Mentor Theatre has a proud history of performing shows that aren’t necessarily performed by high schools elsewhere, including musical staging of challenging shows like “Blood Brothers” and spectaculars like “Titanic,” “Mary Poppins,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”
This year Mentor Theatre concludes its performance season with another entry uncommon for high schools with the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
The show will run April 18-20 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center at Mentor High School. Tickets are available now at mentortheatre.ludus.com. Tickets for adults are $15 and tickets for students and seniors are $10.
This year’s theme has been focused on suspense, and there is much of that in Mentor as audiences anticipate how their theater program will stage this challenging story.
The show tells the story of Benjamin Barker, a wrongfully imprisoned barber who seeks revenge on those who betrayed him. He teams up with a pie maker named Mrs. Lovett to exact his vengeance, with terrifying consequences.
“Sweeney Todd” was originally adapted from a play by Christopher Bond, which premiered in London in 1973. The musical was first produced on Broadway in 1979, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.
The original Broadway production starred Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett. In 2007 it was adapted into a popular movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the lead roles. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning an Academy Award for Best Art Direction and nominations for Best Actor and Best Costume Design.
The ambition of this year’s show is an appropriate closer for Mentor Theatre’s 100th season, the Fine Arts Center’s 30th year, and director John Greene’s 20th directorial season. He is ably assisted with choreography by Marlene Leber.
“This year truly has been epic, filled with milestone anniversaries and memorable moments for Mentor Theatre,” Greene tells me.“ Celebrating 20 years of directing has been a deeply reflective journey for me, filled with gratitude for the countless students, colleagues, and community members who have contributed to the success of our productions over the years.
“The Fine Arts Center reaching its 30th year is a testament to the enduring impact of arts education and the unwavering support of our community,” he added. “And marking 100 years for Mentor Thespian Troupe #6 is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the dedication and passion of generations of student performers.”
Greene is enthusiastic about the upcoming performances and the work of his team.
“As we approach the final production of the year I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in how far the program has come and excitement for what the future holds,” Greene says. “This year has been a testament to the resilience and creativity of our students, who have embraced challenges and soared to new heights in their performances.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness their growth as performers and individuals, and I am confident that they will carry the spirit of Mentor Theatre forward with them long after they leave the school.”
“Sweeney Todd” is not presented by schools frequently, but Greene knows they are up to the challenge and is grateful that Mentor Theatre still stands as a trendsetter in that regard.
“’Sweeney Todd’ is indeed a daring choice for high school theater, and its infrequent presentation by schools may stem from several factors,” Greene admits. “Firstly, the complex and dark themes of the musical, including murder and revenge, can be challenging for younger performers to navigate.
“Additionally, the intricate score and demanding vocal requirements may present a significant challenge for student actors and musicians,” he added. However, despite these challenges, Mentor Theatre has always been committed to challenging both its performers and audiences. We believe that theater is a powerful medium for exploring difficult themes and sparking meaningful conversations and ‘Sweeney Todd’ offers a unique opportunity to do just that.
“By tackling this ambitious production, we aim to not only showcase the immense talent of our students but also to demonstrate our dedication to artistic excellence and innovation.”
Kenna Hamilton is a busy senior active in Mentor Colorguard, National Honor Society, Top 25, and Student Government. She takes on the role of Mrs. Lovett.
“To prepare for this production I watched many different versions of the show,” Kenna says. “I watched the film, I watched performances on YouTube, and I saw the show in New York City. This allowed me to get a better understanding of my character so that I could portray the character correctly.”
Kenna is mindful of the opportunity and grateful for it.
“I think that it is very cool to be participating in a production that is not frequently staged by high schools,” Kenna says. “It shows that we are mature enough to understand the concepts in this show.”
Nicholas Hancock is a senior active in AWT RoboBots and will be playing Judge Turpin.
“I prepared for this production by watching a lot of other adaptations of the show including the movie and seeing the 2023 Broadway show of ‘Sweeney Todd,’” Nicholas says. “I think the film helped me to develop Judge Turpin’s character in a unique way that I’m excited to bring to the audience.
“I’m very excited to be participating in a production as special as ‘Sweeney Todd,'” he added. “It’s quite a unique show to be doing as a high school and I think that’ll make it stand out compared to other shows that Mentor Theatre and other schools have done. It’s also so cool that ‘Sweeney Todd’ is on Broadway right now as we’re doing our show as well.”
“Sweeney Todd” is indeed a unique high school experience, but one that hopefully remains standard operating procedure at Mentor Theatre for the foreseeable future.
“Looking ahead,I see a program that continues to evolve and innovate, while staying true to its core mission of fostering artistic expression and personal growth,” Greene says. “Our commitment to excellence remains unwavering and I am optimistic about the continued success and impact of Mentor Theatre in the years to come.
“I am filled with hope and excitement for the bright future of this program that has meant so much to me and to so many others.”
Young Thespians is a column focusing on youth theater. Have a story idea or production you would like to see listed? E-mail stevecouch@windstream.net or post them on our “Young Thespians” Facebook group page so we can get you on our calendar!
