Take one part revenge, one part cannibalism, and one part love story and mix them together with multiple parts exquisite music and what do you get?
Anyone who is a fan of musical theater knows that you get the Tony Award winning musical 'Sweeney Todd.'
Town and Country Players production of Sweeney Todd, directed by Nancy Ridgeway with musical direction by Don Tenenblatt, will open Nov. 2 with further performances on Nov. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17.
Sweeney Todd, the fictional character, had his genesis as a murderer in a Victorian penny dreadful called ˜the String of Pearls, which ran in 18 weekly installments in London in 1846.
Scholars have argued whether Sweeney Todd is solely a fictional character, or if he is an actual historical figure.
Either way, the character was too compelling and frightening to ignore, and he evolved from a staple in Victorian melodrama into the anti hero Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
In 1979, the musical, 'Sweeney Todd', had its Broadway debut with lyrics by Hugh Wheeler and music by Stephen Sondheim. Since then, Sweeney Todd has played to audiences around the world horrifying them with its demonic characters and the brutality of their lives and thrilling them with Sondheims glorious music.
Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney Todd, returns to 19th century London after spending 15 years falsely imprisoned at the Botany Bay penal colony in Australia. Barker was sent there by a corrupt judge who coveted Barkers wife, Lucy. Barker returns to the news that Judge Turpin had raped his wife who committed suicide as a result. Barkers young daughter Johanna has been adopted by the judge and his now is ward.
A local pie maker, Nellie Lovett, is the helpful informant who supplies the news which drives the already unstable Barker over the edge. In a sinister partnership with Mrs. Lovett, he assumes the identity of the barber, Sweeney Todd, and they begin their murderous rampage to seek revenge.
The story moves into its darkest moments as Todd begins to murder his patrons by dropping them out of his barber chair through a trap door in the floor into the basement. If the fall doesnt smash their heads or break their necks, Todd runs to the basement to slit their throats with his razor.
Todd and Lovetts partnership reveals its mutual benefit as Mrs. Lovett saves her failing business by using the bodies of Todds victims to supply the meat for her pies.
Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be ordered online at their website or by calling 215-348-7566.