Joining Emick onstage are Jennie May Donnell (Mrs. Lovett), Eddie Carroll (Tobias), Adam Yost (Anthony), Erica Penn (Johanna), Zach Schwartz (Judge Turpin), Jerod Nace (Beadle Bamford), Sara Flotree (Beggar Woman), Adam Randolph (Pirelli/Fogg), Karen Christense (Nurse/Ensemble) and Liana Francisco (Nurse/Ensemble).
Jeff Kingsbury directs the production — which is loosely based on the 2005 Broadway revival staging — for the Olympia, WA, based company. The actors, however, do not play their own instruments as in John Doyle's conception.
Regarding the production, Emick said in a statement, "I've never seen Sweeney Todd, so I'm not coming with any preconceived ideas as to how the role should be done. When it comes to theatre, the story is first in my mind. Sondheim is one of America's finest storytellers with his music. This is a milestone for me."
Jarrod Emick is a Tony winner for his portrayal of Joe Hardy in the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees. He has also appeared on Broadway in The Boy from Oz, The Rocky Horror Show, Ring of Fire and Miss Saigon.
Sondheim's bloody musical thriller finds the falsely imprisoned barber Benjamin Barker returning to London only to find his family torn apart. In pursuit of vengeance, he renames himself Sweeney Todd and teams up with a business savvy pie-maker, as he slashes the throats of his enemies. Sweeney Todd runs through Oct. 27 at the Capital Playhouse, located at 612 East 4th Ave, in Downtown Olympia, WA. Tickets are available by calling (360) 943-2744.
Further information is available by visiting www.capitalplayhouse.com.
*
Sweeney Todd, considered by many to be Stephen Sondheim's masterwork, features a book by Hugh Wheeler. The original production, helmed by Harold Prince, was set in a vast foundry, depicting the effects of the industrial revolution on humanity. It won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when it premiered on Broadway in 1979 starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury.
The 2005 revival, directed by John Doyle, featured a reduced cast all of whom played instruments as well as their respective roles. This production, starring Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, was reconceived in an insane asylum and earned two Tony Awards.
