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  Sweeney Todd
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
 
 

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Based on a Version of "Sweeney Todd" by Christopher Bond

Productions


1979 Broadway Production

Previews began February 6, 1979 at the Uris Theatre, NYC
Ran for 19 preview performances

Opened March 1, 1979 at the Uris Theatre
Closed June 29, 1980; Ran for 557 performances
Produced by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in association with Dean and Judy Manos
Directed by Harold Prince
Dance and Movement by Larry Fuller
Production Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Franne Lee
Lighting Designed by Ken Billington
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Direction by Paul Gemignani

Cast

Anthony Hope - Victor Garber
Sweeney Todd - Len Cariou
Beggar Woman - Merle Louise
Mrs. Lovett - Angela Lansbury
Judge Turpin - Edmund Lyndeck
Beadle Bamford - Jack Eric Williams
Johanna - Sarah Rice
Tobias Ragg - Ken Jennings
Pirelli - Joaquin Romaguera
Jonas Fogg - Robert Ousley

The Company - Duane Bodin, Walter Charles, Carole Doscher, Nancy Eaton, Mary-Pat Green, Cris Groenendaal, Skip Harris, Marthe Ihde, Betsy Joslyn, Nancy Killmer, Frank Kopyc, Spain Logue, Craig Lucas, Pamela McLernon, Duane Morris, Richard Warren Pugh, Maggie Task
Swings - Heather B. Withers, Robert Hendersen

Note: On March 4, 1980, Dorothy Loudon and George Hearn took over the roles of Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd.  A1so during the production's run, Cris Groenendaal and Betsy Joslyn took over the roles of Anthony and Johanna.

Musical Numbers

Prologue

  • "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" - Company

Act One

  • "No Place Like London" - Anthony, Sweeney, Beggar Woman
  • "The Barber and His Wife" - Sweeney
  • "The Worst Pies in London" - Mrs. Lovett
  • * "Poor Thing" - Mrs. Lovett
  • "My Friends" - Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett
  • * "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" - Johanna
  • * "Ah, Miss" - Anthony, Beggar Woman
  • "Johanna" - Anthony
  • * "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" - Tobias, Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett, Company
  • * "The Contest" - Pirelli
  • * "Wait" - Mrs. Lovett
  • * "Kiss Me" - Johanna, Anthony
  • * "Ladies in Their Sensitivities" - The Beadle
  • "Kiss Me/Ladies in Their Sensitivities [Quartet]" - Johanna, Anthony, The Beadle, Judge Turpin
  • "Pretty Women" - Sweeney, Judge Turpin
  • "Epiphany" - Sweeney
  • "A Little Priest" - Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett

Act Two

  • "God, That's Good" - Tobias, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Beggar Woman, Company
  • "Johanna" - Anthony, Sweeney, Johanna, Beggar Woman
  • "By the Sea" - Mrs. Lovett
  • * Wigmaker Sequence - Sweeney, Anthony, Company
  • * "The Letter" - Sweeney, Company
  • "Not While I'm Around" - Tobias, Mrs. Lovett
  • * "Parlor Songs" - The Beadle, Mrs. Lovett, Tobias
  • Final Sequence
    • * "City on Fire!" - Lunatics, Johanna, Anthony
    • * "Searching"- Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Beggar Woman, Anthony, Johanna
    • "The Judge's Return" - Sweeney, Beggar Woman, Judge Turpin
    • Final Scene - Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Tobias

Epilogue

  • "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" - Company

* These numbers were cut for the Highlights releases of the Cast Album
"Johanna (Judge's Song)" was cut in previews, but recorded for the Original Cast Album

Tony Awards

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards

  • Best Production of a Musical
  • Best Musical Score (Stephen Sondheim)
  • Best Lyrics for a Musical (Stephen Sondheim)
  • Best Book for a Musical (Hugh Wheeler)
  • Best Actress in a Musical (Angela Lansbury)
  • Best Actor in a Musical (Len Cariou)
  • Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ken Jennings)
  • Best Costume Design (Franne Lee)
  • Best Scenic Design (Eugene Lee)

Drama Desk Awards

Other Awards

  • Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical

Recording

Original Broadway Cast Recording

1980 London Production

Opened July 2, 1980 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Closed November 15, 1980; Ran for 157 performances
Produced by Robert Stigwood in association with David Land,
by arrangement with Richard Barr, Charles Woodward,
Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, and Martin Richards
Directed by Harold Prince
Dance and Movement by Larry Fuller
Production Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Franne Lee
Lighting Designed by Ken Billington
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Director: Ray Cook

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Denis Quilley
Mrs. Lovett - Sheila Hancock
Beggar Woman - Dilys Watling
Tobias - Michael Staniforth
Anthony - Andrew C. Wadsworth
Johanna - Mandy More
Judge Turpin - Austin Kent
Beadle Bamford - David Wheldon-Williams
Pirelli - John Aron
Jonas Fogg - Oz Clarke

