The Flat River Community Players offer the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd” as their summer production, which opens on July 23 at the Greenville Community Center.

This version is the composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s take on the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It tells the story of Benjamin Barker, alias Sweeney Todd (Jason Townes), a middle class barber, who was arrested on false charges and sent to Australia for life because the judge (Curt Scott) wanted Barker’s wife for himself. The play begins 15 years later, when the barber has returned to London, completely transformed by his experiences: “That man is dead. It’s Todd now. Sweeney Todd.”

Mrs. Lovett (Heather Hipkiss), a widow, owns the spectacularly unsuccessful meat pie shop below Todd’s old home. She recognizes her former neighbor and tells Todd that his wife poisoned herself after Turpin raped her, and that Turpin adopted their baby, Johanna, as his ward. By the time Todd returns to London, Johanna (Marisa Percy) has become a young woman and falls in love with a sailor, Anthony Hope (Patrick Fuller),with whom she plans to elope.

After Turpin escapes his grasp, Todd swears revenge upon the entire world, resolving to kill as many people as he can. Mrs. Lovett suggests a cunning solution for disposing of his victims’ remains that subsequently makes her pie shop incredibly successful.

Showtimes are at 8:00 p.m. July 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31, and at 2:00 p.m on Sunday, July 25, at the Greenville Area Community Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and over, and $10 for students under 18.

Call the Players at 616-754-8207 to order tickets with VISA or Mastercard, or stop by the Community Center in person, Monday through Friday during regular business hours.