Players of Utica Presents the Popular Musical, “Sweeney Todd”

UTICA, N.Y., 05/22/2026 – Step into the shadowy streets of Victorian London and experience Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the razor‑sharp musical thriller by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler that has captivated audiences for decades, opening June 4 at Players of Utica.

It’s the story of Sweeney Todd, a barber who has been wronged by a corrupt judge. When he returns to Fleet Street seeking justice, his path collides with the delightfully devious Mrs. Lovett, and together they cook up a plan that’s as darkly comic as it is unforgettable.

“It is such a different piece of theater, says director Shannon Migliore. “There is nothing else that is like it. The music is so rich and the thriller/horror aspects really lend itself to being very cinematic in nature. We are super fortunate to get a phenomenal, amazingly talented, and dedicated cast for this production. They are extremely intuitive with their acting and have great musical ability.”

With a soaring, intricate score, bold characters, and twists that keep you leaning forward, Sweeney Todd delivers suspense, laughter, and jaw‑dropping theatricality in every scene. The production is directed by Shannon Migliore and Christian C. Shaefer, with music direction by Sarah Cohea. The play features Casey J. Ryan, Jessica Wilk, Nick Mellace, Calico Yaworski, Dexter Smith, David Paul, Sam Salamone, Liska Savage, and Jacob Carissimo in the lead roles. 

Performances for Sweeney Todd:
Thursdays: June 4 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: June 5 & 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: June 6 & 13 at 2 p.m.
Sundays: June 7 & 14 at 2 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased online at playersofutica.org or by calling 315-724-7624. Be sure to order your tickets ASAP to secure your spot – we expect many performances to sell out! The Players Theatre is located at 1108 State Street, Utica.