The Company - Sylvia Beamish, Michael Bulman, Simon Butteriss, Oz Clarke, Linda D'Arcy, Victoria Duncan, Katherine Dyson, Mercia Glossop, Andrew Golder, Stuart Haycock, Stephen Hill, Marie Jackson, Diane Mansfield, Neil Michael, William Relton, Myra Sands, Suzanne Sloan, Grant Smith, Rex Taylor Craig, David Urwin

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, except "Parlor Songs" was dropped and a new song "Beggar Woman's Lullaby" was added]

Awards

  • London Standard Drama Award for Best Musical
  • Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Musical
  • Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Dennis Quilley)

1980 National Touring Production

Tour began October 24, 1980 in Washington DC
Concluded August, 1981 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Los Angeles CA
Produced by Richard Barr and Charles Woodward
Directed by Harold Prince
Dance and Movement by Larry Fuller
Production Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Franne Lee
Lighting Designed by Ken Billington
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Direction by Paul Gemignani
Musical Conductor: Jim Coleman

Cast

Anthony Hope - Cris Groenendaal
Sweeney Todd - George Hearn
Beggar Woman - Angelina R�aux [replaced by Pamela McLernon, then by Sara Woods]
Mrs. Lovett - Angela Lansbury
Judge Turpin - Edmund Lyndeck
The Beadle - Calvin Remsberg
Johanna - Betsy Joslyn
Tobias Ragg - Ken Jennings
Pirelli - Sal Mistretta
The Birdseller - Spain Logue
The Passerby - Walter Charles
Jonas Fogg - Michael Kalinyen
Stand-by for Angela Lansbury - Denise Lor

The Company - Walter Charles, Roy Gioconda, Skip Harris, Terry Iten, Michael Kalinyen, Spain Logue, Carolyn Marlow, Duane Morris, Patricia Parker, Meredith Rawlins, Stuart Redfield, Dee Etta Rowe, Carrie Solomon, Joseph Warner
Swings - Cheryl Mae Stewart, James Edward Justiss, Stephen G. Hults

1982 National Touring Production

Tour opened on February 23, 1982 at the Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington, Delaware
Closed on July 17, 1982 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, Canada
Presented by Tom Mallow, in association with James Janek
Directed by Harold Prince
Dance and Movement: Larry Fuller
Assistant to Director: Arthur Masella
Setting: Eugene Lee
Costumes: Franne Lee
Lighting: Ken Billington
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Supervisor: Paul Gemignani
Musical Director: Randy Booth
Stage Managers: Luis Montero, Richard Warren Pugh

Cast

Anthony Hope - Spain Logue
Sweeney Todd - Ross Petty
Beggar Woman - Carolyn Marlow
Mrs. Lovett - June Havoc
Judge Turpin - Robert Ousley
The Beadle - Calvin Remsberg
Johanna - Melanie Vaughn
Tobias Ragg - Steven Jacob
Pirelli - Richard Warren Pugh
Jonas Fogg - Michael Kalinyen

The Company - Skip Harris, Mary Johansen, James Edward Justiss, Michael Kalinyen, Steven Kosinski, Duane Morris, Meredith Rawlins, Michael Rockne, Clark Sayre, Laury Tatz, Joyce Tomanec, Maryrose Wood
Swings: Edmund John Koury, Colleen McNamara

1982 Television Version

Taped before an audience at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles during the first national tour, with additional taping done in an empty theatre.
Televised on September 12, 1982 on The Entertainment Channel
In addition to credits of the original production:
Presented by RKO/Nederlander and The Entertainment Channel
Executive Producers: Ellen M. Krass, Archer King
Produced by Bonnie Burns
Executive in Charge of Production: James Rich, Jr.
Directed for Television by Terry Hughes
Lighting Designed for Television by Bill Klages
Musical Conductor: Jim Coleman

Cast

Anthony Hope - Cris Groenendaal
Sweeney Todd - George Hearn
Beggar Woman - Sara Woods
Mrs. Lovett - Angela Lansbury
Judge Turpin - Edmund Lyndeck
The Beadle - Calvin Remsberg
Johanna - Betsy Joslyn
Tobias Ragg - Ken Jennings
Pirelli - Sal Mistretta
The Birdseller - Spain Logue
The Passerby - Walter Charles
Jonas Fogg - Michael Kalinyen

The Company - Walter Charles, Roy Gioconda, Skip Harris, Michael Kalinyen, Spain Logue, Duane Morris, Patricia Parker, Meredith Rawlins, Stuart Redfield, Candace Rogers, Dee Etta Rowe, Carrie Solomon, Melanie Vaughan, Joseph Warner
Swings - Cheryl Mae Stewart, James Edward Justiss, William Kirk

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, except "Parlor Songs" and the latter half of "The Contest" (tooth-pulling sequence) were dropped]

