The Wimberley Players will be holding auditions for the acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” on April 5 and 6.
The Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning musical thriller that has captured audiences since its 1979 Broadway debut is finally coming to Wimberley and will be directed by Todd Allen Martin with musical direction by Carole Hofstad.
With music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, “Sweeney Todd” follows the tale of an unjustly exiled barber, who, upon return to London, discovers a lustful local judge has framed him and harmed his young wife. On a quest for revenge, Sweeney crosses paths with Mrs. Lovett, who runs a failing meat shop and encourages him to open a new barber shop — as she assists him in making pies with one mysterious and troubling new ingredient.
“Directing ‘Sweeney Todd’ has been a lifelong dream project of mine, and it’s exciting and fulfilling to see it begin to come to life,” director Todd Allen Martin said. “It remains one of the most beloved musicals of all time for good reason and has had at least six West End and Broadway revivals. With its gorgeous, sweeping score, powerful and thought-provoking themes and complexly drawn characters, it has a way of capturing audiences everywhere and delivering a story they won’t soon forget.”
Wimberley Players Board President Elaine Cardenas added: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a time-honored story of this scale and magnitude — with this kind of staying power — to audiences here in Wimberley.”
Auditions will be held at the theater located at 450 Old Kyle Road. Both Saturday and Sunday auditions will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with callbacks to be held April 12 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Video auditions will also be accepted through Saturday, April 5.
The production team requests that those who wish to audition sign up with the form found at this link: forms.gle/CNZYwhHv7QLnKTn27.
Prospective actors should also prepare one musical theater song no longer than three minutes, Sondheim preferred. Women are asked to prepare a 90-second comedic monologue and men a 90-second dramatic monologue.
Martin said music rehearsals for all lead characters will begin the week of April 21, with staging and ensemble rehearsals to begin May 5.
The show is set to open July 11 and run until Aug. 3, with Friday and Saturday night curtains at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance online for all “Sweeney Todd” performances at app.arts-people.com/index. php?show=249575. All performers will be offered a stipend.
“Sweeney Todd” is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (mtishows.com).
Established in 1979, The Wimberley Players is a nonprofit community theater dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Wimberley, and its surrounding communities. Through engaging performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives, The Wimberley Players strives to foster a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
