Theater Latté Da stages Stephen Sondheim’s gruesome, gritty musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with a bloody awesome, razor sharp cast!
/August 25, 2015
The production features Twin Cities powerhouse Sally Wingert in a thrilling turn as the resourceful pie shop proprietress Mrs. Lovett; local, award-winning, triple-threat Tyler Michaels as the unwitting Tobias Ragg; and announcing celebrated and charismatic theater, film and television actor Mark Benninghofen in the title role.
Performances begin September 23 at the Ritz Theater in MN.
Single tickets and season subscriptions are on sale now at latteda.org or 612-339-3003.
(Minneapolis/St. Paul) Theater Latté Da today announced casting for Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s gruesome, gritty musical masterpiece Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Sweeney Todd features the exquisite songs “Pretty Women,” “Nothing's Gonna Harm You” and “Johanna.” Theater Latté Da Artistic Director Peter Rothstein will helm the celebrated musical with Denise Prosek as music director. Performances begin September 23 at the Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE in Minneapolis). Single tickets and full season subscriptions can be purchased at latteda.org or by calling 612-339-3003.
Sweeney Todd is the story of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking vengeance. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop. Together they plot a delicious plan with deadly consequences. The New York Daily News calls Sweeney Todd, “A work of such scope and vision and daring that it dwarfs every other Broadway musical that even attempts to invite comparison.”
In launching the company’s Season 18, Rothstein has assembled a bloody awesome cast. The production features the celebrated and charismatic Mark Benninghofen in the role of Sweeney Todd. Benninghofen is a theater, film and television actor and voiceover artist most recently seen in Juno and the Paycock at the Guthrie Theater and The Hot House with Dark and Stormy Productions and is known for his expert characterizations. Of his work in Juno as the thieving parasite Joxer, the Star Tribune writes, “Benninghofen is like a ballet dancer in a highly mannered performance — graceful even in drunk stumbling.” Benninghofen offers, “I have never performed in a musical. I have always separated myself immediately from actors with the remarkable skills needed for musicals. But I saw the final preview of the original Sweeney Todd on Broadway with Len Cariou in 1979…blew my mind! Since then Sweeney Todd has been the only musical that calls to me as an actor. It has a marvelous book and score...a dark story...and then there’s Peter Rothstein, Sally Wingert and Tyler Michaels.”
The production also features Twin Cities favorite Sally Wingert taking on the delicious role of the resourceful pie shop proprietress Mrs. Lovett. Wingert most recently appeared with the company as the caustic, no-nonsense Maria Callas in last season’s critically acclaimed production of Terrence McNally’s Master Class. Wingert and Benninghofen will share the stage with local stage sensation Tyler Michaels in the role of Toby, Lovett’s sweet-faced, unwitting accomplice. Michaels is best known for his turn as the Emcee in Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust’s lauded production of Cabaret as well as leading roles in My Fair Lady and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Guthrie Theater and the title role in Peter Pan at the Children’s Theatre Company. On directing the production Rothstein offers, “In my opinion, Sweeney Todd is Sondheim at his very best. I have directed many of his works in the past, but have never had the opportunity to direct Sweeney. I am beyond thrilled about this production and cannot wait to work with this incredibly talented cast and creative team to bring this musical masterpiece to life.”
Benninghofen, Michaels and Wingert are joined by Ben Dutcher (Theater Latté Da: Master Class) in the role of Fogg; Elizabeth Hawkinson in the role of Johanna; Sara Ochs (Theater Latté Da: Our Town) in the role of Beggar Woman; Jim Ramlet (Theater Latté Da: OLIVER!) in the role of Judge Turpin; Matt Rubbelke in the role of Anthony; Evan Tyler Wilson in the role of Pirelli; and Dom Wooten in the role of Beadle.
Theater Latté Da is an award-winning Twin Cities musical theater company that combines music and story to illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artists and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater. latteda.org
FACT SHEET:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street A Musical Thriller
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler From an Adaptation by Christopher Bond Directed by Peter Rothstein Music Direction by Denise Prosek
Performance Dates: Wednesday, September 23 – Sunday, October 25, 2015 Venue: Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN)
Stephen Sondheim’s bloody, worldwide success, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is the story of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking vengeance. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop. Together they plot a delicious plan with deadly consequences. Don’t miss this tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat that has simultaneously shocked and delighted audiences across the world. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Sweeney Todd is Sondheim at his very best. Performance Dates and Times:
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Friday, September 25 at 7:30 PM (Preview)
Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 PM (Opening Night)
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM (Director’s Dialogue)
Wednesday, September 30 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 2 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 16 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 22 at 7:30 PM (Post-Show Discussion)
Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 PM
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