About the show:

Ages: 18-27 with limited roles for ages 12-17

Cast size: 15+ ensemble

Run-time: 2.75 hours

Background: Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony's, for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.

Attend the dark, witty and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to London seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him. 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!

Casting

Please note that auditioners are auditioning for a part in the show, not for a specific part. If there is only one part you are interested in or only one ensemble group you’re interested in being in (ensemble only, for example), please let us know on your audition sign-up form so that this information can be considered during casting.

Callback requests will be virtual and will be sent out after the final in-person audition. Virtual callbacks will be due by midnight on Sunday, October 6th. Casting emails will be sent out the following week.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals will begin on Monday, October 14th and will be held twice per week: Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00-9:00pm.

Rehearsals may increase in frequency, depending on need, as we get closer to the show. The cast will have advance notice of any scheduling changes.

The show will be performed February 21-23, 2023 at Tolman High School in Pawtucket, RI. The weeks of February 10-23 will be a “blackout period” and will contain mandatory evening rehearsals for all cast and crew members.

Click here for more details.

Finding Your Approximate Vocal Range

If you don’t know your range, or wonder if your range has changed, here is a tool that you can use to figure it out:

• Sing along with this video and make note of your lowest and highest comfortable note. Doesn’t need to be perfectly accurate, this is just an approximation.

• Tenor/Bass voices, start each section in the higher register of your voice (for the high-note exercise, only use your chest voice. No need to push into falsetto)

• Alto/Soprano voices, start each section in the light middle register of your voice.

• Disregard the voice type ranges at the end of the video, these are not accurate to how we’ll be voicing the cast!

Information Packet 

This document contains our audition requirements for both in-person and virtual auditions, as well as our expectations of cast members and staff and rehearsal and performance plans. If you are cast in the show, we will expect you to review this document before your first rehearsal.

Audition Sign-up

Read the info packet linked above, in full, before signing up for an audition slot.

Out of respect for everyone’s time, we require all actors to sign up for an audition slot, whether they are auditioning in person or submitting a virtual audition.

Audition Requirements

It is strongly recommended that all auditioners present the following components:

• Vocals:

  • A one-minute selection from a musical theatre song that shows off your voice.

  • If you would like to be considered for a lead role, please also prepare one of these cuts:

    • (materials will be posted one month prior to auditions)

  • Please be sure to choose selections that show your range and ability to its fullest!

  • We will not have an accompanist present, but you may bring a backing track if you would like.

• Acting: Memorize a side from the show (linked below). The alternate part of your side will be read by a panel member.

  • Acting Audition Sides

Please note: As there is not a dance component to this audition, please consider showcasing some physicality within your acting and/or vocal audition. This show will not feature “choreography” in a typical way, but will feature blocked movement.

If you have any special skills (ie. tumbling, acro, etc), please let our audition panel know so you can showcase them.

Featured Roles

Sweeney Todd

A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him. He is Johanna's father, singularly focussed on taking bloody revenge. Our story's tormented protagonist.

Vocal range top: Gb4; Vocal range bottom: F2

Mrs. Lovett

An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner. She falls in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture.

Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Anthony Hope

A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Todd return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna.

Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Johanna

A spritely girl, full of innocence, constantly yearning for freedom. Todd's long-lost daughter and Turpin's ward.

Vocal range top: A5; Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Tobias Ragg

A poor youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. He finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett.

Vocal range top: Ab4; Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Judge Turpin

A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning Todd.

Vocal range top: Gb4; Vocal range bottom: E2

The Beadle

A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Turpin.

Vocal range top: D5; Vocal range bottom: D3

Beggar Woman

A deranged and schizophrenic woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret.

Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: Ab3

Adolfo Pirelli

A flamboyant Italian rival barber; a charlatan with a secret past.

Vocal range top: C5; Vocal range bottom: B2

Jonas Fogg

The owner of Fogg's Asylum. He sells the hair of madmen to wigmakers.

Ensemble

Townspeople; Policemen; Lunatics