YUCAIPA – Opening night for Yucaipa Little Theatre’s presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is Thursday, Oct. 8.
In this stage presentation, Sweeney Todd is reinvented as a tragic character driven by revenge rather than greed and whose real name is Benjamin Barker.
Barker was a middle-class barber, married to Lucy Barker, with an infant daughter Johanna. The lecherous Judge Turpin, played by Tom Neman, wanted Lucy for himself and had Barker arrested on false charges and sent to Australia.
The play begins 15 years later, when the barber has returned to London, darkly transformed by his experiences: “That man is dead. It’s Todd now. Sweeney Todd.” The lead role is played by award-winning actor Daren Prescott.
Mrs. Lovett, played by Mia Mercado, owns the spectacularly unsuccessful meat pie shop below Todd’s old home. Mrs. Lovett recognizes her former neighbor and tells Todd that Lucy poisoned herself after Turpin raped her, and that Turpin adopted Johanna, played by Natalie Tavarez, as his ward.
Todd is filled with rage toward the judge and swears revenge upon the entire world, resolving to kill as many people as he can. Mrs. Lovett suggests they turn his victims’ remains into pies. Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop becomes incredibly successful.
The show contains graphic violence that may not be suitable for children younger than 13. Parental supervision is recommended.
The show will run three weekends from Oct. 8 to Oct. 25. Evening performances are at 7:30 Oct. 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24. Matinee shows are at 3:30 Oct. 11, 18 and 25.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior, students and children. Family tickets are $25, and groups of eight or more may purchase tickets for $6 each.
For reservations or more information, call (909) 790-1884 or contact Christi Prescott, director, at (909) 795-3750.
Yucaipa Little Theatre is at 12135 California St., Yucaipa.