Awards

  • Emmy Awards
    • Best Direction [Terry Hughes]
    • Best Performance [George Hearn]
  • ACE Awards
    • Best Direction [Terry Hughes]
    • Best Actor [George Hearn]
    • Best Actress [Angela Lansbury ]
    • Best Musical Program

Video Recording

  • Videotape [VHS], 1984 [RKO Videogroup RKO 1002] [139 mins.]
  • Laserdisc, 1990 [Turner Home Entertainment / Image ID6423TU]
  • Videotape [VHS], 1991 [Turner Home Entertainment 1559606487]
  • DVD, 2004 [Warner Home Video]

Sweeney Todd [Television cast]

1984 Houston Grand Opera Production

Opened June 14, 1984 at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Houston TX
Closed June 24, 1984; Ran for 10 performances
Presented by the Houston Grand Opera
[David Gockley, General Director; John DeMain, Music Director]
Conductor: John DeMain
Directed by Harold Prince
Assistant to Mr. Prince: Arthur Masella
Production Designer: Eugene Lee
Costume Designer: Franne Lee
Lighting Designer: Ken Billington
Original Choreography: Larry Fuller
Original Choreography re-created by William Kirk
Sound Design: Jerry O'Brate
Chorus Preparation: Conoley Ballard
Musical Preparation: Stephen Sulich (Principal Coach) and
Craig Bohmler (Assisting Coach)
Technical Director: Drew Landmesser

Cast

Anthony Hope - Cris Groenendaal
Sweeney Todd - Timothy Nolen
Beggar Woman - Adair Gockley
Mrs. Lovett - Joyce Castle
Judge Turpin - Will Roy
The Beadle - Barry Busse
Johanna - Lee Merrill
Tobias Ragg - Steven
Jacob Pirelli - Joseph Evans
Jonas Fogg - Rodney Stenberg

Chorus - Robert Ard, Leslie Cole, David Edlund, Lauren Edlund, Mary Jane Ely, Janey Hall, Patricia Hendrickson, Darlene Hitchman, Eileen Kroyl, Scott Marshall, Ruth Porter, David Rumpy, Carl Saloga, Robert Sheets, James Sikorski, Margaret Stenborg, Rodney Stenborg, Diana Stoerzbach, James Tinkle, Graydon Vaughn

Supernumeraries - Al Briscoe, Richard Engels, Walt Jaeschke, Bob Mitchell, Julie Stenborg, Mike Talcott, Charles Williams

1984 New York City Opera Production

Opened October 11, 1984 at the New York State Theater
Closed November 18, 1984; Ran for 13 performances
Presented by the New York City Opera
[Beverly Sills, General Director; Christopher Keene, Musical Director]
Conducted by Paul Gemignani
Directed by Harold Prince
Assistant to Mr. Prince: Arthur Masella
Scenery Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Franne Lee
Lighting Designed by Ken Billington
Choreography by Larry Fuller

This production based upon the Houston Grand Opera Production

Cast

(Second Cast in parentheses)

Anthony Hope - Cris Groenendaal
Sweeney Todd - Timothy Nolen (Stanley Wexler)
Beggar Woman - Ivy Austin (Brooks Almy)
Mrs. Lovett - Rosalind Elias (Joyce Castle) (Elaine Bonazzi)
Judge Turpin - William Dansby (Will Roy)
The Beadle - John Lankston
Johanna - Leigh Munro (Sheryl Woods)
Tobias Ragg - Paul Binotto
Pirelli - Jerrold Siena
Jonas Fogg - William Ledbetter
Ensemble - New York City Opera Chorus

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, with the addition of "Johanna (Judge's Song)" and "The Beggar Woman's Lullaby"]

1985 London Revival

Opened May 1, 1985 at the Half Moon Theatre, London
Ran for 33 performances
Presented by the Half Moon Theatre, Mile End
Directed by Chris Bond
Production Designed by Ellen Cairns
Costume Supervisor: Jayne Lambert
Lighting Designer: Jimmy Simmons
Musical Director: Graham Pike
Sound Designer: Tim Foster
Musical Arrangements: Rick Juckes

Cast

Anthony Hope - Christopher Snell
Sweeney Todd - Leon Greene
Beggar Woman - Ruth Mayo
Mrs. Lovett - Gillian Hanna
Judge Turpin - Bernard Martin
Beadle Bamford - Edward Clayton
Johanna - Eithne Hannigan
Tobias Ragg - Andrew Schofield
Pirelli - John Aron
Bird Seller - Judith Street

1989 Off-Broadway Production

Originally presented off-off Broadway by the York Theatre Company
[Producing Director: Janet Hayes Walker;
Managing Director: Molly Pickering Grose]
Opened March 31, 1989 at the Church of the Heavenly Rest
Closed April 29, 1989; Ran for 24 performances

Sweeney Todd [1989 Revival Playbill]

