Lake County Gazette

The opening lyrics of the Tony Award-winning musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" set the stage for a gripping tale of revenge, described as both terrifying and darkly funny.

First appearing on Broadway in 1979, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s "Sweeney Todd" was groundbreaking in musical theatre, blending horror, tragedy, and dark comedy. The story follows Sweeney Todd, a barber seeking vengeance on a judge who wronged him, and his accomplice Mrs. Lovett, who turns his victims into meat pie fillings.

The Coal City Theatre Department will present "Sweeney Todd" over the next two weekends. The spring production was selected by students at the suggestion of their director, Jack Micetich.

“'Sweeney Todd' was the students' selection and they have certainly put their hearts and souls into this show,” Micetich said.

Senior Melody Kinder stars as Mrs. Lovett. “Playing Mrs. Lovett has been the most demanding yet freeing thing I have done in my entire life,” said Melody.

Mason Hamilton, a junior, takes on the role of Sweeney Todd. His character is described as dark, tragic, and tormented.

The cast includes Theo Fritz as Anthony Hope; Olivia Sage as Johanna; Brody D’Orazio as Tobias Ragg; Madison Wilson as Beggar Woman; Logan Hausman as Judge Turpin; Mason Natyshok as Beadle Bramford; Martin Ramirez as Adolfo Pirelli; and Maxx Kramer as Jonas Fogg.

Ensemble members are Eliana Chernesky, Alec Waliczek, Bella Byers, Aubrey Grunwald, Austin Harding, Leo McCants, Julian Micetich, Jordan Olson, Anthony Royster\, Gianna Savarino\, Sam Vota\, Evelyn Wills\, Cora Armstong\, Bella Bartholomew\, Ethan Donnelly\, Wyatt Chase\, Caroline Childers\, Gavin Clubb\, Kyah Hawkins\, Isabella Palacios\, Anastasia Papach\, Kyle Odam , Jack Steinhouse , Gabby Vanduyne , Charlotte Banks , Gianna Carver , Lexi Dearth , Jolene Jones , Victorya Morales , Brady Pierson .

Micetich praised his well-rounded students who balance multiple extracurricular activities alongside rehearsals.

"One thing about our program is that our students are very well rounded," he said.

A student crew supporting behind-the-scenes efforts includes Cade Poyner Gavin Berger Mason Garner Cooper Morris Talen Vandewerken Gaven Vestal Ben Watson Hunter Gill Abby Kodat Bridget Feeney Gabriel Hamilton Jimmy Norris Tyler Phillips

Performances are scheduled for Friday March7 at7 p.m., Saturday March8 at7 p.m., Sunday March9 at2 p.m., with additional shows from March14-16 following the same schedule.Tickets priced at$10 per person can be purchased online or available at the door one hour prior to each performance.Cash only.