Sweeney Todd Sharpens His Razor for the Next Chapter of Great Lakes Theater's 65th Anniversary Season.

Blood, betrayal and black humor meet Sondheim’s unforgettable score in this electrifying theatrical experience playing October 23 – November 8, 2026, at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square.

CLEVELAND, OH - Great Lakes Theater (GLT) continues its 65thseason with Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd), Stephen Sondheim’s bloody, darkly comic musical thriller, running October 23–November 8, 2026, at the Hanna Theatre in Playhouse Square. Directed by Victoria Bussert^ with Musical Direction by Matthew Webb, this thrilling new production brings Sondheim’s haunting score, razor-sharp wit and gorgeous orchestrations to the stage just as autumn takes its deliciously dark turn.

“Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a story steeped in blood, injustice and dark humor,” says Bussert. “The horror becomes more disturbing because it is rooted in human pain, injustice and moral collapse…In an age marked by systemic inequality, exploitation and the temptation to dehumanize others, Sweeney Todd asks us to consider the cost of vengeance and the consequences of unchecked injustice.”

About the Production
Set in gritty 19th-century London, this razor-sharp musical combines suspense, wicked humor and extraordinary music. A vengeful barber returns to confront the corrupt judge who destroyed his family, partnering with the resourceful Mrs. Lovett to hatch a grisly scheme that turns her failing pie shop into a booming success. This Tony Award-winning musical thriller serves up a chilling tale of revenge, obsession and darkly comic mayhem.

Mark Bedard* heads the cast as the titular Sweeney Todd, while perennial GLT favorite, Jillian Kates*, will lead as Mrs. Lovett. Beloved GLT veterans, talented newcomers and students from Oberlin’s Musical Theater program round out the dynamic cast, including Tate Cinti*, Sean Patrick Doyle* Marc Dalmau, Ethan Flanagan*, Amber Hurst Martin*, Rebecca Kenjesky, Janiyah ‘Jai’ McAllister*, Jessie Cope Miller*, Ricky Moyer*, Nic Rhew*, Ana Lauren Rodriguez* and Matthew Wright*.

The fantastic creative team bringing this musical thriller to life features Scenic & Lighting Designer Trad A Burns; Costume Designer Tesia Dugan Benson; Sound Designer Patrick John Kiernan; Wig & Hair Designer Nick Lynch-Voris; Production Stage Manager Imani Sade* and Assistant Stage Manager McKenna Pfieffer*.

Special Events & Experience Enhancement Programming

Check out the rich series of audience enrichment opportunities available for Sweeney Todd:

• Director’s Night: Pre-show conversation with Producing Artistic Director, Sara Bruner, at the first Friday evening preview. | Friday, 10/23/2026 at 6:30 p.m.
• Salon Thursdays: Weekly pre-show discussions with GLT artists. | 10/29 & 11/5/2026 at 6:30 p.m.
• Playnotes Discussions: Saturday matinee pre-show talks with a guest scholar. | 10/24, 10/31 & 11/7/2026 at 12:30 PM
• Ice Cream Social Sundays: Enjoy a London theatre tradition brought stateside and get discounted ice cream at Sunday matinees. | 10/25, 11/1 & 11/8/2026

Full details available at greatlakestheater.org/enhancement

Performance & Ticket Information

• Opening/Press Night: Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
• Preview Performances: Friday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m.
• Curtain Times: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. | Saturday matinees at 1:30 p.m. | Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
• Sign-interpreted and Audio-described Performance: Sunday, November 8 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets range from $23–$115 (inclusive of all fees). $17 tickets available for patrons 25 and under. Groups of 10+ save up to 30%.

Tickets may be purchased by calling (216) 241-6000, visiting GreatLakesTheater.org or in person at the Playhouse Square Ticket Office. Visit https://www.playhousesquare.org/contact-us for Playhouse Square Ticket Office operating hours.

Support & Acknowledgements
The Kulas Foundation provides generous support for Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as part of the Kulas Musical Theater Series at Great Lakes Theater. The residents of Cuyahoga County, through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, provide vital support for Great Lakes Theater's 2026-27 season. Great Lakes Theater programming is also supported by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, www.MTIShows.com.

About Great Lakes Theater
Great Lakes Theater, the first resident company of Playhouse Square, has brought the pleasure, power and relevance of live theater to the widest possible audience since 1962. GLT programming impacts over 80,000 adults and students annually.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association.
^Member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc.