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Sweeney Todd, played by junior Derek Crisp, is revealed for the first time in the opening song, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd.”
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Junior Alice Fulton belts “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir.”
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Sophomore Keira Hoisington portrays Johanna as she wishes for freedom in her lament, “Green Finch and Linnet Bird.” The role was difficult, but an exciting challenge for Hoisington. “There are some high notes in my solos that were difficult but fun to learn. […] Our wonderful vocal director, Mr. Parrish, was so supportive and helpful the entire show process,” she said.
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Junior Lily Schaumburg performs as Mrs. Lovett, an energetic bakery shop owner and Todd’s partner in crime.
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Crisp and Schaumburg sing the final note in the Act I closing song, “A Little Priest.”
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The cast reach towards a coveted meat pie in the Act II opening song, “God, That’s Good!”
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Crisp as Sweeney Todd, slits the throat of an unknowing barber shop patron played by Senior Fletch Anderson.
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Seniors Casey Piston, Elle Winings and Parker McGill look grimly towards the audience.
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Schaumburg sings Mrs. Lovett’s song, “By the Sea,” where she shares her future plans of living by the sea to an uninterested Todd.
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Senior Angela Chen plays Tobias (Toby) Ragg as he uncovers the secret to Mrs. Lovett’s famous meat pies.
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Schaumburg and Crisp, covered in blood, conclude the show.
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The Demon Barber of Fleet Street came alive on the opening night of “Sweeney Todd,” Friday, Feb. 2. Over 75 students partook in the show: a mixture of cast, crew and pit musicians.
Performing Steven Sondheim’s tongue-twister lyrics was a technical challenge for the cast.
“Sweeney Todd is an extremely difficult production for a high school to put on. […] It has very difficult ensemble harmonies that were hard to learn, but it was all worth it,” sophomore Keira Hoisington, who played Joanna, said.
The production required three months of preparation and over 125 hours of rehearsing.
“I was at school 12+ hours every day for two weeks leading up to the show. It was exhausting, although I’m grateful for the intense bonding experience it provided,” ensemble member senior Casey Piston said.
In addition to the performance the cast also participated in traditions like the Senior Circle.
“Before closing night, everyone gets in a circle, and the seniors give life advice and reminisce,” senior Fletcher Anderson said. “It’s the most emotional part; everyone cries. It’s so different because in other things, like sports, you don’t have a specific end date. For theater, there is a countdown from day one, and you want to extend that time because you enjoy the people and [the] experience. We’ll never be with that specific group of people again. Everyone has a place in theater. Even though I’m not the most jaw-dropping singer, I still had a part to play and felt valued.”
Watch the behind the scenes video made by Parker Andrews in January’s GET.
