Sweeney Todd
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A Musical Thriller

 

Music and Lyrics by: STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Book by: HUGH WHEELER

 

From an Adaptation by: CHRISTOPHER BOND

Originally Directed On Broadway by: HAROLD PRINCE

Orchestrations by: JONATHAN TUNICK

Originally produced on Broadway by: Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean and Judy Manos

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PRESENTED AT THE DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE BY:

Executive Producer: Hugh Hallinan

Director: Bradford Blake

Music Director: Mark Ceppetelli

Costume Designer: Lesley Neilson-Bowman

Scenic Designer: David Kievit

Lighting Designer: Johanna Jackson

Sound Designer: Holly Rybnick

Musical Arrangement: Mark Ceppetelli

 

 

Cast

 

Perry Liu (Sweeney Todd)

Acting credits include: Off-Broadway What’s A Nice Country Like You…Doing In A State Like This?. Regional CT: Downtown Cabaret Theatre In The Heights (Kevin Rosario), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Dom Frollo), Phantom (Gérard Carrière), Legacy Theatre Just Desserts (Lou). Regional San Francisco: The Cradle Will Rock (Reverend Salvation) nominated S.F. Bay Area Critics Circle Award Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Directing credits include Off-Broadway Will Scheffer’s Late Nite with Commercial Break, John Lahr’s The Manchurian Candidate (U.S. Premiere). Writing credits: Outlaws, The Ballad of Billy The Kid which is currently being developed in the U.K. Perry and his wife, Susanna, are proud to be raising the next generation of performing artists – Isaac (actor) who has appeared on the DCT stage and Ian (musician).

 

Priscilla Squiers (Mrs. Lovett)

DCT: Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider), Mamma Mia (Donna). Musicals: ONCE (Baruska), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Shingle), Assassins (Emma Goldman), Annie (Hannigan), Ragtime (Emma Goldman), Titanic (Alice Beane), Sound of Music (Mother Abbess), Kiss Me Kate (Lilli/Kate), A Little Night Music (Charlotte), Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife) and The King and I (Anna). Dramatic credits: Agnes of God (Dr. Livingstone), The Exonerated (Sunny), Souvenir (Florence Foster Jenkins), Noises Off (Dotty Otley), Master Class (Maria Callas), The Belle of Amherst (Emily Dickinson), Dancing at Lughnasa (Kate) and A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Titania). For dear angels Luke Garrison and Virginia Squiers.

 

Charles Romano (Anthony Hope)

Charles Romano is ecstatic to be a part of his first production at DCT. He has previously worked with several CT-based theater organizations, most notably Musicals at Richter on Beauty and the Beast as the Beast, NewArts on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph, and at Newbury Musical Theatre Company in Shrek the Musical  as Lord Farquaad. Charles graduated from the Music and Theatre programs at Franklin & Marshall College where he was involved in several mainstage productions, including Legally Blonde as Emmett, and Our Country’s Good as Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark. Outside of the theater world, Charles teaches private voice and piano lessons, and releases music as a recording artist under the stage name “Chorlsy.” He wants to thank his family and friends for their never ending love and support.

 

Mark Feltch (Judge Turpin)

Previous roles include Big Jule in Guys and Dolls, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music, Marcus Lycus in …Forum, Joe Keller in All My Sons, and Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Regional credits in Christmas Carol and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Dallas Theater Center, The Front Page at the Alley Theatre, and Little Egypt at Stages Rep. Film roles in the western Bad Girls directed by Jonathan Kaplan, The Underneath directed by Steven Soderbergh, and the independent films Neurotic Cabaret and Into the Spider’s Web.

 

Maddy Flagg (Johanna)

Maddy Flagg is thrilled to join the cast of Sweeney Todd! Maddy is currently pursuing a BFA at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in NYC. Most recently she originated the role of Lisette in Quentin; A Roosevelt Musical. Her largest project to date was as Elle Woods in the Hartford Stage Summer production of Legally Blonde. In addition to her AMDA education, Maddy received vocal training at Hartt and 15 years of dance instruction at FVDM. Maddy wants to thank her friends, family members and colleagues who have supported her in her musical theater journey.

