OPEN CALL AUDITIONS FOR SWEENEY TODD
The Little Theatre of Manchester is seeking a diverse and multi-racial cast for its November production of Sweeney Todd.
Book by Hugh Wheeler; Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Director: John Pike; Musical Director: Kim Aliczi
Performance Dates: November 7-8-9, 14-15-16, and 21-22-23
Rehearsals Begin: August 24, 2025 (approx.)
All Roles Open:
Principals: 7 men / 3 women / Male & Female ensemble (approx. 20)
Audition Location:
Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT
Audition dates:
Sunday, June 8th: starting at 6:00pm.
Monday, June 9th: starting at 6:00pm
Tuesday, June 10th: starting at 6:00 pm
Those auditioning MUST sign up for a time period online: Please follow the link below.
Tapes and walk-ins will not be accepted.
Callback Date: Thursday, June 12th: Times to be determined
Audition Requirements
If you are interested in
A Principal Role: Prepare 1 minute of a musical theatre song and 1 minute of a ballad. A piano accompanist will be provided.
Please audition with a traditional musical theatre song (not from the SWEENEY score). Because the work is semi-classical in nature, pop songs are strongly discouraged.
An Ensemble-Only Role: Prepare 1 minute of a musical theatre song. (Not Pop)
1. Wear loose, clothing that is comfortable to move in for a simple group movement call that will follow singing auditions.
2. Bring a headshot and resume if you have one.
3. Bring a list of all potential conflicts including travel, etc. Any conflicts with the posted schedule must be agreed to by the Director before casting can be confirmed.
__________________________________________________________
Please direct specific questions about audition requirements to:
a2FsaWN6aSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t.
Questions specific to John Pike, should be directed to
am9obnBpa2UxIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= after May 31st.
For additional information on the producing organization please go to: www.cheneyhall.org/
Character Breakdown (All ages are approximate)
PRINCIPAL MALE ROLES
SWEENEY TODD (Male 40-50 – Strong Baritone)
Dramatic actor who sings very well
A barber, recently escaped from prison after being wrongfully jailed for fifteen years. Previously a loving husband and father he is now consumed by loss and revenge. He has returned to London to right the wrongs committed against him, his wife, and his daughter. Hot-tempered and ferocious yet vulnerable.
ANTHONY HOPE (Male 25- 35 - Tenor)
Dramatic actor who sings very well.
Youthful sailor who helps Sweeney return to London and unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. Idealistic, romantic and a little reckless. His passions sometimes overshadow his reason and his enthusiasm sometimes makes him unintentionally comedic.
TOBIAS RAGG: (Male 15- 22 – Lyric Tenor)
Dramatic actor who sings very well.
A street waif apprenticed to Pirelli and then to Mrs Lovett. Eager to please and uneducated, but innately clever and observant. Toby responds quickly to the kindness of Lovett but grows increasingly suspicious of Sweeney.
JUDGE TURPIN (Male 50 - 70, Strong Baritone/Bass)
Strong Dramatic actor/singer.
A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian. Takes advantage of his position to imprison Todd, taking Johanna as his ward. Embodies Puritanical hypocrisy: he lusts after Johanna, even as he professes to keep her innocent.
BEADLE BAMFORD (Male 30-45, High Tenor – Countertenor with strong falsetto)
Comedic actor who sings.
A pompous public official responsible for the health and safety of London. Possesses a dry, deadpan sense of humor and enjoys wielding his power. Deeply loyal to Turpin but really believes himself superior to the judge. Loves singing children’s nursery rhymes, which remind him of his youth.
SENIOR PIRELLI (Male 30 - 45, Tenor)
Comic character actor with a strong tenor (possibly counter tenor)
Former employee of Sweeney’s who has become a flamboyant “world-famous Italian barber.” A charlatan who challenges other barbers to shaving contests, Pirelli is charming, calculating. Does not take lightly to being publicly embarrassed by Sweeney. Italian and Irish dialect.
JONAS FOGG (Male 30 – 60 Baritone – possible non-singing)
Comic character actor.
As an asylum owner, Fogg sells the hair of inmates to wigmakers. Considers the inmates “children” and takes pleasure in showing them off to visitors. An authoritarian who is really a coward at heart.
PRINCIPAL FEMALE ROLES
MRS. NELLIE LOVETT
(Female 37 – 50, Alto with warmth but can belt)
Dramatic Comedienne with a strong belt
An entrepreneurial meat pie shop owner who is a survivor. Desperately in love with Todd hoping that he’ll forget the past and build a new life with her. Lovett turns Sweeney’s desire for revenge into a profitable business venture. She is resourceful, ambitious, charismatic with great comedic timing.
JOHANNA (Female 18-25, Lyric Soprano)
Comedienne who sings well.
Todd's long-lost daughter and Judge Turpin's young ward who is largely homebound. She has a rebellious, romantic streak and longs to escape her confinement. Johanna is aware that Judge Turpin isn’t her real father and suspects that he might be a predator. Her “flightiness” and inability to focus can be very comic.
BEGGAR WOMAN (Female 40-50 Strong Operatic Soprano)
Dramatic actor who sings very well.
A poor soul living on the streets who supports herself by begging and prostituting herself to sailors. She has occasional flashes of lucidity and distrusts Mrs. Lovett. Like the oracle Cassandra, she is the only one who sees what’s happening, but no one will listen to her.
___________________________________________________________
MALE AND FEMALE ENSEMBLE ROLES
These are individual members and characters of the City of London. This is a group of all ages and types. All must sing well, and most be required to sing solo at some point in the production.
A Greek Chorus, commenting on the action and participating as the tale’s chief storytellers. They become customers, townspeople, police, inmates, Sweeney’s thoughts, and Sweeney’s victims. There is a haunting feeling of them always lurking, watching and judging. A mix of sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones, and basses.
You may also like the following events from Little Theatre of Manchester, Inc.:
Also check out other
Arts events in Manchester,
Theatre events in Manchester,
Entertainment events in Manchester.
