Meridian Little Theatre opens its 92nd season Thursday evening with “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a perfectly spooky way to kick off Halloween season in the Queen City.

Considered Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, the Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge is set against the backdrop of London at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

The production will run through Sunday at Meridian Little Theatre, located at 4334 Highway 39. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with Sunday’s show a 2 p.m. matinee. Because of the adult content of the production, viewer discretion is advised.

“Sweeney Todd” is a musical thriller about a 19th century London barber, named Benjamin Barker, who returns to the city seeking revenge against the evil Judge Turpin who framed him and ravages his young wife. Now using the name Sweeney Todd, the barber sets up shop above Mrs. Lovett’s struggling pie shop and goes on a murderous rampage, inspiring Lovett to come up with a new ingredient for her meat pies that become extremely popular with the people of London.

The tragedy of Todd is not merely in the horrors he commits but in the gradual loss of his humanity as he becomes obsessed and consumed by his anger and pain. In his quest for justice, he becomes blind to the innocent lives he exploits and destroys.

“What is so scary about this story is not the gory actions that take place or the sharp gestures in the choreography, but the realization that any one of us can become like Sweeney Todd,” said MLT Artistic Director Tiffany McGehee.

She said the lesson the audience can take from Todd’s journey is one of caution for those who may harbor thoughts of revenge.

“We must be mindful of the ways in which we, too, might harm or exploit the innocent,” she said. “His story serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of letting our desire for revenge or self-interest blind us to the value of the lives around us.

“As we bring this dark tale to life, we invite our audience to reflect on how easily we can become entangled in our obsessions, losing sight of the importance of holding on to our humanity, even in the face of profound injustice,” she added.

Music Director Kristen Johnson Gunn has a challenging task in assuring the dark, witty story works musically for the audience.

“From the start, (Tiffany) and I knew that Sweeney would have to be tackled differently than the normal MLT process. We started learning this music back in July because the musical score is so difficult,” Gunn said. “Sondheim needs a while to settle in and become part of you. The music had to be locked down and ready before the first staging rehearsal to even attempt to tell the story well. So, we put in that work, and I believe it will show.”

She said learning Sondheim’s musical score has been challenging for all of those involved in the production.

“Getting to do ‘Sweeney Todd’ and learn this iconic musical score has been a challenge for all involved, but every person involved also realizes that putting on ‘Sweeney’ is a rare privilege, and one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” she said. “… so every person has committed 100% through the entire process, even on the hardest days.”

Audiences can expect a jarring, musical experience that will range in emotion from anger and terror to true heartache and loss to murderous rage and deep sorrow. The audience will hear all of these emotions in Sondheim’s music and lyrics, which make for a captivating story, Gunn said.

But, she cautioned in a word of warning to parents that “Sweeney Todd” is not a production for children.

“A word of warning: this show isn’t one for the kids. The show displays what we all, as humans, are capable of — pure evil. It poses many questions to the audience members and confronts many uncomfortable conflicts,” she said.

The audience will see some comic relief peppered throughout the dark tale and lots of laughs are in store, but overall it is geared for an adult audience, she said.

Gunn’s husband, Drew Gunn, will take on the role of Sweeney Todd in the musical, his first production for MLT.

Drew Gunn grew up in Ocean Springs, where he was a member of the choir at Ocean Springs High School and was accepted into the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied music and voice for two years before changing course and joining the Army. He currently serves as general contractor and vice president of Bonita Properties Inc.

“I have always held much respect for Stephen Sondheim’s works and have been familiar with ‘Sweeney Todd’ for a long time,” Drew Gunn said. “I studied the famous 1982 production featuring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury, my favorite production of ‘Sweeney,’ and listened to other recordings of the musical. This role has been difficult musically but also carries heavy emotions.”

Local accountant Douglas Coleman will make his second appearance on the MLT stage, taking on the role of Judge Turpin.

Coleman says he has liked exercising his brain with the ‘Sweeney Todd’ production.

“This gets me out of my comfort zone and works a part of my brain that gets less exercise,” he said. “I like the people. It’s a diverse group of folks of all ages that I would not normally get the opportunity to interact with.

“The music is difficult,” he added, “but (Kristen Johnson Gunn) has a knack for coaxing the best out of this mediocre voice. She gives us all confidence and is very supportive.”

MLT Board President Diane Freeman said the theater’s acting company is thrilled to finally bring the Tony Award-winning “Sweeney Todd” to the MLT stage and is always grateful for the support the theater receives from the community.

“We are especially grateful to our donors, Manny and Melanie Mitchell, for their contribution of our new lighted marquee sign in front of the theatre,” she said. “We couldn’t survive and thrive without the support of our community, and this donation means so much to us.”

Individual tickets for this week’s “Sweeney Todd,” as well as season tickets for all four MLT productions planned this season, are currently available online at meridianlittletheatre.com