 

Isabel Sonnabend (Tobias Ragg)

Isabel Sonnabend (they/she) is thrilled to be making their Downtown Cabaret debut as Tobias! They most recently appeared as Roger in Rent at Center Stage Theatre. They received a BA in Theatre Arts this past spring from Clark University, where their credits included Emmett in Legally Blonde and Man 2 in Songs for a New World. They are currently studying at Columbia University, and plan to pursue an MS in Data Science.

 

Elias Levy (Adolfo Pirelli)

Elias Levy (he/him) is thrilled to make his DCT debut and return to musical theater with Sweeney Todd! His recent performances include the Mayor in Albert Herring (Chicago Summer Opera), Aegisth and Junger Diener in Elektra (Madison Lyric Stage), and Marco in The Gondoliers (Troupers Light Opera). He would like to thank his family and friends for their support, and the creative team for this wonderful opportunity. Much love to the cast and crew!

 

John Michael Whitney (Beadle Bamford)

JM returns to the DCT stage after appearing as Nicely-Nicely in last season’s Guys and Dolls.  He’s also been seen in numerous shows throughout the state of CT such as Ragtime, The Producers, Next to Normal, Evita, The Secret Garden, Seussical, Into the Woods, Jekyll and Hyde, Grease, Man of La Mancha, Gypsy, City of Angels, Miss Saigon, and many others.  However, his favorite role is being Uncle Johnny to 15 nieces and nephews, and 19 great-nieces and nephews!  Enjoy the show!

 

Carly Jurman (Beggar Woman)

Carly is a member of the Theatre for Youth Audiences Company at DCT, where she writes, directs, choreographs, and performs in multiple original shows per season. At DCT, she has also performed in Cabaret, choreographed RENT, and assistant directed We Will Rock You. She was a resident performer in Diane Paulus’ The Donkey Show at the American Repertory Theatre for several years. She also serves as the Artistic Assistant at Celebration Barn Theater producing workshops with leading artists such as Bill Irwin and SITI Company. Carly holds an M.A. from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In 2019, she was nominated for an Off-West End Award for her solo show, Unlovable. Up next at DCT, she is writing, directing, choreographing and performing as Mrs. Kringle in Santa Story 2.

 

Leanne Onofrio (Ensemble)

Leanne is thrilled to be joining the cast of Sweeney Todd. She is a graduate of Marywood University earning her BA in musical theatre. Favorite roles include The Light in the Piazza (Clara) and Children of Eden (Yonah). Leanne has performed in NYC cabarets as well as working as a professional actress, singer, stage manager, and director in Connecticut. She thanks her family and friends for their support and hopes you enjoy the show!

 

Em Lubbers (Ensemble)

Em Lubbers is thrilled to be “attending the tale” in her DCT debut! She is a recent graduate with a BFA from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and studied both in NYC and LA. You may have recently seen her as Jan in Grease at Musicals at Richter. Her favorite credits include The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), Peter Pan (Tinker Bell), and Urinetown (Ensemble). She would like to thank Brad, Mark, Lauren and her wonderful cast and crew of this Sondheim classic! She would also love to thank her friends and family for their continuous support!

 

Jessica Nivison (Ensemble)

Jessica Nivison is thrilled to be making her DCT debut this fall. Most recently, she is a proud graduate of Hofstra University, graduating with a  BFA in Acting and a minor in musical theater. Recent credits include The Women of Lockerbie (Madeline), Hamlet (Gertrude), and State Fair (Emily Arden). And, when not on the stage, Jessica is also a teaching artist and youth choreographer, working on numerous productions and workshops across Fairfield County. She sends her love and admiration to the entire cast and crew; what a bloody delight the project has been! @jess_nivison on Instagram.

 

Caroline DiGiulio (Ensemble)

Caroline Anne DiGiulio (19) is delighted to be doing her second show with Downtown Cabaret Theatre. She has been performing in musical theatre shows since she was 7. Some of her most recent productions include The Wedding Singer (Holly), Les Miserables (Fantine), Mean Girls (Cady Heron), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), as well as We Will Rock You ( Tina/Oz & Scaramouche Swing) this past June at the DCT. She is also a singer/songwriter and makes music as well as attending school at the University of Connecticut. Her music can be found on any streaming platform under the artist name RADR.

