Press Release: Cotuit Center for the Arts announces auditions for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Cotuit Center for the Arts will hold open auditions for its fall production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” on Saturday, April 13; 4:00–7:00pm, and Sunday, April 14; 1:00-4:00pm. Auditions will be held in the Art Studio on the CCftA campus at 4404 Falmouth Road in Cotuit.

These auditions are for the principal roles as described below. Auditions for the ensemble will take place at a later date. Actors should come prepared to sing a memorized selection from those available via this link (an accompanist will be provided):

https://artsonthecape.org/explore/auditions-sweeney-todd

You may also be asked to read from one of the audition sides, also available on the website.

SYNOPSIS:

Evil Judge Turpin lusted for the beautiful wife of a London barber and transported him to Australia for a crime he did not commit. Returning after 15 years, calling himself Sweeney Todd, the now-mad man vows revenge, applying his razor to unlucky customers and shuttling the bodies down to Mrs. Lovett, who uses them in her meat-pie shop. Though many fall to his blade, he will not be satisfied until he slits Turpin's throat.

ROLES:

Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker (Baritone)

Morose and vengeful; a barber by profession returns to London, after fifteen years of unjust incarceration in an Australian penal colony, to seek revenge first on the corrupt judge who sent him there, and then on all his clients.

Nellie Lovett (Contralto/Mezzo)

A cheerful, talkative, but amoral restaurateur; Todd's landlady, but enamored of him.

Anthony Hope (Tenor)

A young, naïve sailor who has rescued Todd and falls in love with Johanna Barker.

Johanna Barker (Soprano)

Todd's beautiful young daughter, claimed by Judge Turpin as his ward.

Judge Turpin (Baritone/Bass)

A corrupt judge who was first infatuated with Lucy Barker, and later with her daughter Johanna.

Tobias Ragg (Tenor)

A simpleton who works first for con-man Pirelli, and then for Mrs. Lovett, but does not trust Todd.

Beadle Bamford (Tenor)

Turpin's right-hand man and accomplice.

Beggar Woman/Lucy/Pirelli (Mezzo)

A mad crone whose interjections go unheeded, eventually identified as Benjamin Barker's wife, Lucy, who was raped by Judge Turpin doubles as Pirelli, An Irish charlatan and former apprentice of Benjamin Barker who has since developed a public persona as a flashy Italian barber; he attempts to blackmail Todd, but is immediately killed.

Performance Dates:

October 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27

Directed by Mary Arnault

Produced by David Kuehn

Music Director Malcolm Granger

Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information, visit www.artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.

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What:

Auditions for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Where:

Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit

When:

Saturday, April 13; 4:00–7:00pm

Sunday, April 14; 1:00-4:00pm

END