Luke Walrath portrays "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Glacier Symphony and Chorale joins forces with the Alpine Theatre Project for a concert production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” The shows are set for March 11-13 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center and will be performed in a concert format – showcasing the full Glacier Symphony and Chorale on stage as well as stars from the Broadway and opera worlds.
Considered a masterpiece of modern musical theatre, Stephen Sondheim’s multi-award-winning tale of revenge has enjoyed several Broadway revivals and a 2007 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp in the title role.
“For me, Sweeney Todd is representative of those few works that almost redefine a creator, in this case Mr. Sondheim,” says Maestro John Zoltek. “How crazy and shocking and how brave and confident was the composer who took to this macabre tale with uncompromising creative vision! Not only were the lyrics, songs and choruses great, but the orchestrated music itself perfectly evoked the lurid and dark atmosphere of this gruesomely comic tale of personal revenge gone to the extreme.”
This concert features former Broadway actors Luke Walrath as Sweeney Todd, Mike Eldred as Beadle Bamford, Eric Michael Krop as Antony Hope, and Betsi Morrison as the Beggar Woman. Current Broadway actors include Pamela Bob as Mrs. Lovett and Dan Sharkey as Judge Turpin; and opera stars Hanna Brammer perform as Johanna and Glenn Seven Allen as Adolfo Pirelli.
The show also features local favorites Sam Benkelman as Tobias Ragg and Valeri McGarvey as Jonas Fogg. The concert will be conducted by GSC maestro John Zoltek, and directed by ATP artistic director Betsi Morrison.
Morrison was delighted to be teaming up again with the GSC the On Stage musicals-in-concert series. “Sondheim has crafted a tasty, thrilling theatrical treat that has awed and delighted audiences across the world,” she said. “We will offer a star-studded cast, many of whom are Broadway veterans, and alongside the incredible Glacier Symphony and its Chorale, this will be an offering you won’t want to miss!”
Show times are 7:30 p.m. March 11-12 and 3 p.m. March 13 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Call 406-407-7000 or visit gscmusic.org or atpwhitefish.org for tickets and information.