 

Carl Cannella (Ensemble, u/s Mr. Fogg, The Beadle, Pirelli)

Carl is incredibly proud to be making his DCT debut in this beautiful bear of a show. Carl lives in East Windsor with his cat, Selina, and fulfills the Connecticut stereotype of working in the insurance industry. Favorite past roles include Leo Frank (Parade), Tom Collins (Rent), Igor (Young Frankenstein), Dave Bukatinsky (The Full Monty), Wayne Hopkins (Puffs), Officer Murdoch (Titanic: The Musical), Trekkie Monster (Avenue Q), Eddie (Champagne & Licorice), and Brad Majors (Rocky Horror). He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support.

 

Samuel Bal (Ensemble)

Samuel Bal is really excited to be in the theater production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Samuel has performed in shows in the past including:  Curtains (2018), The Good Doctor (2018), Chicago (2019), Bye Bye Birdie (2020), Mamma Mia (2021), Beauty and The Beast (2022), Anastasia (2023) and The Christmas Carol (2023). He is very excited to be performing his first role at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.

 

Kristopher De La Cruz (Ensemble)

Kristopher De La Cruz is thrilled to be part of the ensemble in Sweeney Todd. With over 20 years of performing arts experience, his favorite roles include Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Young Fool in Big River. His theatrical roots began in Hawaii, where he appeared in Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, and South Pacific. This production marks his mainland debut! He’s sung with Lea Salonga (twice!), designs for NBC Sports, and co-directs the choir at Faith Church, where he led music in Easter and Christmas productions. Thanks to his wife Lisa and their two kids!

 

Ron St. John, III (Ensemble)

Ron St. John, III has been performing in theaters around Northern Vermont since 2014. He has played leading and supporting roles in many musicals, studying classical and musical theatre singing styles at the Crane School of Music. He is thrilled to have his first performance in Connecticut with Downtown Cabaret in Sweeney, a long-time bucket list show for him! He is incredibly thankful to work with this welcoming and talented cast and crew. He dedicates this performance to his father, a lover of the gorgeous melodies of Sweeney and Sacha Baron Cohen.

 

Chris Hetherington

Chris Hetherington is excited to be returning to the DCT stage having recently appeared as Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls. Favorite credits include Mamma Mia! (Bill Austin), Little Shop of Horrors (Voice of Audrey II), and Legally Blonde (Callahan).  Chris would like to dedicate his performance to the memory of his Dad who instilled in him a great love of music and theater. Much love and thanks to Tricia for her unwavering support.  He’d also like to thank the cast, staff and crew for another amazing experience. Finally, thanks to our wonderful audiences for continuing to support live, local theater!

 

Band

 

Conductor/Pianist: Mark Ceppetelli

Reeds: Harry Kliewe

Violinist: Phoebe Suzuki

 

Production Staff

 

Executive Producer: Hugh Hallinan

Director: Bradford Blake

Music Director: Mark Ceppetelli

Costume Designer: Lesley Neilson-Bowman

Scenic Designer: David Kievit

Lighting Designer: Johanna Jackson

Sound Designer: Holly Rybnick

Musical Arrangement by: Mark Ceppetelli

Production Stage Manager: Lauren Elise Fisher

Deck Chief: Kaitlyn Herr

Props Master: Allison Parker

Costume Design Assistant: Kyra Proto

Head Costume Technician: Carmen Gadson

Lead Dressers: Krista Rocco, Thomas Gordon

Dresser: Jenny Maso, Isabelle Capone

Show Caller: Emily Pisarra

Spot Op: Anya Corso, Anthony Melchoire

Scenic Charge: Angelina Avallone

 

Theatre Staff

 

Executive Producer: Hugh Hallinan

Executive Assistant: Carly Jurman

Company Manager: Lauren Elise Fisher

Box Office Manager: Matt Mihalcsik

Front of House Manager: Vicki Kieffer-Rinkerman

Box Office Staff: Dayquinn Miller

Front of House Staff: Sonja Hennessy, Jesse Costa, Geri Crolla, Natasha Bryan & Elijah Smith

Bookkeeper: Karen Rizzo

Social Media: Carly Jurman

Marketing & Graphic Design By: The Bananaland

 

Special Thanks to the Taft School and Andrea Pane.

 

SWEENEY TODD

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

www.MTIshows.com

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.