Previews began August 5, 1989 at the Circle in the Square Theatre
Ran for 46 preview performances
Opened September 14, 1989
Closed February 25, 1990; Ran for 189 performances
Produced by Circle in the Square Theatre
[Artistic Director: Theodore Mann;
Producing Director: Paul Libin]
Directed by Susan H. Schulman
Choreographed by Michael Lichtefeld
Scenic Design/Graphics by James Morgan
Costume Design by Beba Shamash
Lighting Design by May Jo Dondlinger
Musical Director: David Krane

Cast

Anthony Hope - Jim Walton
Sweeney Todd - Bob Gunton
Beggar Woman - SuEllen Estey
Mrs. Lovett - Beth Fowler
Judge Turpin - David Barron
The Beadle - Michael McCarty
Johanna - Gretchen Kingsley-Weihe
Tobias Ragg - Eddie Korbich
Pirelli - Bill Nabel
Jonas Fogg - Tony Gilbert
Policeman - David E. Mallard
Birdseller - Ted Keegan
Dora - Sylvia Rhyne
Mrs. Mooney - Mary Ellen Phillips
Ensemble - Tony Gilbert, David E. Mallard, Ted Keegan, Sylvia Rhyne, Mary Ellen Phillips

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, with the following exceptions: adds "Johanna (Judge's Song)"; drops "The Barber and His Wife" and the "Kiss Me/Ladies in Their Sensitivities" Quartet]

1993 Royal National Theatre Production

Sweeney Todd [1993 National Theatre Program]

Opened June 2, 1993 at the Cottesloe Theatre, London
Closed October 19, 1993
Re-opened in repertory on December 16, 1993 at the Lyttelton Theatre, London
Closed June 1, 1994
Presented by the Royal National Theatre
Directed by Declan Donnellan
Designed by Nick Ormerod
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Director: Paddy Cunneen

Cast

Anthony Hope - Adrian Lester
Sweeney Todd - Alun Armstrong (Cottesloe production)
Sweeney Todd - Denis Quilley (Lyttelton transfer)
Beggar Woman - Sheila Reid
Mrs. Lovett - Julia McKenzie
Judge Turpin - Denis Quilley (Cottesloe production)
Judge Turpin - Christopher Benjamin (Lyttelton transfer)
The Beadle - Barry James
Johanna - Carol Starks
Tobias Ragg - Adrian Lewis Morgan
Pirelli - Nick Holder
Birdseller - Philip Curtis
Fogg - Stephen Hanley

Ensemble for Cottesloe production:
Di Botcher, Antoni Garfield Henry, Megan Kelly, Martin Nelson, Ernestina Quarcoo

Ensemble for Lyttleton transfer:
Di Botcher, Megan Kelly, Mandy More, Martin Nelson, Peter Prentice, Ernestina Quarcoo, Rhashan Stone

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, with the following exception: adds "Johanna (Judge's Song)"]

Lawrence Olivier Awards

  • Best Musical Revival
  • Best Director of a Musical (Declan Donnellan)
  • Best Actor in a Musical (Alun Armstrong)
  • Best Actress in a Musical (Julia McKenzie)

Radio Recording

This production (with Denis Quilley as Sweeney Todd) was recorded by the BBC for broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in July, 1994

1996 Goodspeed Opera House Production

Ran from April 10 - June 21, 1996 at the Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT
Directed by Gabriel Barre
Set Designer: Charles E. McCarry
Costume Designer: Pamela Scofield
Lighting Designer: Phil Monat
Musical Director: Michael O'Flaherty

Cast

Anthony Hope - Jesse Bush
Sweeney Todd - Allen Fitzpatrick, Timothy Nolen
Beggar Woman - Rebecca Judd
Mrs. Lovett - Barbara Marineau
Judge Turpin - David Pursley
The Beadle - Bill Nolte
Johanna - Nancy Anderson
Tobias Ragg - James Holdridge
Pirelli - Michael Brian

Ensemble: Abigail Bailey, Andy Gale, Julie James, Angela C. Howell, Christopher Kauffmann, Seth Malkin, Michael McCoy, Harry Sokol, Tina Stafford, Susan Tilson, Price Waldman, Paul G. Woodson

1996 Leicester Haymarket Production

Ran from November to December, 1996
at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester UK
Directed by Paul Kerryson
Design: Paul Farnsworth
Musical Direction: Julian Kelly
Lighting: Jenny Cane
Sound: Frank Bradley

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Dave Willetts
Mrs. Lovett - Jeanette Ranger
Anthony - Jeremy Finch
Johanna - Josephine Baird
Judge Turpin - Mark Roper
Beadle Bamford - Peter Edbrook
Pirelli / Mr. Fogg - Peter Cormican
Tobias - Stuart De La Mere
Beggar Woman - Angela Lloyd

The People - Valda Aviks, Sylvia Griffin, Frazer Lincoln, Lesley McClymont, Andrew Newey, and Neil Rose

