Adams County 'Sweeney Todd' production keeps the drama, loses some gore

Sometimes the hardest thing about being in a musical production is keeping the blood spatter off of your costume.

At least that is the case for the cast of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," produced by Pennsylvania Theatrical Arts and debuting this weekend at Littlestown Senior High School.

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The musical's plot is oft remembered for featuring several dramatic on-stage deaths and Sweeney Todd's iconic sliding barber chair's that drops his victims beneath the stage.

And for 14-year-old actress Lindsay Boritz, the corn-syrupy, fake murders are the best part.

Lindsay plays Tobias Ragg, one of the show's main characters.

Depending on a few wardrobe details, she might get to squeeze a little pouch of the goo across the neck of one of her follow actors during the final scenes.

"I'm fine to work with it," Lindsay said of the blood. "There were other kids that were like 'nope, nope, not going to do it.'"

The local production has lightened the amount of gore from what was called for in the script, said Brittany Stevens, owner of Pennsylvania Theatrical Arts.

"I put an age cap on the auditions and there's not as much fake blood," She said. "The kids more enjoy the sliding chair."

Other characters stood out to the actors for their passion rather than their creepiness.

The role of Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd's partner in crime, taught actor 16-year-old Cheyenne Hughes a lot about herself, she said, adding that getting into character was an easy transition. "I mean, not necessarily enough to kill someone," Cheyenne said, "but I love that she goes to full extremes to achieve her goals."

If you go

What: "Sweeney Todd"

When: Sept. 25 and 26 at 7 p.m.

Where: Littlestown Senior High School located 200 East Myrtle St.

Cost: Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for children. They can be purchased at patabs.com. Proceeds benefit Main Street Hanover.

More: Get information about the season's upcoming shows at patabs.com