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Why see Sweeney Todd?

Sondheim's Meaty Musical reinvented

A grisly, blood-curdling classic, Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece Sweeney Tood: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street arrives Off-Broadway in 2017 in an devious new production straight from London's West End. Created by the Tooting Arts Club, this Sweeney Todd originally premiered in London's oldest pie shop, Harrington's, where the 32 person audience were treated to pies (we're hoping they weren't too authentic) during the show and an incredibly intimate performance from the Demon Barber and Co. The reviews were ecstatic, with the Stage calling it "the most unique of any production I've ever seen," and Mr Sondheim himself stopped by on the last night.

For this Off-Broadway transfer, the cosy Barrow Street Theatre has been reconfigured to capture the close atmosphere of Harrington's, and pies will once again be served up for those brave enough to sample Mrs Lovett's culinary skills. Bill Buckhurst, who oversaw the London staging, will direct.

A History Of The Demon Barber

Based on a play by Christopher Bond, and adapted for the stage by Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd debuted on Broadway in 1979. One of Sondheim's greatest and most ambitious scores, with a measly twenty percent actual spoken-word, the show won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has since gone down as a musical theatre and cultural touchstone. It was later adapted for the big screen by Tim Burton, with Johnny Depp in the lead role.

What is sweeney todd About?

The year is 1846, and a man by the name of Sweeney Todd steps off a boat at London's docks. He has returned to right the wrongs done unto him and his family by a corrupt judge, who twenty years ago, sentenced Sweeney to transportation out of the country so that he could take his wife for himself. Sweeney's first port of call is his old dwellings, where his former landlady, pie-maker Mrs Lovett, tells him that his wife killed herself to escape the judge's clutches, yet their daughter remains in the judge's 'care'.

His dark heart set on vengeance, Sweeney Todd enlists the help of Mrs Lovett in his terrible plan. Sweeney will reopen his old barbershop, and use his razor to slit the throats of every man who helped the judge carry out his wicked deed. Meanwhile Mrs Lovett will dispose of the bodies by baking them into her pies. It's a horrifying plan that might just be crazy enough to succeed, but as the bodies begin piling up in the cellar of the pie-shop, Todd's insatiable bloodlust threatens to both drive him insane, and blow the pair's grisly operation.

Key Information

Run Time

2 hours and 45 minutes including one 20-minute intermission

Dates

Finished Aug 26, 2018

Cast

Thom Sesma as Sweeney Todd 
Sally Ann Triplett as Mrs. Lovett
Michael James Leslie as Judge Turpin
Zachary Noah Piser as Tobias
Joseph Taylor as Tobias (from July 31)
Stacie Bono as Pirelli & Beggar Woman
Betsy Morgan as Pirelli & Beggar Woman (from July 31)
Billy Harrigan Tighe as Anthony 
DeLaney Westfall as Johanna
John Rapson as The Beadle
Matt Leisy
Liz Pearce
Monet Sabel
Danny Rothman


Creative

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Bill Buckhurst

Awards

2017 Drama desk Nominations

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Jeremy Secomb
Outstanding Director of a Musical - Bill Buckhurst
Outstanding Orchestrations - Benjamin Cox
Outstanding Set Design for a Musical - Simon Kenny
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical - Amy Mae
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play - Matt Stine

Reviews

Customer reviews

2 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)

SuperNova

Run to this Barber Shop Pronto!

Brilliant immersive and thrilling experience from start to finish. Chew on this timeless score and savor every bite! We loved the table seats right in the center of the action. And grab the best wings in NYC after at the Barrow Street Ale House (after the must eat pre dinner pies!) ... Read more

Brenda

Don’t miss it!

The cast is truly amazing! Enjoyed every minute of this performance! ... Read more

Laurie Ann

Nice staging

I liked the staging, itself, although there a few blocking issues for the first few rows of audience members. Although Groban has the vocal chops for the role,, however, I didn't find his performance compelling. He seems to lack range as an actor and certainly didn't often convey the depth of this character, just a bit of bewilderedness and sadness. That can't be sad for the other actors, who were stupenduous. ... Read more

News

Heartstopper's Joe Locke debuts on Broadway!

Heartstopper's Joe Locke debuts on Broadway!

Saadiqah, December 8th, 2023
Heartstopper's Joe Locke is ready to storm the Broadway stage as he makes his debut as Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre! The breakout star will assume the role on Wednesday 31st January 2024....
Read more

Heartstopper's Joe Locke debuts on Broadway!

Heartstopper's Joe Locke debuts on Broadway!
Saadiqah, December 8th, 2023
Heartstopper's Joe Locke is ready to storm the Broadway stage as he makes his debut as Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre! The breakout star will assume the role on Wednesday 31st January 2024....
Read more

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