Youth Theater Group Takes On 'Sweeney Todd'

A musical about a madman seeking revenge by slashing his victims with a barber’s blade and stuffing their grounded remains in meat pies may not sound like material for a youth production, but the teens in the Foothill Theater Workshop are taking on “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” for their summer musical this weekend.

Despite the macabre subject matter, workshop volunteer and board member Vilma Freeth insists the play isn’t filled with gruesome gore.

“We’re focusing on the social justice aspect of the story,” said Freeth. “Here’s Sweeney Todd, a man who’s had his life stolen from him by a judge who abused his power because he wanted Todd’s wife…so we see Todd’s anger and frustration of not really being able to change anything that has happened.”

The 18-member cast of “Sweeney Todd” make up the high school group of the Foothill Theater Workshop, a nonprofit theater group offering youth performers a chance to take part in full-scale productions during the summer. The musical opens this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Azusa Pacific University Theater, with multiple showings throughout the weekend. Tickets for the performance are $15.

In its 12^th year, the theater group has offered summer intensive theater programs, culminating each session with a full-scale musical production with elaborate sets and costumes. Productions also include a live orchestra, a rarity for local small theater group productions, said Freeth. The workshop recently completed productions of the junior performance of Beauty and the Beast.

Admission fees for students joining the theater group is $200 for the summer season.

All children who audition are accepted and given a part in the production. While many of the members come from theater backgrounds, Freeth said all skill levels are accepted into the program. Members come from all parts of the San Gabriel Valley, with this year’s program seeing students coming as far as Corona.

“You get to meet a lot of new people and you learn so much about theater,” Said Chloe Jasso, 16, who plays Johanna in “Sweeney Todd.” “You are really able to grown as a performer.”

The Glendora High School senior joined the workshop two years ago and since then, the summer productions have become a family affair. Jasso’s brother Caleb is also performing in the musical, with her mother singing in the ensemble.

The theater group has also nurtured the theater and performing arts careers of their young students, with some moving onto film, television and theater roles, said Freeth.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” plays this Friday, July 29 at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 31 at 4 p.m. All performances are at the Azusa Pacific Theater, 701 E. Foothill Blvd, Azusa, Calif. Tickets are $15.

Call (626) 919-3679 for ticket information or visit www.foothilltheatreworkshop.com. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the play at the theater box office.