5 Reasons You Should See Sweeney Todd:
1 - It's immersive…which is VERY cool. This production was originally staged in (one of) London’s oldest pie shops and is now playing Off-Broadway in a replica of that pie shop downtown at the Barrow Street Theater. Audience members sit at picnic tables as the show is being performed around them. The actors are so close to you that they aren’t even mic’d!
2 - The cast. Broadway A-Listers Hugh Panaro and Carolee Carmello star as the infamous duo Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett. You will probably never get the chance again to have one of Broadway’s literal best singers ever (EVER!) scream murderous threats into your face. Also, we've now got Be More Chill's Jake Boyd as Anthony. Hashtag swoon!
3 - The pies. You can get there early and eat pies made right there in the shop…and by pies, we mean meat pies. Former White House pastry chef Bill Yosses prepares these tasty treats in the actual pie shop (replica) kitchen and you can pay a little more for a ticket that includes a pie. They’re DELICIOUS and we definitely recommend this bonus option! Check the video on this page to see a full breakdown of the pies themselves.
Photos: Joan Marcus
4 - Sondheim. He’s a GOD among musical theater composers. Musicals don’t get more sophisticated and elegant than when Sondheim writes them…even when he’s writing about murder!
5 - The band. It’s a 3-piece band that truly sounds like a full orchestra. The (very small) room has incredible acoustics, and there just isn’t a more intimate way to hear these genius musical theater songs.
Runs through December 31.
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