BWW Preview: SWEENEY TODD to Thrill Audiences on Cape Cod this Fall

The leaves are falling off their branches, there is a crispness in the cool fall air that signifies the approach of a new season, and with that comes a new and exciting repertoire of theatrical productions on Cape Cod, one of which is happening right in the heart of Orleans. The Academy Playhouse, a group that has been bringing quality theater to the Cape Cod community for over forty years, is proud to present its next exciting production of Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. With quite a beautiful yet challenging score and one of the most deliciously evil yet profound plots in the history of music theater, the Academy rises to the challenge to stage this killer of a musical for the start of its fall season, and with this ambitious endeavor comes the dedicated and talented cast that will make it all happen - familiar faces that have called the Academy their home for quite some time. Knowing this, Sweeney is undoubtedly bound to both delight and frighten audiences this fall.

Alexander Perry plays Sweeney Todd, a vengeful barber once unfairly exiled because of another man's desire for his wife Lucy (played by Yoe Perry). Years later, and upon his return, he discovers that the life he knew is no more. His wife has apparently poisoned herself, and his daughter Johanna (Caroline Clancy) has become the captive ward of the man who took his life away so many years ago: the tyrannical judge (Peter Milsky). With his life in shambles, the barber formerly known as Benjamin Barker becomes Sweeney Todd, who vows to make the Judge pay for the grief he has caused him.

With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Sara Sneed) and upon the insistence of Anthony, the young sailor who rescued him (Jeremy Racine), a woman with a less-than-successful pie business in the heart of London, the two devise a deliciously maniacal plan to use the fair citizens of London to their advantage, leading them to the Judge in a way that is sure to both delight and intrigue audiences. Directed by Peter Earle and musically directed by Chris Morris, this is sure to be quite the ideal treat for the upcoming Halloween season, whether you are familiar with the show or not.

Sweeney Todd features many particularly memorable musical numbers such as "The Worst Pies in London," "My Friends," "God That's Good!" and numerous renditions of "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" that are both simultaneously eerie yet beautiful in their musical style.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is set to open at the Academy Playhouse, located at 120 Main Street in Orleans, on Friday, October 9th, and will run thru November 15th. Performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 PM, with Sunday matinees at 2 PM. Tickets are $26 and can be purchased either in person at the box office, by calling (508) 255.1963 or by visiting www.apacape.org.

Please come and support a wonderful theater group and its fantastic performances this fall!

To post a comment, you must register and login.