McCarthy and Skinner Slash Into Sweeney Todd in Oklahoma

By Adam Hetrick
October 22, 2009

The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma production of Sweeney Todd, starring Broadway's Jeff McCarthy and Tony nominee Emily Skinner, begins performances Oct. 22.

McCarthy, who stars in the razor-wielding title role, reunites with Skinner as pie-maker Mrs. Lovett. The duo previously co-starred in the 1997 musical Side Show on Broadway.

Nick Corley directs Sweeney Todd which plays a limited engagement through Nov. 1. Kevin Casey is musical director.

The cast also features Jimmi Kilduff as Tobias Ragg, Christopher J. Deaton as Anthony, Caitlin Wees as Johanna, Kris Todd as the Beggar Woman, Thomas E. Cunningham (Phantom of the Opera) as Judge Turpin, Roland Rusinek (The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd) as the Beadle and Jeremiah Downes as Pirelli.

The ensemble includes Traci Bair, Jason Bias, Patrick Borror, Brian Hamilton, Rebecca Maiten, Parish Mechling and Katie Reid.

Designing Sweeney Todd are Jeffrey Meek (costume design), Amanda Foust (scenic design), Josh Epstein (lighting design) and Brad Poarch (sound design).

The Tony-winning musical Sweeney Todd centers on a vengeful London barber whose customers are never seen again. His accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, assists Todd in disposing of the evidence with the use of her creative culinary skills.

Skinner earned a Tony nomination for portraying conjoined twin Daisy Hilton in the 1997 musical Side Show, with McCarthy cast as her manager and love interest Terry Connor. Skinner's stage appearances include The Fully Monty, James Joyce's The Dead, Jekyll & Hyde and The Witches of Eastwick. McCarthy has appeared in the Broadway productions of Urinetown, The Pirate Queen, Chicago and Beauty and the Beast.

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 Broadway 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.

For tickets phone (405) 524-9312 or visit LyricTheatreOKC.