Prog Metal Version of Sweeney Todd Will Rock Out Again

Performances will run July 9-Aug. 2.

Written by a team of arrangers known as The Fleet Street Collective, Sweeney Todd - Prog Metal Version premiered in August 2014 as part of Landless Theatre's "Summer of Rock." The show was nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical.

The seven members of The Fleet Street Collective are DC-based metal musicians Lance LaRue, Ray Shaw and Alex Vallejo; Philadelphia-based world musician Spencer Blevins; UK composer and recent NYU musical theatre writing program graduate Andrew Siddle; LTC’s artistic director Andrew L. Baughman; and Charles W. Johnson, who serves as music supervisor and music director for the production.

"Our goal is to take Mr. Sondheim’s work and simply inject it into the prog-metal idiom," said LaRue in an earlier statement. "We’ve managed to preserve nearly every lyric and melody as originally written while 'progging' the orchestration. Sondheim fanatics will find it extremely familiar while the Prog-heads will feel right at home with the chunky 7-string guitar, double-kick drums and extended-range bass lines."

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit atlasarts.org.

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: The Demon Barber Goes Rock! Behind the Scenes at DC's Sweeney Todd - Prog Metal Version

The Birdman Strikes — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: The Demon Barber Goes Rock! Behind the Scenes at DC's Sweeney Todd - Prog Metal Version

The DC-based Landless Theatre Company is currently tearing it up with the first rock orchestration of Stephen Sondheim's *Sweeney Todd*. Associate Artistic Director and cast member Steve Custer, who plays the Birdman, takes us behind the scenes at the groundbreaking production.
92 PHOTOS

Wakey Wakey, Breakfast in Bed, it’s Opening! (World’s best girlfriend & she’s in the show too)

Steve Custer

We got a Telegram from Sondheim!

Steve Custer

Break a Leg Text from friends in MN: There is a real Sweeney Todd Salon!

Steve Custer

Just got off work - Here we go!

Steve Custer

Memes. Mischief. Mischief. Devil’s work.

Steve Custer

Bacon in the morning, Bacon for dinner, Bacon all the time

Steve Custer

Even more shameless car advertising

Steve Custer

She threw that out of her car while I was standing there. Judging... #DCtrash

Steve Custer

Just closed a show in the Capital Fringe Festival. I miss it. #SavingPvtPoo

Steve Custer

The bird calls to me. Sweeney Todd this way.

Steve Custer

I’m asking him to change his ways. Guess I’ll use the mirror in the women’s bathroom. #MJ

Steve Custer

“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little bird too!”

Steve Custer

That moment when your girlfriend is a child prostitute in this show… Yeah…

Steve Custer

I’ll take a slice of bass drum, please.

Steve Custer

Hanging memes up for the Fleet Street Collective. Play me off keyboard cat…

Steve Custer

Enter Biiiiiiiirrrrrdddddddmmmmmmaaaaannnnnn! (Harvey Birdman, anyone?)

Steve Custer

(A la LMFAO’s ‘Shots’)… “Everybody… Props, Props, Props, Props…”

Steve Custer

I’m getting my bloodwork, douchebag.

Steve Custer

Attend the tale of Teeny Todd,<br> He had eight legs and his eyes were odd,<br> He spun his web above gentlemen,<br> Who never thereafter were heard of again, — Attend the tale of Teeny Todd,
He had eight legs and his eyes were odd,
He spun his web above gentlemen,
Who never thereafter were heard of again,

Steve Custer

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