SAXTONS RIVER — The Bellows Falls Opera House is abuzz with the sound of saws and hammers as work begins on construction of the set of the musical Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which opens Thursday, March 16, for a two-weekend run.
The Main Street Arts production will feature a revolving three-story stage set designed by David Stern, who is also directing the production.
“We at Main Street Arts are thrilled to be working with the Opera House and myriad local supporters to create the first live musical production in Bellows Falls in memory,” Stern said in a news release. “It is so exciting to take on something monumental and find, all around us, people willing to lend a hand to make the dream a reality.”
John “Chip” O'Brien of Westminster is directing the volunteer set crew that includes Ed Dinnany, Bill Lockwood, Keith Clark, Albert Bupp, Simon Bupp-Chickering, Marit Bjerkadal, Ken Lawrence, and Rick Cowan.
The London setting for the story requires a barber shop over a pastry shop, with a basement below. Stern has designed a unique way to connect the barber shop and the basement via a kids' spiral tube slide. The whole set will swivel on a pivot point as the action of the story changes.
Performances are scheduled for March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, with a grand opening planned for the first night.