There are various types of shops at the Wonderland of the Americas mall, but from Aug. 29 to Sept. 21, a particular barbershop lurks underneath the mall inside the Wonder Theatre.
When Darcell Andre heard about the opportunity to direct a “Sweeney Todd” play, he did not jump at the opportunity, as his experience has primarily been in straight plays or non-musicals.
Andre brings a unique vision to Fleet Street. Fans and novices of the play may be expecting a stage of rustic, dark colors, but this is where the director inserts his creative touch. Andre believes in utilizing stage colors and lighting to carry the story forward.
“I always just listen to the music,” Andre said. “After that, I start to create a color palette. Those colors, they just kind of carry a vibe. They carry your energy.”
As far as how the casting process works, actors are supposed to prepare a song of their choice. Andre advises those auditioning not to pander to a particular show and to pick a song that best demonstrates their vocal strength.
However, Chris Berry was the exception to this, leaving the directors shocked.
“He said, ‘Hi, I’m Chris Berry. I’d love to work with everybody at another time right now. I only want to audition for the role of Sweenery Todd,’ and we were like, ‘Wow.’” Andre recalled. “After he sang and did his thing, we were like, ‘Okay, I will be calling him back.’”
As a fellow theatre teacher, Andre emphasized the importance of supporting the arts from a socioemotional perspective, explaining how being involved in and supporting the arts is incredibly valuable to social skills and confidence.
“Theatre is the only space where you can get up there and be a deranged clown, where you can be silly or get out frustrations,” Andre said. “The theater may be the only space for truth.”
Prefacing important but difficult themes that might have a hard time being broadcast can survive censorship because they are told under the guise of entertainment.
“I can actually demonstrate to the audience that these people exist, that this is how these people live, opposed to the sanitized version,” Andre said. “To support the arts is to keep culture alive.”
Purchase tickets to “Sweeney Todd” for shows through Sept. 21. at the Wonderland of the Americas mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
