BWW Reviews: Kelrik's SWEENEY TODD a Dynamite Hit at the El Portal
by Don Grigware - Apr 14, 2015
Sweeney Todd first bowed on Broadway in late 1979. Fortunately, I was in New York to witness the brilliant achievement of Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and the entire creative team. Kelrik Productions is presenting the masterwork for the first time, hardly an easy task in a small intimate theatre space such as the Monroe Forum Theatre of the El Portal. Well, let me tell you, they may be exceedingly proud of this production, as it replicates just about everything that the original achieved, minus a full orchestra. Every detail, every move and every musical beat are in line with wonderful musical director Joe Lawrence at the piano. With a perfect cast and brilliantly inventive direction and staging from Kristin Towers-Rowles, this Sweeney Todd could not be better.
Kelrik Productions Presents SWEENEY TODD, Now thru 5/10
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2015
SWEENEY TODD, the Tony Award-winning musical, sails into the Monroe Forum Theatre @ El Portal tonight, April 10 to May 10, 2015. Based on a version of SWEENEY TODD by Christopher Bond, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, it's a tragicomic tale of murder, mayhem, and meat pies.
Photo Flash: First Look at ENO's SWEENEY TODD's Opening Night, with Bryn Terfel & Emma Thompson
by Matt Smith - Apr 1, 2015
Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson lead the cast as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett in Lonny Price's production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller at the London Coliseum. Joining them are Matthew Seadon-Young as Anthony Hope, Katie Hall as Johanna Barker, Philip Quast as Judge Turpin, Jack North as Tobias Ragg, Alex Gaumond as Beadle Bamford, Rosalie Craig as Beggar Woman and John Owen-Jones as Pirelli.
Photo Flash: Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson Return to SWEENEY TODD at the English National Opera Tonight
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 30, 2015
Lonny Price directs Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller, the first production in a major new long term partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company. Joining Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson who will lead the cast as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett are Matthew Seadon-Young as Anthony Hope,Katie Hall as Johanna Barker, Philip Quast as Judge Turpin, Jack North as Tobias Ragg, Alex Gaumond as Beadle Bamford, Rosalie Craig as Beggar Woman and John Owen-Jones as Pirelli.
Kelrik Productions Presents SWEENEY TODD, 4/10 - 5/10
by Tori Leiber - Mar 25, 2015
SWEENEY TODD, the Tony Award-winning musical, sails into the Monroe Forum Theatre @ El Portal April 10 to May 10, 2015. Based on a version of SWEENEY TODD by Christopher Bond, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, it's a tragicomic tale of murder, mayhem, and meat pies.
Tooting Arts Club Presents Site-Specific Production of SWEENEY TODD Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 12, 2015
Tooting Arts Club's acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd is to move to a new home on Shaftesbury Avenue this spring whilst Harrington's Pie and Mash Shop undergoes refurbishment. The pop-up pie shop success story started last October when Tooting Arts offered up lovelorn Mrs Lovett's infamous pies in a grisly, site-specific production of Stephen Sondheim's most famous musical in SW17. Audiences met in the local barbers before being led into London's oldest, functioning pie-shop, established in 1908 and complete with original Victorian decor.
West End's SWEENEY TODD, with Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson, Adds Performance, April 5
by Matt Smith - Mar 3, 2015
Due to unprecedented public demand, an extra performance has been scheduled on Sunday 5 April at 3pm for Lonny Price's production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller at the London Coliseum. Tickets for the 5 April performance, including 300 seats at £10 each, will go on sale today (3 March 2015) at 10am. Sales for Sweeney Todd broke English National Opera box office records last September and the few remaining seats for performances from 30 March are available through the box office.
Tooting Arts Club to Present Site-Specific Production of SWEENEY TODD, March 12
by Matt Smith - Feb 11, 2015
Tooting Arts Club's acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd is to move to a new home on Shaftesbury Avenue this spring whilst Harrington's Pie and Mash Shop undergoes refurbishment. The pop-up pie shop success story started last October when Tooting Arts offered up lovelorn Mrs Lovett's infamous pies in a grisly, site-specific production of Stephen Sondheim's most famous musical in SW17. Audiences met in the local barbers before being led into London's oldest, functioning pie-shop, established in 1908 and complete with original Victorian decor.
BWW Feature: Sondheim's Most Hummable Songs
by Matt Tamanini - Jan 25, 2015
After seeing the new INTO THE WOODS movie twice over the holidays, I posted on Twitter about how two of the songs had stuck with me. After a tweet conversation, my BWW colleague Jeff Walker and I decided to put our heads together to try and come up with a list of Sondheim's most hummable tunes. Despite not discussing it beforehand, Jeff ended up picking songs from the 1960s and 70s, and I filled in the gaps with numbers from the 80s and 90s.
Angela Lansbury Stars in BLITHE SPIRIT at the Ahmanson, Beginning Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 9, 2014
Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.
FLASH SPECIAL: Sondheim By The Decade, Part 2 - 1970s & 1980s
by Pat Cerasaro - Dec 25, 2014
The feature film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved fairy tale musical INTO THE WOODS is coming to movie theaters nationwide on Christmas Day and BroadwayWorld celebrates the man behind the music with a new series highlighting the work of iconic composer and lyricist, continuing today with a look at his work in the 1970s and 1980s.
Philip Quast to Reprise Role as 'Judge Turpin' in ENO's SWEENEY TODD
by BWW News Desk - Nov 6, 2014
The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye just revealed via Twitter that Olivier winner Philip Quast, who played 'Judge Turpin' in the New York Philharmonic's SWEENEY TODD, will reprise his role in the musical at English National Opera. He will reunite with Bryn Terfel in the title role and Emma Thompson as 'Mrs. Lovett'.
Decibel's SWEENEY TODD Makes World Premiere in French in Quebec City Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2014
After many successful Broadway productions, a big screen adaptation and over 40 awards worldwide, the highly-praised musical thriller Sweeney Todd will play in one of Canada's greatest venue: Le Capitole de Que?bec. The production will mark the show's world premiere in French and will definitely be Quebec City's EVENT of next fall!
Angela Lansbury to Star in BLITHE SPIRIT at the Ahmanson, Beginning December 9
by BWW News Desk - Sep 18, 2014
Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.
STAGE TUBE: Inside Look at SWEENEY TODD- Performing for Sondheim; Airs 9/26 on PBS
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 18, 2014
SWEENEY TODD airs on PBS stations on Friday, September 26, 2014, 9:00-11:30 p.m. ET. Audra McDonald serves as host. The acclaimed, sold-out production stars Terfel in the title role and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett in her Philharmonic debut, New York stage debut, and first time performing the role. In the video below, the cast chats about the thrill of learning that Sondheim himself was in the crowd!
Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel in ENO's SWEENEY TODD
by Matt Smith - Sep 17, 2014
Lonny Price will direct Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler'sSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller, the first production in a major new long term partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company.
STAGE TUBE: Inside Look at SWEENEY TODD with Bryn Terfel; Airs 9/26 on PBS
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 16, 2014
SWEENEY TODD airs on PBS stations on Friday, September 26, 2014, 9:00-11:30 p.m. ET. Audra McDonald serves as host. The acclaimed, sold-out production stars Terfel in the title role and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett in her Philharmonic debut, New York stage debut, and first time performing the role. In the video below, Bryn Terfel describes the joys and challenges of performing the title role.