*ACTORS HOPE TO MAKE THE “CUT” FOR AUDITIONS* *FOR BLOODY MUSICAL MASTERPIECE, “SWEENEY TODD”* *Tony-Award winning musical to be directed by Michael Dempsey* SALEM, OHIO – Salem Community Theatre will hold open auditions for the macabre tale of love, murder and revenge: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET on June 7 and 8 at 7:00 PM. The winner of nine Tony awards including "Best Musical, "Sweeney Todd" is the heart-pounding story of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th-century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who tore his family apart. Using his silver razors, his thirst for blood expands to include his unfortunate customers, and the resourceful proprietress of the pie shop downstairs soon has the people of London lining up for her mysterious new meat pie recipe! Sophisticated, suspenseful and visceral, "Sweeney Todd" mixes intense drama with moments of dark humor. Audition dates are *Sunday, June 7 at 7:00pm* and *Monday, June 8 at 7:00pm* , with callbacks on Thursday, June 11 at 7:00pm. Auditions will be held at Salem Community Theatre, 490 East State Street, Salem OH 44460. All roles are available. Those auditioning should prepare a brief musical theater song by, or in the style of, Stephen Sondheim. Bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. Please do NOT prepare movie, pop or rock show songs, and please do NOT bring tracks. The music is challenging, so choose a song that demonstrates your vocal range and ability. "Sweeney Todd" requires minimal dancing and choreography. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, October 30 through November 8 and rehearsals will begin the last week in August. Rehearsals are typically Sun-Thurs evenings. Please come to auditions with a list of your conflicts. For questions or more information, contact director Michael Dempsey at demzer@gmail.com. Director Michael Dempsey has a long and impressive background as a professional actor, director, playwright and novelist. Recent local productions include YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute; winner of Broadway.com's regional award for Best Youth Production), OF MICE AND MEN (TrueNorth Cultural Arts), THE LAST FIVE YEARS (SCT), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (SCT and Players Guild of Canton), AN EVENING IN MICHAEL DEMPSEY'S SHORTS (Rust Belt Theatre Company), I AM MY OWN WIFE (Oakland Center for the Arts), INTO THE WOODS (SCT), MACBETH and CURTAINS (Youngstown Playhouse). Salem Community Theatre enjoys a distinguished history of providing quality live performances, as well as instruction in the theatre arts, and a number of community outreach programs. The theatre is located at 490 East State Street in Salem, Ohio.