Michigan Tech photo. Sweeney Tood (Soren Schmidt) holds up his razor, as Mrs. Lovett (Sarah Hayes) looks on in a scene from Sweeney Todd which opens tonight at the Rozsa Center

HOUGHTON — In just a few hours, patrons of Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center will be transported to the streets of Victorian London and into a world of revenge, betrayal and murder. With a cast and orchestra of Tech students and community members, Michigan Tech Theatre opens its three-night run of Stephen Soundheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

The Sweeney Todd character dates back to mid-19th century London in popular penny dreadful fiction. Soundheim’s 1979 musical is based on the 1970 play Sweeney Todd, by British playwright Christopher Bond. The musical tells the dark tale of Sweeney Todd, a victim of a ruthless judge, who goes on a murderous voyage of revenge, aided by the opportunistic and manipulative baker Mrs. Lovett.

Tech’s production of Sweeney Todd is under the direction of Nich Radcliffe, assistant teaching professor of visual performing arts. Musical director is Joel Neves, professor of visual and performing arts and music director of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, which serves as the Pit Orchestra for this production.

Radcliffe came to Michigan Tech three years ago, after more than a quarter century of professional acting and directing experience, with the bulk of it in Chicago. Radcliffe has directed more than 50 plays and said while he embraced the chance to direct this challenging musical, the choice was actually made for him.

“The decision, was made by the faculty. It was a show that Joel (Neves) had wanted to do for quite some time.” Radcliffe said. He embraced the chance to take on such a big musical — “It’s nice to get your name on something like this,” he said.

Despite the fact that MTU does not offer either theatre or music majors, Radcliffe says there are advantages to working at a STEM institution.”We have toys to play with here that I’ve never had anywhere else. And the students are incredible,” said Radcliffe.

Often in the world of theatre, both amateur and professional, time is at a premium with the adage “if I only had one more week,” often repeated by directors. That’s not the case with this production. When asked if the show is ready for an audience, Radcliffe said: “We were ready Monday night.” Monday was the first dress rehearsal with the full orchestra and all technical elements. He said with the exception of two minor technical glitches the show was “audience ready.”

In a paradox that might only happen in the world of theatre in a small community, the role of the murderous Sweeney Todd is performed by Soren Schmidt — Pastor Soren Schmidt of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chassell. Schmidt said the idea of a man of the church playing a murderous character is not as far fetched as it might seem. “I look at the church that Sweeney is worshiping,” Schmidt said. “His God is the God of Revenge.”

Indeed, in the prologue, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” the entire company sings, “He served a dark and vengeful god.”

Pastor Schmidt says he is able to make the distinction between what happens on stage and his off-stage life and is confident his congregation can do the same.

“I’ve talked to them about it. They understand.” Calling his role a “thick part,” Schmidt says despite the subject matter, the journey has been a blast. “It’s been fun.”

The cast is made up of a mix of MTU students and community members with varying degrees of theatre experience. Perhaps none more experienced than Sarah Hayes who is taking on the role of Mrs. Lovett. The Rockford, Illinois native has had a career spanning 25 years in professional theater before relocating to the Keweenaw recently.

The MTU production is the third time Hayes has performed Sweeney Todd. She said this most recent experience has been special, because of the cast. “Everyone comes in with a different background. It’s so wonderful to see people explore the arts in their lives.”

Radcliffe said those who may have seen the rather gory film version of Sweeney Todd, need not worry about seeing it on stage. “Without giving away anything, I will tell you that I decided to handle the blood, etc. in a much more creative way,” Radcliffe said in a press release.

Rozsa staff said tickets are selling quickly. In addition to tonight’s performance, additional performances are Friday and Saturday. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets are available online at tickets at mtu.edu or at the Rozsa Center box office and are part of Tech’s Pay as you’re able pricing.