The Durand family is no stranger to musical theater.

Senior Ethan Durand first became involved with musicals and plays as a sophomore. He played percussion in the pit for The Little Mermaid and Barnum musicals. His older sister and cousin had done the same before him, and he wanted to follow in their footsteps. 

His younger sister, sophomore Eleanor Durand, got involved with the fine arts as well in middle and high school. She did technical theater in eighth grade and took an introductory theater class in ninth grade, while also juggling marching band. 

The typical behind-the-scenes roles for the Durand family shifted this year, though. With the theater department’s decision to perform “Sweeney Todd,” Ethan and Eleanor trained and tried out for lead roles. When “Sweeney Todd” opens tonight, both will take center stage.

“This is one of, in my opinion, the greatest musicals,” Ethan said. “This is something that [is] complex in its characters and its music. There’s not really any boring parts. I think it’s one of those musicals that people need to see.”

When Durand was younger, he became familiar with “Sweeney Todd” through songs his mom played on old vinyl records. He became infatuated with it, however, after theater director Brandi Perkins chose it as the school musical. 

“Just from different musicals I’ve seen, this one I’ve fallen in love with the quickest,” Ethan said. “I think all the music is some of the most genius complex stuff ever written. I also just love the character. I love the atmosphere of it. It’s 18th-century London, dark and foggy.” 

“Sweeney Todd” is also Suzanne Durand’s favorite musical, and it was her dream to see her youngest siblings play important roles in this year’s show. Durand, a 2022 Kingwood Park graduate, attends Texas A&M-Galveston, but the former high school choir standout spent part of her summer and fall working with Ethan and Eleanor on their singing and audition tapes.

When the cast list was revealed, Suzanne cried. Ethan earned the role of Sweeney Todd and Eleanor earned the role of Toby. Sweeney Todd is “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” after his many attempts and successes at murder. Tobias “Toby” Ragg is Mrs. Lovett’s simple-minded assistant.

Earning the roles was quite an accomplishment, since neither Eleanor nor Ethan had any previous acting or singing experience prior to this year.

“[Eleanor] has done other performance arts, and she’s never really enjoyed it as much,” Ethan said. “But seeing her do this, seeing her also put in the same work and enjoying this, it makes me happy seeing her. I love when it’s her time to do her stuff, and she’s singing. As her older brother, seeing her shine, seeing her have her moments, it’s amazing.” 

Ethan said his own fears were his biggest obstacle in preparing for the musical. He saw getting the role of Sweeney Todd as more of a fantasy than something he could actually accomplish. But he was determined to work hard and see how it went.

Now, he sees his journey as an inspiring example of what others can do, as long as they set their mind to it and put in the work. 

“It’s never too late to do anything you want,” Ethan said. “You just have to put in the work.”

To prepare for his role, Ethan looked to those close to him. His mom and grandma have acting experience. His grandpa and sister, Suzanne, are singers. His older brother, Anthony Durand, plays percussion. And his vocal teacher has been on Broadway.

“I’ve had them help me out with figuring out monologues… How should I do this? How should I do that?” Ethan said.

The work was hardly over when he earned the title role. Rehearsals started in November. Sometimes Ethan and the cast would be at school for 13 hours between their classes all day and rehearsals at night. Durand didn’t mind. 

“I’m already spending the day with my friends in theater, so it’s not like I’m missing a whole bunch,” Ethan said.

Those same varsity theater classmates helped him feel motivated to keep going and made him feel included. He feared they would treat him like some sort of random outcast who stumbled into the wrong classroom. But they were quick to include him in stuff, especially junior Maggie Spara.

Spara plays an array of ensemble roles for “Sweeney,” namely the Bird Seller. She helped introduce Ethan to new classmates and answered his theater-related questions when he had them. 

“My favorite part of working with Ethan is probably his personality,” Spara said. “He has a very happy-go-lucky personality. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sad or upset. I know this is his favorite show ever or one of [them]. And he’s been wanting to do this for forever. It’s been really great to just see him flourish.

“He does phenomenal with everything. He never puts up a fight. If Mrs. Perkins wants him to change something, he changes it. And he’s just very good about adapting, while also staying happy. Seriously, he never complains. I don’t know how he does it. I complain about everything.”

For Ethan, there is nothing to complain about when he is doing what he loves and with people he loves. His sister Eleanor cannot wait to take the stage alongside him when the curtains rise this weekend.

“He is one of the most musically talented people I know,” Eleanor said. “I’m glad he found his calling in theater. And I know he is disappointed it is his last year, but I’m glad he gets to end it with a big bang – the lead in a really good musical.

“I love that he loves to do this. I know he feels safe and he loves the people in theater. We spend so much time with them, it’s like a second home to us. And I’m so sad it’s almost over.”