Sweeney Todd, With Rod Gilfry and Karen Ziemba, Stalks Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Starting May 26

By Adam Hetrick
26 May 2012

Karen Ziemba
Karen Ziemba

Rod Gilfry and Karen Ziemba share a devious duet in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony-winning musical Sweeney Todd at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis beginning May 26.

Ron Daniels directs Sweeney Todd, which is conducted by Stephen Lord and choreographed by Sean Curran. Performances run in repertory through June 24.

Gilfry (The Sound of Music, South Pacific) and Tony winner Ziemba (Contact, Steel Pier, Curtains) co-star as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett, respectively, in a cast that also features Nathaniel Hackmann as Anthony Hope, Deanna Breiwick as Johanna, Kyle Erdos Knapp as Tobias Rigg, Timothy Nolen as Judge Turpin, Susanne Mentzer as the Beggar Woman, Scott Ramsay as Beadle, Anthony Webb as Pirelli, Marco Stefani as Jonas Fogg and Jason Eck as the Bird Keeper.

Scenic design is by Riccardo Hernandez, with costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind, sound design by Michael Kooker and wig design by Ashley Ryan.

The original production of Sweeney Todd won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when it premiered on Broadway in 1979 starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. The 2005 Broadway revival, directed by John Doyle, featured a reduced cast, all of whom played instruments as well as their respective roles.

For tickets visit Opera-STL.