Sweeney Todd takes the stage at the Rivoli

SOUTH FALLSBURG – The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop presents, live onstage for six performances (August 11-13 and 18-20), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg.

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical thriller features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler and is based on the stage play by Christopher Bond. One of the darkest musicals ever written, Sweeney Todd is the unsettling tale of an unjustly exiled Victorian barber who returns to London seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife.

The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up…and the carnage has only just begun! Arguably Sondheim’s most perfect score, Sweeney Todd is lush, operatic, and full of soaring beauty, pitch-black comedy and stunning terror.

Director Harold Tighe and musical director Amy Phillips ably collaborate to bring the tale to the stage with producer Heather Strauss, choreography by Kimberly Schneeberger, costumes by Ed Berens, technical direction by Jim Schmidt, stage management by Amber Schmidt. Grace Summa is assistant stage manager and Sarah Clark handles properties.

The talented cast comprises Carlos Holden (Sweeney), Heather Strauss (Mrs. Lovett), Alexis Costa (Johanna), Becky Salerno (Tobias), Dylan Jones (Judge Turpin), Kristopher Rosengrant (Anthony), Joshua Rosengrant (Beadle), Kim Schneeberger (Lucy), Timothy Buckley (Pirelli), and Amber Schmidt (Fogg) with an ensemble including Gabby Almonte, Junior Almonte, Annay Ames-Shaw, Dolores Baker, Kevin Cerda, Amelia Gleyzer, Cole Phillips, Matthew Strauss, Lillian Tighe and Hannah Veety.

Performances of Sweeney Todd will be Friday and Saturday, August 11, 12, 18, and 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. at the Rivoli Theatre, 5243 Route 42 (Main Street), South Fallsburg., Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors (60+), students with valid ID, Military/Veterans. Don’t miss the Opening Night Special when all tickets are $10, good for the Friday, August 11performance only. Tickets will be available at the box office for all performances one hour prior to curtain or can be purchased in advance online at www.ShowTix4U.com. For additional information, phone (845) 436-5336, or log onto www.SCDW.net.

Sweeney Todd is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.