2000 Bridewell Production

Opened June 14, 2000 at Bridewell Theatre, London
Closed July 15, 2000
Directed by Richard James
Production Designed by Ferdia Murphy
Costumes Designed by Kevin Knight
Lighting Designed by Chris Davey
Musical Staging by Bill Deamer
Musical Direction by Stuart Pedlar


Cast

Anthony Hope - Joshua Dallas
Sweeney Todd - Michael McLean
Beggar Woman - Dianne Pilkington
Mrs. Lovett - Jessica Martin
Judge Turpin - Mark Inscoe
Beadle Bamford - Richard Winch
Johanna - Sophie Millett
Tobias Ragg - Michael Kerry
Pirelli - Ian Mowat
Jonas Fogg - Marc Ellery

Ensemble: Vicki Byard, Emma Edwards,
Marc Ellery, Sion Lloyd

2001 Television Concert

Broadcast October 31, 2001 on PBS
Performed July 19-21, 2001 at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Directed by Lonny Price
Musical Director: Rob Fisher
Set Designer: Jeff Noone
Lighting Designer: Greg Brunton
Sound Designer: Tom Clark
Costume Designer: Gail Brassard
Movement Consultant: Francine Landes
Wig Designer: Paul Huntley
Production Coordinator: Alexis Ross
Script Supervisor: Jean Severson
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rob Fisher
San Francisco Symphony Chorus directed by Vance George
Costumes by Gail Brassard
Lighting by Greg Brunton

This concert version was based on the New York Philharmonic concerts of May, 2000.  It was subsequently performed at the 2001 Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois.  Follow this link for cast and production credits for the New York concerts.

Cast

Sweeney Todd - George Hearn
Mrs. Lovett - Patti LuPone
Anthony - Davis Gaines
Johanna - Lisa Vroman
Judge Turpin - Timothy Nolen
Beadle Bamford - John Aler
Pirelli - Stanford Olsen
Tobias - Neil Patrick Harris
Beggar Woman - Victoria Clark
Ensemble - San Francisco Symphony Chorus

Video Recording

Sweeney Todd in Concert
Co-produced by Ellen M. Krass Productions and KQED San Francisco
Executive producer: Chase Mishkin
Co-executive producers: Mort Swinsky and Ellen Krass
Produced by Jeff Thorsen and Iris Merlis
Directed by Lonny Price
Associate Director: Judi Elterman
Edited by Gary Bradley

  • DVD, 2002 [Image 1529]
  • Videotape [VHS], 2002 [Image 1528] (132 mins.)

Sweeney Todd in Concert

2002 Kennedy Center Production

Opened May 10, 2002 at the Eisenhower Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Washington DC
Closed June 30, 2002 after a limited engagement of 17 performances
Produced for The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by Max Woodward
[James A. Johnson, Chairman; Michael M. Kaiser, President;
Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director; Kay Cameron, Music Supervisor]

Sweeney Todd [Kennedy Center Production]

Directed by Christopher Ashley
Choreography by Daniel Pelzig
Musical Direction by Larry Blank
Scenic Design by Derek McLane
Costume Design by David C. Woolard
Lighting Design by Howell Binkley
Sound Design by Tom Morse
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Technical Director: Neil Fleitell

Cast

Anthony Hope - Hugh Panaro
Sweeney Todd - Brian Stokes Mitchell
Beggar Woman - Mary Beth Peil
Mrs. Lovett - Christine Baranski
Judge Turpin - Walter Charles
The Beadle - Ray Friedeck
Johanna - Celia Kennan-Bolger
Tobias Ragg - Mark Price
Pirelli - Kevin Ligon
Jonas Fogg - Steven Cupo
Birdseller - Tim Tourbin
Gravedigger - Eric Lee Johnson
The Company - Alan Araya, Steven Cupo, Ilona Dulaski, Daniel Felton, Michael L. Forrest, Janine Gulisano, Deanna Harris, Larry Hylton, Eric Lee Johnson, Bob McDonald, Jane Pesci-Townsend, Teresa Reid, Nanette Savard, Tim Tourbin, Susan Wheeler

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production, with the additions of "Johanna (Judge's Song)" and "The Beggar Woman's Lullaby"]

2002 Opera North Production

Opened June 7, 2002 at Sadler�s Wells, London
Closed June 15, 2002; Ran for 9 performances
Produced by Opera North
Directed by David McVicar
Co-directed and choreographed by Jonathan Butterell
Production Designed by Michael Vale
Costumes Designed by Kevin Knight
Lighting Designed by Paule Constable
Conducted by James Holmes / Philip Sutherland

This production had previously toured Leeds, Salford, Nottingham, Newcastle and Sheffield

Cast

Anthony Hope - Daniel Broad / Byron Watson
Sweeney Todd - Steven Page
Beggar Woman - Gillian Kirkpatrick
Mrs. Lovett - Beverley Klein
Judge Turpin - Malcolm Rivers
Beadle Bamford - Stephen Briggs
Johanna - Anna-Clare Monk
Tobias Ragg - Christopher Saunders
Pirelli - Stuart Kale / Peter Bodenham
Jonas Fogg - Paul Wade
Ensemble: Opera North Chorus

