Opera51 will present a semi staged version of Stephen Sondheim's classic Sweeney Todd in June 2025.  The two fundraiser performances are on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm and Sunday, June 8 at 2 pm at 51 Walden Street in Concord, MA.  We seek principals and covers for most leads and singers for the chorus.

Auditions are Saturday Nov 23rd 10am-5pm and Sunday Nov 24th 1-5pm in the Community Room at Newbury Court in Concord, MA.

Audition Handouts:

Opera51 Sweeney Todd info for auditioners 2024-11-21a.pdf

Opera51 Sweeney Todd schedule for auditioners 2024-11-21a.pdf

Opera51 Sweeney Todd questionnaire for auditioners 2024-11-21a.pdf

The production is semi-staged, off book, in costume, and with full orchestra.

This is a fundraiser performance, like all Opera51 events. Most company members are volunteers. Principals and solo ensemble members will be offered a modest stipend.

Tech Week:
Monday June 2nd – Orchestra 7 pm
Tue June 3rd – orchestra and principal/cover cast 7 pm
Wed June 4th – Sitzprobe with blocking 7 pm
Thur June 5th – Principal Dress 7 pm
Friday June 6th – Covers Dress 7 pm (full dress rehearsal with orchestra for covers, in costume, with a small invited audience)
Saturday June 7th – Performance 8 pm
Sunday June 8th – Performance 2 pm

Casting:

Sweeney Todd (Bari/Bass; lead is precast - cover only)
A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him. He is Johanna’s father, singularly focused on taking bloody revenge. Desperate and dangerous. Our story’s tormented protagonist.
Age reference: early 40s
Vocal range top: Gb4
Vocal range bottom: F2

Mrs. Lovett (Mezzo; lead is precast - cover only)
An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner. She is in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture. This role requires an actor with fierce acting ability and terrific comic timing - she is consistently the comic relief of the story.
Age reference: early 40s
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Judge Turpin (Bari/Bass)
A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for wrongfully imprisoning Todd in order to steal his wife.
Age reference: 50s-60s
Vocal range top: Gb4
Vocal range bottom: E2

Anthony Hope (Tenor)
A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Todd safely return home at the top of the show and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. His last name says it all - he is by far the most optimistic character in the show.
Age reference: 20s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Johanna (Soprano)
An energetic girl with a curious nature, full of innocence, constantly yearning for freedom. Sheltered and wide-eyed. Todd’s long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin’s ward.
Age reference: 18-20
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Tobias Ragg (Tenor)
A poor, scrappy youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. They find a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett.
Age reference: 12-15
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

The Beadle (Tenor)
A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Turpin. Petty and cruel.
Age reference: late 40s
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D3

Beggar Woman (Mezzo)
A mentally ill woman who lives on the street and harbors a dark, surprising secret.
Age reference: early 40s
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3

Pirelli (Tenor)
A flamboyant Italian rival barber; a charlatan with a secret past.
Age reference: 30s
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B2

Jonas Fogg (small speaking part)
The owner of Fogg’s Asylum. He sells the hair of the mentally ill to wigmakers.
Age reference: 30s

Chorus solos
5 men (3 tenors—2 Bari)
3 sopranos

The ensemble is a large, ever present, and important part of this story.
London Citizens: Poor families, just getting by. Street kids. Hardened criminals.
Entrepreneurs. Sailors. And the rare aristocrat who shouldn’t even be in this
neighborhood.
Vocal range top: Db6
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

If you are interested in receiving an audition time slot, please send a performer's resume and headshot to contact@opera51.org and indicate any scheduling constraints.

For your audition, please prepare a sung piece in English and a contrasting aria.  Bring a copy of the music for our pianist.

Last updated 11/22/2024