The Georgetown Palace Theatre presents Sweeney Todd this month

  • Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Isaac Howell, as Adolfo Pirelli, administers a shave to ensemble cast member Theron Howard during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Isaac Howell, as Adolfo Pirelli, administers a shave to ensemble cast member Theron Howard during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • The opening scene, a burial, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    The opening scene, a burial, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Jacob Rosenbaum, left, as Anthony Hope, and Hannah Ferguson, playing a beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Jacob Rosenbaum, left, as Anthony Hope, and Hannah Ferguson, playing a beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Teddi Iley, playing Johanna, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Teddi Iley, playing Johanna, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Teddi Iley, left, as Johanna, and Jacob Rosenbaum, as Anthony Hope, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Teddi Iley, left, as Johanna, and Jacob Rosenbaum, as Anthony Hope, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Che Greeno, center, playing Tobias Ragg, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Che Greeno, center, playing Tobias Ragg, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Craig Faircloth, left, as Judge Turan, and Gannon Styles, right, playing Beadle Bamford, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Craig Faircloth, left, as Judge Turan, and Gannon Styles, right, playing Beadle Bamford, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Hannah Ferguson, playing the beggar woman, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Hannah Ferguson, playing the beggar woman, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Hannah Ferguson, playing the beggar woman, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Hannah Ferguson, playing the beggar woman, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, left playing Sweeney Todd, and Hannah Ferguson, as the beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, left playing Sweeney Todd, and Hannah Ferguson, as the beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, is pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, left, playing Sweeney Todd, and Craig Faircloth, as Judge Turan, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, left, playing Sweeney Todd, and Craig Faircloth, as Judge Turan, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Che Greeno, as Tobias Ragg, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, and Che Greeno, as Tobias Ragg, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Che Greeno, left, as Tobias Ragg, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Che Greeno, left, as Tobias Ragg, and Sarah Jordan, as Mrs. Lovett, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Hannah Ferguson, as the beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Damon Brown, playing Sweeney Todd, and Hannah Ferguson, as the beggar woman, are pictured during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Ensemble cast member Theron Howard (front) joins other cast members in a scene during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Ensemble cast member Theron Howard (front) joins other cast members in a scene during a Thursday, October 3, 2024 dress rehearsal of "Sweeney Todd," playing on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace through November 3rd. Photo by Andy Sharp.

    Horror and humor came together for a night to remember at the Georgetown Palace Theatre. Excitement radiated through an enthusiastic, full house during the October 4 opening night of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. 

    The musical about a murderous London barber originated in serialized Victorian fiction. A weekly magazine published episodes during the winter of 1846/47 and Sweeney Todd became a legendary character.

    The play, based on the 1973 book by English author Christopher Bond, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and Olivier Award for Best New Musical. In 2007 the woeful tale was made into a major thriller film starring Johnny Dep.

    The opening song, “Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” sets the dark tone. Todd has returned to London and rents a room over Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop. Todd provides the grim backstory about the last time he was in London fifteen years ago in the song “The Barber and His Wife.”  

    The trusting barber was preyed on by a nefarious judge who fabricated charges that sent Todd to prison. Todd has a bloody thirst for revenge. Mrs. Lovett becomes a willing partner in his dastardly deeds.  

    The outstanding Palace production was directed by Kristen Rogers, PhD, Director of Education. This dark comedy offers gallows wit that lies outside of traditional expectations and the lighting, music, sound and costumes created a wonderfully garish setting. 

    Damon Brown’s excellent portrayal of despicable Sweeney Todd was nicely nuanced. Moments of tenderness hinted at who he was before being maligned. Sarah Jordan played Mrs. Lovett, the entrepreneurial shop owner. Her razor sharp comedic delivery was a highlight of the play. 

    Sweeney Todd’s long lost daughter, Johanna, was portrayed by Teddi Iley. The teaching artist with Austin Opera has a beautiful voice that elevates the production. Jacob Rosenbaum was very believable in the nice guy role of Antony Hope, the naive young sailor who befriends Todd and falls in love with Johanna.  

    Craig Faircloth played the lecherous judge responsible for imprisoning Todd. His pompous loyal sidekick, Beadle Bamford, was portrayed by Gannon Styles. Faircloth and Bamford were a deliciously dark, demon duo! 

    Isaac Howell added humor to the production in the role of Adolfo Pirelli, the flamboyant Italian rival barber. His young apprentice, Tobias, finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett. Che Greeno, as Tobias, is making their professional stage debut following graduation from St. Edward’s University. 

    The deranged beggar woman with a dark secret was well played by Hannah Ferguson. This is her second telling of Sweeney Todd after scrolling past Miss Lovett's Sweet Pies shop at age eight. She is thrilled to once again visit Fleet Street. 

    Sweeney Todd is a ripping yarn of cold, calculated revenge. It’s irreverent, cringe worthy and scathing. The wickedly fun tale is the perfect nod to the darker side of Halloween.

    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street runs through November 3 at Springer Stage, 810 South Austin Avenue, Georgetown. Details and ticket information can be found at and times online at georgetownpalace.com 

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