Dave Rode
Dave Rode plays a bucket list part when he assumes the role of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, for Lab Theater. “For me this is the culmination of a long journey that started when I first heard @michaelcerveris perform the title part,” divulges Dave, who adds “I find ways” when it comes to connecting with his character, a serial killer who then helps dice up his victims so that his partner, Mrs. Lovett, can include them as the 
key ingredient in the meat pies she sells to the good people of London.
Prior to Sweeney, Dave portrayed struggling musician Ralph in the rock musical Rent. “I can’t imagine two roles that are more contrasting,” laughs Rode. “Rock tenor and Sondheim baritone. It’s like the exact antithesis. Modern musical; Victorian gothic. The sets are complete opposites. The singing ranges are complete opposites. The mood is complete opposite. It couldn’t be two more different musicals.”
But it’s Dave Rode in both roles.
Dave 
has been acting and singing for over 25 years in New Hampshire, Maine and Florida. His favorite local credits include George in Same Time, Next Year (for Cultural Park Theater), The Man in Veronica’s Room (Lab Theater), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Elwood in Harvey, Dave in Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Bernard in Boeing, Boeing.
When he’s not on stage you 
can find Dave in the classroom teaching math and science or at a piano bar belting out classic rock tunes.
February 2, 2020; revised February 9, 2023.
About the Author
Tom Hall is both an amateur artist and aspiring novelist who writes art quest thrillers. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel titled "Art Detective," a story that fictionalizes the discovery of the fabled billion-dollar Impressionist collection of Parisian art dealer Josse Bernheim-Jeune, thought by many to have perished during World War II when the collection's hiding place, Castle de Rastignac in southern France, was destroyed by the Wehrmacht in reprisal for attacks made by members of the Resistance operating in the area. A former tax attorney, Tom holds a bachelor's degree as well as both a juris doctorate and masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Tom lives in Estero, Florida with his fiancee, Connie, and their four cats.