opened at the Uris Theatre on March 1, 1979. Although the show only ran for 557 performances, it went on to win 8 Tony Awards including "Best Musical." The original cast featured Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett and Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd.

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