Sweeney Todd at McGregor Hall

Show and Auditions Information

About the Show

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, originally published in 1979, is a musical play by Hugh Wheeler with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The play follows murderous barber Sweeney Todd, who seeks revenge against the corrupt Judge Turpin for wrongfully incarcerating him in order to steal Todd’s wife. Wheeler and Sondheim use this tale to examine the exploitation and retaliation of the working class, the perils of obsession, and the tension between tenderness and wrath.

Sondheim was inspired to write a musical based on the Sweeney Todd character popularized in penny dreadfuls after seeing a reinterpretation by playwright Christopher Bond. Wheeler, who had previously collaborated with Sondheim on the book for A Little Night Music, lent his talent for mystery fiction to the book for Sweeney Todd

After the musical opened on Broadway in 1979, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical, the Tony Award for Best Book, and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It was adapted into a film by Tim Burton in 2007, starring his frequent collaborators Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett.

The production will be featured as part of the 2025-26 McGregor Live! Season Package, and will feature a large-scale set, custom costumes, and will be accompanied by a live professional orchestra.

Important Dates

Auditions: You may choose to initially audition on Saturday, August 9 at 10am, on Sunday, August 10 at 7pm, or Monday, August 11 at 7pm at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. All participants must register prior to auditioning (see instructions below). Enter through the stage door on the corner of Wyche and West Winder Streets in downtown Henderson. There is ample parking beside the theater. You may also choose instead to submit an initial audition by video (instructions are included as part of the registration form), though in-person auditions are strongly encouraged.. A 32-bar prepared solo is required for video auditions and for anyone who has not previously performed in a musical at McGregor Hall. An accompanist will be provided for in-person prepared piece performances..

Callbacks: Thursday, August 14 at 7pm at McGregor Hall.

Rehearsals: Rehearsals will begin in early September (TBA)

Performances: Saturday, November 1 (7:30pm), Sunday, November 2 (2:00pm), Saturday, November 8 (2pm), and Sunday, November 9 (2pm)

Production Team

Director/Musical Director/Producer: Mark Hopper

Assistant Director: Sharon Hopper

Choreographers: Freddie-Lee Heath, Sharon Hopper

Technical Director: Matt Nowell

Stage Manager: Gee Burns

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT info@mcgregorhall.org

Resources

  • Roles and Ranges for the show are available in this document

  • A complete cast recording of the original Broadway production of the show is available at this link

Auditions

Everyone ages 14 & older are welcome to audition.

You will be taught musical material from the show and will be given cold reads. If you have not previously performed in a musical at McGregor Hall, please prepare approximately up to 32 bars of a relevant song that demonstrates your singing ability. Bring your sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. Alternately, you may submit a video of your singing a prepared piece. Directions for video auditions appear in the context of the registration form.

You also will be taught a simple dance combination as part of a group dance audition. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes.

McGregor Hall and the Henderson Rec Players are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As such, all performers are encouraged to audition, but especially actors with identities historically excluded from the performing arts.

Register for Auditions

To register for auditions:

  1. Create or login to your existing McGregor Hall Engage account at engage.suran.com/mcgregorhall

  2. Visit engage.suran.com/mcgregorhall again and log in to your account

  3. IMPORTANT: Once logged in, you’ll need to follow the registration link.

    PHONE: Click the “More” dropdown menu and the top of your screen and choose “New Registration.”

    DESKTOP: Look at the top right-hand side of your screen, click the three lines beside your name, scroll to the bottom of the menu, and choose “New Registration.”

  4. Return to your account at engage.suran.com/mcgregor-hall to upload a headshot if you would like (recommended).