Free Casting Calls and Auditions

Sweeney Todd – Open Call
Networks Presentations
Non-Equity National Tour

This innovative production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical masterpiece features a multi-talented, musical instrument-playing cast. It opened on Broadway during the 2005-06 season.

SEEKING:
SWEENEY TODD-Male, 40s-50s, any ethnicity. Instruments: orchestra bells, must play acoustic guitar or trumpet well. A murderous barber, he finds vengeance in his blades by systematically slitting the throats of all his enemies. He is consumed by his thirst for blood. Strong bass-baritone up to an F singing voice.
MRS. LOVETT-Female, 40s-50s, any ethnicity. Instruments: orchestra bells, basic tuba. Worn-down owner of a pie shop on Fleet Street. Hard-edged but with a sense of humor. Lovett aids Sweeney in his massacre by making meat pies out of his victims. Strong alto or mezzo-soprano singing voice. Ability to read music is a plus.
JUDGE-Male, 40s-50s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent trumpet player and percussion. Contemporary of Sweeney’s and the man responsible for his downfall. Pompous, self-centered and powerful. He plans to wed his charge Johanna Strong baritone singing voice.
JOHANNA-Female, 20s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent cellist. Young, ingénue. Sweeney’s daughter. Young, innocent, romantic and beautiful. She becomes the ward of the Judge who wants to make her his wife. Beautiful soprano singing voice (to Db).
ANTHONY-Male, 20s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent cellist and good pianist. Young, modern romantic. A sailor who meets and helps Sweeney on his return to London. He falls in love with Johanna. Strong tenor or baritenor singing voice.
TOBIAS-Male, 20s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent violinist , good clarinetist, piano. Young and vulnerable. Assistant to Pirelli, he is an orphan. He comes to view Mrs. Lovett as a surrogate mother figure. He is the glass through which this production is viewed. Strong tenor singing voice.
BEADLE-Male, 30s-50s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent pianist and accompanist, good trumpet or clarinet or soprano sax player. Sleazy, menacing. Henchman of the Judge. Serving as the Judge’s right-hand man, he can be subtly terrifying or outright threatening. Strong Baritone-tenor singing voice. Functions as on stage musical director.
PIRELLI-Female, 30s-40s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent accordion, piano, and flute player. An Italian traveling salesperson/ scam artist. Also plays nurse/overseer in insane asylum Long-winded and brazen. Strong mezzo-soprano or soprano singing voice.
BEGGAR WOMAN-Female, 30s-40s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent clarinetist, good pianist. Once glamorous, she’s a mentally unstable homeless woman and prostitute. It turns out that she is the wife of Sweeney. Strong soprano singing voice (to Db) with strong belt voice.
FOGG-Male or Female, 30s-50s, any ethnicity. Instruments: excellent upright double bass player. Plays with low ‘c’ extension. The stern head of the Asylum for the mentally insane where Johanna gets put away. Sings in ensemble numbers. Strong Baritone singing voice.

Open call for Singers who play instruments well and Musicians who sing well- Monday May 5, 2008 at 10:00am.
Auditions will be held at Chelsea Studios (151 W26th Street, New York, NY).

Please prepare a classical piece WITH YOUR INSTRUMENT. Please also prepare a short song to sing in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring picture and resume stapled together.

Originally reconceived by John Doyle
Directed by Adam John Hunter
Musical Supervision by David Loud
Original Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim/Book: Hugh Wheeler
Casting by Dave Clemmons Casting
Produced by Networks Presentations. Rehearsals begin August/September 2008; tour opens end of September 2008 and is booked through June 2009. All positions are paid