Theatre Albany general manager set to direct ‘Sweeney Todd’

ALBANY — As befits a man whose title is general manager of Theatre Albany, Justin Neal has the gentlemanly nature to professionally discuss the arts with the community at large, including those who fancy themselves as erudite patrons.

But talk with Neal about the latest project he’s taken on — directing Theatre Albany’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” — and it’s easy to catch the significant buzz he’s feeling about his first directing job. Truth be told, Neal’s so excited he might combust if he weren’t so adept at holding himself in check.

“Yeah, I’m a little terrified, but I’m so excited,” Neal said Tuesday, just days before auditions for “Sweeney Todd” are to be held at the theater. “I’ve had the opportunity to act in several plays since I came on board as general manager (slightly less than two years ago), and I’ve been involved in each of our productions in some manner. So I’m very aware of the process.

“But I’m not just preparing for a role this time; I’m not just helping put things together. I’m diving in, exploring this play, working to do everything I can to make it mine. At the end of the day, the way I see it is the production starts out as mine, and as soon as we select a cast and start rehearsals, it becomes ours.”

Rehearsals for “Sweeney Todd” will be held Monday and Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Theatre Albany, with call-backs scheduled for Wednesday. Persons interested in signing up for an audition time may do so at theatrealbany.com/auditions. The cast calls for actors age 18 and up, except for one roll that is for an actor 14-up.

“Everybody should bring in a song that shows off their voice and prepare about 30 seconds of choreography to show how well they move,” Neal said. “Anyone who auditions can do so for a specific role, or they can audition for any part that fits their talents.

“We in the theater know a lot of our area actors, and there are several we expect to audition who we feel might be right for a certain part. But we’re going into the process with a completely open mind. If someone blows us away, that’s who will get the part.”

And how will the first-time director get across his passion for the play — about a late 18th-century barber who is wrongly sent away by a corrupt judge and comes back 17 years later seeking revenge — to the actors under his charge?

“I’ve heard already that there is a lot of passion in the community to see this play,” Neal said. “When I was asked to direct and was given a list of plays to choose from, I immediately jumped at the chance to do this one. It’s one of my favorites and one of my wife’s favorites. It’s just a cool production.

“I plan to be genuine and transparent during rehearsals. In that way, it will turn into this collaborative effort. The passion will come from that.”

Rehearsals for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” are set to start March 25, the day after Theatre Albany’s final production of “The Mousetrap,” which is set for shows this weekend and next. “Sweeney Todd” will be performed May 31-June 2 and June 9-11.

Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher