Sharpen your razor, keep your jugular vein protected and prepare to re-attend the tale of Sweeney Todd: the New York Philharmonic will present a new staged production in March of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,†Stephen Sondheim’s dark and gory musical about a murderous hair-cutter with a thirst for vengeance, it was announced on Monday.
The Philharmonic said in a news release that the title character in its production of “Sweeney Todd,†which features a score by Mr. Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, will be played by Bryn Terfel, the bass-baritone who sang the role of Wotan in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2012 production of Wagner’s “Ring†cycle. This “Sweeney Todd†will be conducted by Alan Gilbert, the music director of the Philharmonic, and directed by Lonny Price, who directed its all-star 2011 production of “Company†as well as its 2010 birthday concert for Mr. Sondheim.
No casting was immediately announced for the role of Mrs. Lovett, the meat-pie purveyor who makes makes special use of Sweeney Todd’s ability for producing dead carcasses, or for the other roles in the musical.
“Sweeney Todd†had its Broadway debut in 1979, in a production that starred Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett. The Philharmonic presented a staged production of “Sweeney Todd†in 2000 directed by Mr. Price and conducted by Andrew Litton, which starred Mr. Hearn and Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone also portrayed the character of Mrs. Lovett in a 2005 Broadway revival opposite Michael Cerveris as Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter played the leads in a 2007 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton.
The Philharmonic’s production of “Sweeney Todd†will run from March 5 through 8.
