Back in July, we reported that the New York Philharmonic would present a staged concert production of Stephen Sondheim's classic Sweeney Todd, and that opera icon Bryn Terfel would play the titular role. The combination of "New York Philharmonic," "Stephen Sondheim," "Bryn Terfel" and "Sweeney Todd" would be more than enough reason for excitement, but now there's a new one: Oscar-winner Emma Thompson will join the production as pie-maker extraordinaire Mrs. Lovett.
This production, which is scheduled to run from March 5 through 8, will mark Thompson's New York stage debut. She is no stranger to the stage, of course, and has even starred in a musical before: In the early 1980s, she joined Robert Lindsay in the West End production of Me and my Girl. She earned an Academy Award for her performance in Howards End and for writing the screenplay of Sense and Sensibility.
Sweeney Todd will be directed by Lonny Price and conducted by Alan Gilbert. For tickets, visit http://nyphil.org/concertstickets.
Good to know: The Philharmonic will host a Gala on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, that will include a pre-concert reception, concert, and post-concert seated dinner with the artists. For a Gala table or ticket information, contact Jennifer Levine ([email protected]; 212-875-5757).