2002 Lyric Opera of Chicago Production

Opened November 18, 2002 at the Civic Opera House, Chicago IL
Closed December 22, 2002 after a limited engagement of 12 performances
Produced by The Lyric Opera of Chicago
[William Mason, General Director; Sir Andrew Davis, Music Director;
Matthew A. Epstein, Artistic Director]
Conductor: Paul Gemignani
Stage Director: Neil Armfield
Set Designer: Brian Thomson
Costume Designer: Tess Schofield
Lighting Designer: Rory Dempster
Sound Designer: Otts Munderloh
Chorus Master: Donald Palumbo
Choreographer: Denni Sayers
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Bryn Terfel
Mrs. Lovett - Judith Christin
Anthony - Nathan Gunn
Judge Turpin - Timothy Nolen
Johanna - Celena Shafer
Tobias - David Cangelosi
Beggar Woman - Sheri Greenawald
Beadle Bamford - Matthew Lord
Pirelli - Bonaventura Bottone
Jonas Fogg - Roger Honeywell

2003 Royal Opera House Production

Opened December 15, 2003 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Closed January 14, 2004; Ran in repertory for 9 performances
Presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited
on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York
Conducted by Paul Gemignani
Directed by Neil Armfield
Set Designs by Brian Thomson
Costumes Designs by Tess Schofield
Lighting by Rory Dempster
Choreography by Denni Sayers

This production is based on the 2002 Lyric Opera of Chicago production

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Thomas Allen
Mrs. Lovett - Felicity Palmer
Anthony Hope - William Dazeley
Johanna - Rebecca Evans
Tobias Ragg - Doug Jones
Judge Turpin - Jonathan Veira
The Beadle - Robert Tear
Pirelli - Bonaventura Bottone
Beggar Woman - Rosalind Plowright
Jonas Fogg - Matthew Rose

2004 Watermill Theatre Production

Sweeney Todd [2004 New Ambassadors poster]

Opened February 4, 2004
at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury UK
Closed March 27, 2004
Produced by the Watermill Theatre
[Artistic Director: Jill Fraser]
Played at the Bath Theatre Royal April 20-24, 2004
Liverpool Playhouse April 27 - May 1, 2004
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Hudderfield May 4-8, 2004
Northcott Theatre, Exeter May 11-15, 2004
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford May 17-22, 2004
Lowry Arts Centre, Salford May 25-29, 2004
Previews began July 22, 2004 at Trafalgar Studios, London
Opened July 27, 2004; closed October 9, 2004
Directed and designed by John Doyle
Arrangements and musical direction by Sarah Travis
Lighting by Richard G Jones
Sound by Chris Full

Production transferred October 13, 2004
to the New Ambassadors Theatre, London
Closed February 5, 2005
Produced by Adam Kenwright

Note: This production formed the basis for the 2005 Broadway Revival

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Paul Hegarty
Anthony Hope - David Ricardo-Pearce
Beggar Woman - Rebecca Jackson
Mrs. Lovett - Karen Mann
Judge Turpin - Colin Wakefield
Beadle Bamford - Michael Howcroft
Johanna - Rebecca Jenkins
Tobias Ragg - Sam Kenyon
Pirelli / Fogg - Stephanie Jacob

2004 New York City Opera Revival

Opened March 5, 2004 at the New York State Theater
Closed March 28, 2004; Ran for 16 performances
Presented by the New York City Opera
[Paul Kellogg, General and Artistic Director]
Conducted by George Manahan
Directed by Harold Prince
Stage Director: Arthur Masella
Scenery Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Franne Lee
Lighting Designed by Ken Billington
Choreography by Larry Fuller
Sound Designed by Abe JAcob
Chorus Master: Gary Wedow

This production is a revival of the 1984 New York City Opera production
which was based upon the Houston Grand Opera Production

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Mark Delavan / Timothy Nolen
Anthony Hope - Keith Phares / Scott Hogsed
Beggar Woman - Judith Blazer
Mrs. Lovett - Elaine Paige / Myrna Paris
Judge Turpin - Walter Charles
The Beadle - Roland Rusinek
Johanna - Sarah Coburn / Tonna Miller
Tobias Ragg - Keith Jameson
Pirelli - Andrew Drost
Jonas Fogg - William Ledbetter
Ensemble - New York City Opera Chorus

2005 Broadway Revival

Previews began October 3, 2005 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Ran for 35 previews

Sweeney Todd [2005 Broadway Revival]

