The cast of the murderous musical "Sweeney Todd" rehearses. Photo by Mason Callejas

A murderous musical is coming to Maricopa this month.

The Maricopa Community Theatre will perform its production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” Oct. 11-14 at 7 p.m. at Leading Edge Academy.

Matthew Ortega is pulling double duty as crew director and the play’s title character. MCT Artistic Director Carrie Vargas will play his counterpart, Mrs. Lovett.

Together they make up a dreadful duo, hell-bent on revenge – and meat pies.

Ortega said the show is recommended for audience members 14 and older, and parental guidance is suggested.

The musical production is a scaled-down version of the Stephen Sondheim original.

“I’m really focusing on the story of what’s going on rather than the spectacle,” Ortega said. “Don’t worry, there is still going to be blood spilled here and there, just in a different way.”

The cast of 18 auditioned in May, rehearsed through the summer, and began blocking and choreography in August. Since then, Ortega said the crew has met weekly for music rehearsals to master the difficult score.

 

CAST:
Sweeney Todd: Matthew Ortega
Mrs. Lovett: Carrie Vargas
Anthony Hope: Kris Ludlow
Johanna: Lindsay Decoste
Tobias Ragg: Julianna Goodrum
Judge Turpin: Christopher Goodrum
The Beadle: Mario Bandin
Beggar Woman: Nicole Fiscus
Adolfo Pirelli: David Vargas
Ensemble: Kalei Ashlock, Sergio Barrera, Rain Bovey, Genevieve Burno, Cherish Forbes, Grace Goodrum, Dylan Jaques, Britney Montgomery, Maria Santillan
Understudies
Johanna: Britney Montgomery
Beggar Woman: Maria Santillan
Crew Director: Matthew Ortega
Assistant Director: Brittney Randolph
Music Director: Lindsay Decoste
Choreographer: Kimi Cunningham Shackelford
Stage Manager: Mario Bandin
Costumes: The Sweeney Todd cast
Light Board Operator: Jerry Allen
Poster Designer: Noelle Wells
Box Office: Rachel Maas, JoAnn Ortega, Mario Ortega