Phoenix Productions Hosts Open Auditions for Sweeney Todd

Phoenix Productions is looking for stars for its November show, Sweeney Todd, and has called for interested participants to come out to one of its four upcoming open auditions.

The auditions are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 from 2 – 5 p.m., and Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre’s second floor dance studio in Red Bank. A fourth open audition will be held in New York City on the 16th floor of the Ripley Grier Studios on Sept. 6 from 12 – 3 p.m.

All roles are open and will remain so until the end of auditions.

Performances of Sweeney Todd will run from Nov. 11 through Nov. 20 at the Count Basie.

According to a release, the show’s director, Tom Frascatore, is hoping to recreate a stark London with a full orchestra and a cast that demonstrates cutting edge.

“Before Sweeney, you went to the theater safe in the knowledge that you’d see two acts in three hours with a lush score, some excellent ballads and a plot that didn’t make you think too much,” he said in a release. “They Sweeney opened – deep, dark, dangerous – practically ripping out the proscenium and dropping the show in your lap.”

For more information about the characters and how to prepare for the auditions, visit www.sweeneyauditions.com.

Phoenix Productions, founded in 1987, is a non-profit community theatre organization based in Red Bank that has produced more than 100 revivals of hit Broadway musicals. More information is available at www.phoenixredbank.com.

The local theater troupe has produced quality performances, including its recent summer show, , and its spring show, , both of which were met with large crowds and great public response.