DANVILLE — Just in time for Halloween, mature audiences are invited to experience a story of lost love and broken dreams when Danville Light Opera presents Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

The musical thriller will unfold at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Danville High School’s Dick Van Dyke Auditorium.

Director Matt Hester said, “Some tremendous creative minds have come together for this show. It’s an extremely challenging piece in every aspect, but it has masters at the helm. This show will move you as you shout with laughter and gasp in horror.”

He added that parents should leave their children with a babysitter for this performance.

The musical tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker. He is married to the gorgeous Lucy and they have a lovely child, Johanna. Lucy’s beauty attracts the attention of the corrupt Judge Turpin, who falsely accuses the barber of a crime he did not commit and then abuses Lucy after gaining custody of her.

After 15 years in exile, Benjamin returns to London — under the new identity of Sweeney Todd — to seek revenge against Turpin. He meets the widow Mrs. Lovett, who is the owner of a meat pie shop. She tells him that Lucy had committed suicide with arsenic many years before, and that Turpin had become Johanna’s tutor. Todd opens a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett’s store, initiating a crime rampage against those who made him suffer and lose his beloved family.

Cast members include Greg Williams as Sweeney Todd; Julia Megan Sullivan as Mrs. Lovett; Cole Huber as Anthony Hope; Marah Sotelo as Johanna; Bailey Williams as Tobias Ragg; Bryan Schroeder as Judge Turpin; Christopher Sotelo as The Beadle; Jodi Prosser as Beggar Woman; Craig Krukewitt as Adolfo Pirelli; and Thomas Nicol as Jonas Fogg. The music is directed by David Zych, and the show’s producers are Susie Willard and Marilyn Unzicker.

Members of the ensemble include Jonathan Claver, Chelsea Collier, Kenneth Cooper, Joanna Catanus, Jeanne Dunn, Nancy Keener, Kalen McGowan, Mark Muller, Thomas Nicol and Gracie Oliver.

Other ensemble members are Tobi Peck, Andrew Peters, Candace Potts, Suzy Smalley, Ian Williams, Mallory Williams, Marsha Williams and Emily Whitman.

Hester became interested in this musical two years ago when he auditioned for another DLO musical, using the lovely song “Johanna” from “Sweeney Todd.”

Hester said that both long-standing DLO members and a few newcomers are involved in the production, and that actor Andrew Peters will return to the DLO stage after a 20-year hiatus.

“Sweeney Todd” also will mark the 100th DLO performance for veteran actor Greg Williams, who plays the lead role.

Hester said, “Greg has tremendous acting ability, and he plays the part of Sweeney Todd with the intense emotional depth that it calls for.”

He also commended Julia Megan Sullivan for her stellar performance as Mrs. Lovett.

If you go

Danville Light Opera’s “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in Danville High School’s Dick Van Dyke Auditorium.

For tickets, call 431-1660 or stop by the DLO Box Office in the Village Mall located in the wing near the former J.C. Penney/Steve and Barry’s location. Tickets can also be purchased at the First Savings Bank of Danville, 6 W. Williams St. The cost is $19 for adults and $14 for students. DLO now accepts credit card payments, with an additional $1 convenience charge per ticket.

A DLO season ticket membership is $55, which includes “Sweeney Todd,” “A Little Night Music” dinner theater, “Gypsy” and a youth musical.