With the closing of Salesianum’s fall play Emily Bronte: Teenage Necromancer, Salesianum begins to work on the Sondhiem classic, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The story takes place in 18th century London where a young barber, Benjamin Barker, is exiled by a wicked judge. After fifteen horrid years in Australia, he makes his way back to London with a young sailor named Anthony. Under the alias Sweeney Todd, Benjamin is hell-bent on revenge, and he is prepared to take out anyone who may be stuck in his way. On his mission he meets a baker named Mrs. Lovett and let’s just say they cook up something so good, you could say it’s hand-crafted. This story of revenge and blood-lust fits perfectly into this year’s theme of gothic horror. With ghosts in the fall and vampires coming in the spring, it felt fitting to add in a “Demon” barber during the winter. Sweeney Todd is one of the largest and most exciting shows done in Salesianum Theater history. Here is what the director, Mr. Bogad, had to say, “Stephen Sondhiem is the best to ever do this art form. Sweeney is among his best efforts at it. Hundreds of years from now, if we still have music and theater, we’ll still have this show and it will be an example of what it meant to make art in the 20th century… Given its essential greatness, it has to be “big”.” When it comes to theatrical production, it sometimes feels as though only one proper position is set in place, director.
However Salesianum theater is attempting to put an end to this through dramaturgical processes. This process gives insight into what the story, even one as intricate as Sweeney Todd, truly means and what needs to be done in order for the show to not only be successful but also truthful. The head of the dramaturgs, Ms. Lantz, had this to say about what this show is trying to convey to not only the everyday person, but to our community as well, “I think this show relates a to our theme of “Ever Onward” overall in that one of the central themes of this show is the fine line between passion and obsession. The story of Benjamin Barker/ Sweeney Todd encourages us to think about the commitments we’ve made in our own lives and whether or not we are working toward them with intentions that align with our values.”
I would like to highlight the student-leadership of this production. Along with the cast and crew consisting of students, we have many student leaders that make this show possible. Although there are many, there are three I would like to highlight. Jack Cunningham and Meghan Norman are co-stage managers. In simple terms this means that they make sure that the show runs smoothly throughout its entirety. Not having them there is a reality I would not care to think about. I would also like to shout out Cam Cairns as he works as our producer. The Salesianum theater production of Sweeney Todd will be one for the books, and a must see for anyone who enjoys murder, mayhem, cannibalism, revenge, and everything else that someone could ask for. Therefore, on behalf of the cast, I call you, reading these very words to Attend the Tale!
