Open Auditions: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

by

At the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
3501 SW 2nd Ave, Suite O, Gainesville, FL 32607

Open Auditions:
Sunday & Monday, August 20 & 21, at 7:00 pm at the theater
Call Backs: August 21, 2023 8PM (After any initial auditions)

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
Directed by Calypso May
Music Direction by Jackie Collins

Performance dates: October 12 – 29, 2023, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm.

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!

Please prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song
Bring a mobile device that has a recording or link to your track for your audition piece
*Acapella auditions will not be allowed

Complete your online audition form here

Character Breakdown

(The age ranges listed are the characters’ ages, not necessarily the ages of the actors)

Sweeney Todd (30s-50s) a wrongly convicted master barber. He has returned to London seeking to right the wrongs committed against him, Johanna’s father. He is powerful, vengeful, hot-tempered, intelligent, forceful, terrifying, brooding and morose with a certain cynical charm. He must have a commanding presence. Vocal range: Strong Baritone/Bass

Mrs. Lovett (30s-50s) an entrepreneurial and unscrupulous meat pie shop owner. She falls in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture for herself. She is talkative, cheerful, manipulative, devious and ambitious with a sexual prowess. Great comedic timing is necessary. Vocal range: Alto/Mezzo w/belt

Anthony Hope: (20s) a naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He rescues Todd and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. Strong, brave and full of the joys of the world. He has yet to inhabit the cynical qualities of Todd. He grows more and more terrified of the world around him. Vocal range: Tenor

Johanna: (needs to appear 16-18) a high-spirited girl, full of innocence with a flirtatious demeanor. She is constantly yearning for freedom. Todd’s long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin’s ward. Vocal range: Soprano 

Tobias Ragg (Teen) a poor simpleton youngster apprenticed to Pirelli and who finds a surrogate mother in Lovett. He is loyal, truthful and innocent to a fault with a heart of gold and a sharp eye. He does not trust Todd. Vocal range: Tenor

Beggar Woman (Lucy): (30s-50s) an eerie, poor soul living on the streets of London making her living prostituting herself to sailors at London docks. She is a deranged and schizophrenic woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret. She is actually Todd’s wife, unrecognizable, but a consistent character throughout the show. Her interjections go unheeded. Vocal range: Soprano 

Judge Turpin: (50 plus) a lecherous, corrupt and evil public official who portrays himself as sanctimonious. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning Todd. He lusts after Joanna. Vocal range: Bass/Baritone

The Beadle: (30s-50) a pompous public official, deeply loyal to Judge Turpin. He is eager, violent, unscrupulous and terrorizing. Vocal range: High Tenor

Adolfo Pirelli: (30s-40s) An Irish charlatan and former employee of Todd’s who has since developed a public persona as a flashy and flamboyant Italian barber. He is crooked, calculating and conniving with a hot temper. A comedic role. Both Italian and Irish accents are required. Vocal range: High Tenor

Ensemble: A strong ensemble needed for this show. They act as a Greek Chorus commenting on the action and augmenting the story. Some of the roles they will portray include; Storytellers, Townspeople, Police, Lunatics and Customers. The Ensemble gets ample opportunity for vocal challenges and is showcased throughout. ***We are casting less ensemble members than usual for this production! (Which means even more roles per actor)

Call Back Songs:

Sweeney and Lovett: A Little Priest (2:59-4:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I96RZh8108o

Anthony: Johanna (0:00-1:11) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mntp8LgUbJU

Johanna: Green Finch and Linnet Bird (0:00-0:46) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1GPRwr5boM

Toby: Not while I’m around (0:36-1:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHhubsZNexU

Beggar Woman: No Place Like London (1:36-2:20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTm9n6laEKE

Judge: Johanna (Mea Culpa) (0:00-0:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE5UZfSohHw

Beadle and Pirelli: Pirelli’s Entrance (3:50-4:15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdPkz2M3Vq8

*Most of this musical is singing and character relationships. British accents are not necessarily required but you may be asked to speak in a specific accent at auditions. Do your research! 

*We would prefer the cast to be 18+ (even Johanna and Toby) for auditions.

*Try to audition on the first night. This is very helpful for the directing team for planning efficient callbacks. No one wants to be there all night! 

We are also seeking all sorts of backstage personnel!

Ages and genders are flexible, at the discretion of the director. All races, colors, sizes, genders, gender-identities and experience levels welcome! Some actors may play multiple roles. Although this IS an audition, we’re not judgmental, and we hope you feel welcome here and have a great time. If cast, you will be compensated by the roar of applause and the joy of being part of the Acrosstown family.

About the ART:

Founded in 1980, the ART develops new talent, plays, audiences and ideas while also celebrating and revivifying the great plays of the past. The ART provides a safe place where people of all ages, genders, races, and beliefs can create unsafe theater– thinking people’s theatre– theater that transforms.

We continually respect, and challenge:

  • ourselves as actors, designers, artists and visionaries to achieve more,
  • our audiences as living, thinking and feeling human beings to engage more,
  • other local theaters and arts organizations to collaborate more,

…and by doing so, help nurture and develop Gainesville, Florida into the center of arts and culture in North Central Florida.

As a 501c3 non-profit organization, the ART is especially dedicated to providing multi-cultural opportunities to the members of our community. The theater is open to all and presents experiences for which there are no other venues in the area. It is also entirely volunteer-staffed and operated.