DEKALB, ILL, October 6, 2021 – Stage Coach Players (SCP) would like you in attendance at its theatre this fall when they present Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The thrilling musical opens October 14 and runs two weekends through October 24, 2021.
Written by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street takes place in Victoria-era London where Benjamin Barker, aka Sweeney Todd, has returned to exact his own brand of revenge and in the process assisting a woman who makes the worst pies in London create some of the tastiest!
Jeff Hall directs with Korey Miller and Mandi Sester as assistant directors along with vocal direction by Sandra Jozef and Orchestra direction from Judy O’Connor. The cast includes Jim Stahulak, who makes his SCP debut as Sweeney Todd. Terri Crain Goodman, last seen in SCP’s cabaret, “When I Grow Up,” plays Mrs. Lovett.
Also making SCP debuts are Zach Gibson (Anthony Hope) and Blake Malley (Pirelli). Craig Gustafson plays Judge Turpin and last directed August: Osage County for SCP. Cheri Heinz (The Beggar Woman) was last on stage with SCP in It’s A Wonderful Life, Toria Hollyn, who plays Johanna, performed last in SCP’s radio dramas last fall and featured in Ray Bradbury’s The Whole Town’s Sleeping. Tobias Ragg is played by Andrew Russo, last seen in SCP’s Mamma Mia. Jake Teeling plays Beadle Bamble and was in SCP’s “When I Grow Up,” this summer.
The remainder of the cast includes Lori Brubaker, Lhito Camson, Allison Duffin, Karla Gulke, Brienna Halterman, Janette Jacobs, David Kuhn, Alyssa Landshaft, Joel Ledbetter, John Linderoth, Robyn Lycan, Charlotte Sharp, Brad Shortridge, Kayla Smith, Jyllann Torres, Karli Waldrep, Christine Welch and Bethany Williams.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has also been recognized as a tough musical for actors. Both vocally and as an actor. “I have found so many layers and facets to Johanna,” Hollyn said. “I am hoping I am able to communicate all of these revelations to the audience. Every show has the potential to entertain and the potential to educate. As we are returning to live performances after a very long intermission, I will leave it to the audience to let our collective performance of art heal each individual as they most need right now.”
Goodman offered this about the tale of Sweeney Todd. “I feel that at the center of the story is a desire for justice that goes horribly wrong because of the bitterness and anger that is carried by Sweeney for so many years and then fed by the twisted desires of Mrs. Lovett.” She added, “And aren’t we all just a step or two away from vengeance as opposed to just us if we’re not careful.”
With Halloween right around the corner, SCP will also be holding a costume contest during each performance. The Fleet Street Costume Contest. You could win tickets to a future SCP show for the best costume! All ticket holders are eligible to participate on the day they come to the performance. Dress up as a scary creature, a superhero or perhaps your favorite barber or pie maker!
SCP will be collecting household and non-perishable food items for Cody’s Cupboard at Kishwaukee College before the performance on Saturday, October 16, 2021. SCP will be accepting boxed, canned, and plastic containers. Please no glass containers. SCP will also be collecting meals for the Salvation Army Food Pantry for Thanksgiving as they did last year. Look for more details!
Performances for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street are October 14 – 16, 2021 and October 21 – 23, 2021 with a curtain time of 7:30 p.m. along with Sunday matinees on October 17 and October 24, 2021, with a curtain time of 2:00. Tickets are $20 each or $18 for seniors and children aged 13 and under. Tickets are currently on sale through the box office phone at 815-758-1940. To purchase tickets, visit our online website at www.stagecoachplayers.com. You can also call the SCP box office which opens Sunday, October 9, 2021. The phone number is 815-758-1940. This show has adult themes and violence which may not be suitable for those under the age of 13.
Thank you for being understanding as SCP navigates Covid-19 guidelines. For this production, all who attend are asked to wear masks covering both their nose and mouth. If the state of Illinois guidelines change, our guidelines will change also. Thank you for helping us keep our patrons, cast and crew safe.
