Overview

Synopsis

One of the darkest musicals ever written, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race, murdering as many people as he can, while his business associate Mrs. Lovett bakes the bodies into meat pies and sells them to the unsuspecting public. Perhaps composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s most perfect score, Sweeney Todd is lush, operatic, and full of soaring beauty, pitch-black comedy and stunning terror. It’s one of the signal achievements of the American musical theater of the last 50 years, and it’s the high-water mark of Sondheim’s six remarkable collaborations with director Harold Prince.

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1979
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy, Horror
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period, Spectacle
Time & Place
19th century London, Fleet Street and environs
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Optional
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Late Teen, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Sweeney Todd

Lead

Male

Bass-Baritone, Baritone

Anthony Hope

Lead

Male

Tenor

Johanna

Lead

Female

Soprano

Mrs. Lovett

Lead

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Judge Turpin

Supporting

Male

Bass, Bass-Baritone

Adolfo Pirelli

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Tobias Ragg

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Beggar Woman

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Beadle Bamford

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Bird Seller

Featured

Male

Spoken

Jonas Fogg

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Not Specified

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

Act Two

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    A ballad is a song style that tells a story through simple, lyrical verses and a steady rhythm. In theatre, ballads are often slow and emotional, allowing characters to reveal deep feelings or reflect on personal journeys. They can be used to highlight romance, longing, or moments of dramatic intensity.

    A genre that combines elements of humor and morbidity, exploring serious themes through satire or irony.

    A combination of tones that creates tension or a lack of harmony, often used for dramatic effect.

    A sudden realization or insight experienced by a character, often marking a turning point.

    Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.

    A recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, idea, or emotion. Frequently used in opera and musical theatre, leitmotifs help reinforce narrative continuity and emotional cues for the audience.

    A dramatic genre with exaggerated characters and emotions, often including music to enhance moral and emotional stakes.

    A new production of a previously performed play or musical, often reinterpreting its themes or updating its design.

    A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.

    Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), which influenced theatrical style, costume, and themes.

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