It is the late 1800s, and Queen Victoria is on the throne. A vindictive man returns to London from a penal colony in Australia after 15 years for crimes he did not commit. His wife is dead, and his daughter is under the guardianship of the judge that sent him away for false crimes. On his return, the convict seeks vengeance from the man who wronged him and destroyed his family.
That is the brief synopsis of the 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler thriller musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” It first premiered in March 1979 at the Uris Theatre in New York City. Tony Winner Len Cariou originated the role of Sweeney Todd along with fellow Tony Winner Angela Lansbury, who originated the role of Mrs. Lovett. The musical won 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” has been revived over the years, including the most recent revival on Broadway in 2005 starring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris, and one off-Broadway in 2017. Tim Burton directed the film version in 2007, starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Reportedly, a new Broadway revival is in the works for Spring of 2023. Broadway favorites Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford are said to be performing, with Groban as the title character and Ashford as Mrs. Lovett. Tony-winning Director, Thomas Sail (Hamilton and In The Heights) is said to be directing it, and Jeffrey Seller to be Lead Producer. The musical will be performed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
References
BroadwayWorld. “Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban,” BroadwayWorld.com, 24 Aug. 2022, www.broadwayworld.com/article/Josh-Groban-Annaleigh-Ashford-Led-SWEENEY-TODD-Coming-to-Broadway-20220824.
Chatter, Rialto. “Josh Groban & Annaleigh Ashford-Led SWEENEY TODD Coming to Broadway?” BroadwayWorld.com, 24 Aug. 2022, www.broadwayworld.com/article/Josh-Groban-Annaleigh-Ashford-Led-SWEENEY-TODD-Coming-to-Broadway-20220824. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022.
Playbill. “Sweeney Todd (Broadway, Gershwin Theatre, 1979).” Playbill, 2021, playbill.com/production/sweeney-todd-uris-theatre-vault-0000011061#carousel-cell202000. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022.
Playbill.com. “Original Sweeney Todd Image,” Playbill.com, 2022, playbill.com/production/sweeney-todd-uris-theatre-vault-0000011061#carousel-cell202000.
SuperSummary. “SuperSummary.” SuperSummary, 2022, www.supersummary.com/sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street/summary/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2022.