Opened November 3, 2005
Closed September 3, 2006; 349 performances
Produced by Thomas Viertel, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Adam Kenwright and Tulchin/Bartner/Bagert
Director and Designer: John Doyle
Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator: Sarah Travis
Resident Music Director: David Loud
Musical Coordinator: John Miller
Lighting Designer: Richard G Jones
Sound Designer: Dan Moses Schreier
Wig and Hair Designer: Paul Huntley
Make-Up Design by Angelina Avallone
Associate Set Designer (Broadway): Ted LeFevre
Associate Costume Designer (Broadway): Patrick Chevillot
Assistant Costume Design: Rosemary Lepre
Associate Lighting Designer (Broadway): Paul Miller
Associate Sound Designer (Broadway): David Bullard

Note: This production is based on the 2004 Watermill Theatre Production

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Michael Cerveris (Guitar, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
Anthony Hope - Benjamin Magnuson (Cello, Keyboard)
Beggar Woman - Diana DiMarzio (Clarinet)
Mrs. Lovett - Patti LuPone (Tuba, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
Judge Turpin - Mark Jacoby (Trumpet, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
The Beadle - Alexander Gemignani (Keyboard, Trumpet)
Johanna - Lauren Molina (Cello, Penny Whistle)
Tobias - Manoel Felciano (Violin, Clarinet, Keyboard)
Pirelli - Donna Lynn Champlin (Accordion, Keyboard, Flute)
Jonas Fogg - John Arbo (Bass)
Stand-bys - Merwin Foard, Dorothy Stanley, Benjamin Eakeley, and Elisa Winter

Musical Numbers

[same as the Broadway Production]

Tony Awards

  • Best Direction of a Musical (John Doyle)
  • Best Orchestrations (Sarah Travis)

Drama Desk Awards

  • Outstanding Revival of a Musical
  • Outstanding Director of a Musical (John Doyle)
  • Outstanding Orchestrations (Sarah Travis)
  • Outstanding Lighting Design (Richard G. Jones)

Recording

2005 Broadway Revival Recording

2007 National Touring Production

Produced by Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Ambassador Theatre Group, Adam Kenwright, Tulchin/Bartner/Bagert, and Broadway Across America
Originally produced by The Watermill Theatre, UK
Director and Designer: John Doyle
Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator: Sarah Travis
Music Director: David Loud
Resident Music Director: Andy Einhorn
Musical Coordinator: John Miller
Lighting Designer: Richard G Jones
Sound Designer: Dan Moses Schreier
Wig and Hair Designer: Paul Huntley
Make-Up Design by Angelina Avallone
Associate Director: Adam John Hunter
Production Stage Manager: Newton Cole
Stage Manager: Kimberly Mark Webb

Note: This production is based on the 2005 Broadway Revival Production

Performances

Pre-tour engagement ran from August 30 - October 14, 2007 at the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco

Boston, MA: Colonial Theatre (October 23 - November 4, 2007)
Toronto, ON: Princess of Wales Theatre (November 6 - December 9, 2007)
Columbus, OH: Palace Theatre (December 11-16, 2007)
Miami, FL: Carnival Center for the Performing Arts (January 1-6, 2008)
Kansas City, MO: Music Hall (January 8-13, 2008)
Dallas, TX: Majestic Theatre (January 15-20, 2008)
Greenville, SC: The Peace Center (January 22-27, 2008)
Pittsburgh, PA: Heinz Hall (January 29 - February 3, 2008)
Minneapolis, MN: State Theatre (February 5-10, 2008)
Louisville, KY: Kentucky Center (February 12-17, 2008)
Cincinnati, OH: Aronoff Center for the Arts (February 19 - March 2, 2008)
Los Angeles, CA: Ahmanson Theatre (March 11 - April 6, 2008)
Portland, OR: Keller Auditorium (April 8-13, 2008)
Tempe, AZ: ASU Gammage Auditorium (April 15-20, 2008)
Chicago, IL: Cadillac Palace Theatre (April 23 - May 4, 2008)
St. Petersburg, FL: Mahaffey Theater (May 6-11, 2008)
West Palm Beach, FL: Kravis Center (May 13-18, 2008)
Atlanta, GA: Fox Theater (May 27 - June 1, 2008)
Houston, TX: Hobby Center (June 3-15, 2008)
Denver, CO: Buell Theatre (June 17-29, 2008)

Cast

Sweeney Todd - David Hess (Trumpet, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
Anthony Hope - Benjamin Magnuson (Cello, Keyboard)
Beggar Woman - Diana DiMarzio (Clarinet, Keyboard)
Mrs. Lovett - Judy Kaye (Tuba, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
Judge Turpin - Keith Buterbaugh (Trumpet, Orchestra Bells, Percussion)
The Beadle - Benjamin Eakeley (Clarinet, Keyboard, Saxophone)
Johanna - Lauren Molina (Cello)
Tobias - Edmund Bagnell (Violin, Clarinet)
Pirelli - Katrina Yaukey (Accordion, Keyboard, Flute)
Jonas Fogg - John Arbo (Bass) [replaced by Steve McIntyre in some performances]
Stand-bys - Edwin Cahill, David Garry, Elisa Winter, Jessica Wright [replaced by Megan Loomis]

Alexander Gemignani played the role of Sweeney Todd from November 13 - December 16, 2007. David Garry also played the role at vaious times as well.

