The Tooting Arts Club’s immersive production of Sweeney Todd, which was first staged in an actual London pie shop, officially opens March 1 after beginning previews February 14 at New York’s Barrow Street Theatre. The Barrow Street Theatre has been completely transformed into a working pie shop especially for the production’s New York bow.
Audiences will be able to purchase authentic meat pies prior to each performance at the venue. The traditional Victorian dish includes a meat pie, along with mashed potato and hot parsley sauce. Both meat and vegetarian pies will be offered.
The initial eight weeks of the run feature British stage stars Jeremy Secomb (as Sweeney Todd), Siobhán McCarthy (as Mrs. Lovett), Duncan Smith (as Judge Turpin), and Joseph Taylor (as Tobias), who reprise their critically acclaimed performances through April 9.
Beginning April 11, the cast will be led by Tony nominee Norm Lewis (as Sweeney Todd), Tony nominee Carolee Carmello (as Mrs. Lovett), Jamie Jackson (as Judge Turpin), and John-Michael Lyles (as Tobias).
The cast also includes Matt Doyle (as Anthony), Alex Finke (as Johanna), Betsy Morgan (as Pirelli & Beggar Woman), and Brad Oscar (as The Beadle) as well as Colin Anderson, Liz Pearce, and Monet Sabel, who will all perform with both companies.
Bill Buckhurst directs the production that is designed by Simon Kenny. An official opening has been set for March 1. The score for the intimate revival has been re-arranged for three musicians.
The creative team also includes set and costume designs by Simon Kenny, music supervision and arrangement by Benjamin Cox, music direction by Matt Aument, lighting design by Amy Mae, sound design by Matt Stine, casting by Telsey + Company / Cesar A. Rocha, CSA, and production stage management by Richard A. Hodge.
Sweeney Todd features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond.
This production of the tale of blood-thirsty barber Sweeney Todd and resourceful pie-shop proprietress Mrs. Lovett, according to press notes, “immerses audiences in a completely new theatrical experience. This Sweeney Todd comes to New York City following sold-out runs in London where the show debuted in Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop, the oldest continuously operating pie shop in the city, before transferring (by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh) to a West End venue on Shaftesbury Avenue. The working pie-shop environment will be re-created at the Barrow Street Theatre.”
Sweeney Todd is produced by Rachel Edwards, Jenny Gersten, Seaview Productions, Fiona Rudin, Barrow Street Theatre, Jean Doumanian, Rebecca Gold, and Nate Koch (executive producer).
Tickets are currently on sale through August 13. The Barrow Street Theatre is located at 27 Barrow Street, NYC.
Visit SweeneyToddNYC.com.