2007 Film Version

Sweeney Todd [2007 Film Poster]

Released by Dreamworks Pictures and Warner Brothers Pictures on December 21, 2007
A production of Parkes/MacDonald Productions and The Zanuck Company
Produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and John Logan
Directed by Tim Burton
Screenplay by John Logan
Based on the musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Director of photography: Dariusz Wolski
Edited by Chris Lebenzon
Production design by Dante Ferretti
Art direction by David Warren
Set decoration by Francesca Lo Schiavo
Costume Design by Colleen Atwood
Conducted by Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Johnny Depp
Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter
Judge Turpin - Alan Rickman
Beadle Bamford - Timothy Spall
Signor Adolfo Pirelli - Sacha Baron Cohen
Anthony Hope - Jamie Campbell Bower
Beggar Woman - Laura Michelle Kelly
Johanna - Jayne Wisener
Tobias Ragg - Edward Sanders

Musical Numbers

  • Opening Title - Orchestra
  • "No Place Like London" - Anthony, Sweeney Todd
  • "The Worst Pies in London" - Mrs. Lovett
  • "Poor Thing" - Mrs. Lovett
  • "My Friends" - Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett
  • "Alms! Alms! - Beggar Woman
  • "Johanna" - Anthony
  • "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" - Tobias, Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett
  • "The Contest" - Pirelli
  • "Wait" - Mrs. Lovett
  • "Ladies in Their Sensitivities" - Beadle
  • "Pretty Women" - Judge Turpin, Sweeney Todd
  • "Epiphany" - Sweeney Todd
  • "A Little Priest" - Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd
  • "Johanna" - Anthony, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman
  • "God, That's Good" - Tobias, Mrs. Lovett
  • "By the Sea" - Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd
  • "Not While I'm Around" - Tobias, Mrs. Lovett
  • Final Scene - Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman, Judge Turpin

Audio Recording

2007 Film Soundtrack Recording

Video Recording

  • DVD, April 2008 [DreamWorks Home Entertainment] [Single-disc Edition] (116 mins.)
  • DVD, April 2008 [DreamWorks Home Entertainment 13215] [Two-disc Special Edition]
  • DVD, May 2008 [DreamWorks Home Entertainment] [Blu-Ray Edition]

2012 London Revival
Sweeney Todd [2012 London Revival]

Previews began March 10, 2012 at Adelphi Theatre, London
Opened March 20, 2012
Closed September 22, 2012 after 207 performances
Produced by Playful Productions, Robert G Bartner, Old Vic Productions, Matthew Mitchell, Roger Berlind, Daniel Sparrow and Mike Walsh Productions, Joseph Smith/Michael McCabe, and Parnassus Enterprises Inc.
Directed by Jonathan Kent
Designed by Anthony Ward
Choreography by Denni Sayers
Lighting Design by Mark Henderson
Sound Design by Paul Groothuis
Musical Direction by Nicholas Skilbeck
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

This production is based on the 2011 Chichester Festival Production, which previewed from September 24, opened on October 6, and closed on November 5, 2011.

Cast

Sweeney Todd - Michael Ball
Anthony Hope - Luke Brady
Beggar Woman - Gillian Kirkpatrick
Mrs. Lovett - Imelda Staunton
Judge Turpin - John Bowe
Beadle Bamford - Peter Polycarpou
Johanna - Lucy May Barker
Tobias - James McConville
Pirelli - Robert Burt (replaced by Jason Manford from July 2 to July 27)
Jonas Fogg - Simeon Truby
Ensemble - Valda Aviks, Will Barratt, Josie Benson, Emily Bull,
John Coates, Daniel Graham, Robine Landi, Tim Morgan, Aoife Nally,
Adam Pearce, Wendy Somerville, Kerry Washington, and Annabelle Williams

Recording

2012 London Revival Recording

Publications
Book

Sweeney Todd [book]

Score [complete]
  • Ft. Lauderdale FL: Revelation Music Publishing / Rilting Music, 1981; 389 pp.
  • Miami FL: Warner Bros. Publications VAL 2021B [1-57623-855-5], March 1997; 399 pp. [edited by Sy Feldman] $100.00
Score [selections]
  • New York: Revelation Music Publishing, 1979; 40 pp. [includes "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd", "Johanna", "Wait"; "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", "Pretty Women", "By the Sea", "Not While I'm Around"]
  • Miami FL: Warner Bros. Publications [1-57623-562-9], March 1997; 44pp. [edited by Sy Feldman; includes "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd", "Johanna", "Wait"; "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", "Pretty Women", "By the Sea", "Not While I'm Around"] $12.95

Performance rights controlled by Music Theatre International


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Last modified on Thursday, April 10, 2014
Compiled by Michael H. Hutchins