This innovative new production features a multi-talented ensemble of ten talented actor/musicians, five from the 2006 Tony Award-winning company, who double as the accompanying musicians in Sweeney Todd. Rolling Stone raves, “In this dazzling reinvention, the greatest musical of the 20th century now stakes its claim as the gold standard for the next hundred years as well!” The New Yorker writes “Under the bold direction and design of John Doyle, this re-imagining is unbearably exciting. The result is luminous.”

Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye (Mrs. Lovett) and David Hess (Sweeney Todd) will be joined by John Arbo (Jonas Fogg), Diana DiMarzio (Beggar Woman), Benjamin Eakeley (The Beadle), Benjamin Magnuson (Anthony), Lauren Molina (Johanna), Elisa Winter (standby for Johanna and Pirelli) and Jessica Wright (standby for Mrs. Lovett and Beggar Woman), who all appeared in the Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. Joining the touring cast are Edmund Bagnell (Tobias), Keith Buterbaugh (Judge Turpin), Katrina Yaukey (Pirelli), Edwin Cahill (standby for Anthony, Tobias, The Beadle and Jonas Fogg) and David Garry (standby for Sweeney Todd, Judge Turpin and The Beadle).

Sweeney Todd is based on the 19th century legend of a London barber driven to a life of crime after a malevolent judge takes his wife and child from him. Sweeney’s plan for revenge includes a cutthroat partnership with Mrs. Lovett–an enterprising businesswoman–who is soon producing the tastiest meat pies in London.

Directed and designed by John Doyle, who won the 2006 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for this production, Sweeney Todd features music and lyrics by famed composer Stephen Sondheim and is considered by many to be his masterpiece. The book is by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond and music supervision and orchestrations are by Sarah Travis, who won a 2006 Tony Award for this captivating musical. The creative team also includes lighting designer Richard Jones and sound designer Dan Moses Schreier. Doyle’s production of Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway in 2005 to universal critical acclaim where it won the Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and was awarded a Special Citation by the New York Drama Critics Circle. It arrived on Broadway from a highly successful London engagement originally staged by the Watermill Theatre, which transferred first to the Trafalgar Studios in London’s West End in July 2004 to wide critical acclaim, then to the New Ambassadors Theatre, where it ran for a limited engagement through Feb. 5, 2005.

The original production of Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre (now the Gershwin) on March 1, 1979 in a production directed by Harold Prince. The musical won eight 1979 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for 557 performances. Sweeney Todd is produced by Thomas Viertel, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Ambassador Theatre Group, Adam Kenwright, Tulchin/Bartner/Bagert and Live Nation. For more information on Sweeney Todd, please visit the tour website, www.sweeneytoddtour.com.

Judy Kaye (Mrs. Lovett) appeared in Sweeney Todd on Broadway last summer as Mrs. Lovett. Her other Broadway credits include Phantom of the Opera (Tony Award, Drama Desk nomination), Mamma Mia! (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), On the Twentieth Century (Theatre World Award, Drama Desk nomination), Ragtime (Theatre LA Ovation Award) and Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins (Tony nomination). She recently finished an acclaimed performance in Zorba for the Reprise Series in Los Angeles, has appeared with symphony orchestras around the world and has sung at the White House twice.

David Hess’s (Sweeney Todd) Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd and Annie Get Your Gun. He has appeared off-Broadway in Lincoln Center's Dessa Rose, Prodigal and Love in a Thirsty Land and has been seen around the country in the first national tour of Ragtime. His regional theater credits include Jane Eyre (San Francisco Bay Area Critics Award, Goodman Choice Award), Grand Hotel (Barrymore nominee), Sweet Charity (Ben Payne nominee) and Shenandoah. He has been seen on TV in “Dynasty,” “Dallas,” “One Life to Live,” “General Hospital,” “The Young and the Restless” and “Guiding Light.”

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets are on sale now and range from $27 to $67 depending on performance time and seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreDistrict.org or through Ticketmaster: 612-673-0404 or ticketmaster.com. Performance dates for Sweeney Todd are Tuesday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 at the State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounts and should call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST
Hennepin Theatre Trust is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the Hennepin Theatre District. With a focus on engaging community members in a diverse array of live performances and educational experiences, the Trust’s annual presentations include the M&I Bank Broadway Across America–Minneapolis Season, National Geographic Live! Speaker’s Series and an eclectic range of variety entertainment including theatre, dance, comedy and music. The Trust’s additional community programming includes the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, Critical View (a student reviewer program), the Starbucks Ticket Access Program and Kids’ Night on Broadway. Over 500,000 patrons visit the Trust’s State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres annually.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of over 40 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over five million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Producers. It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of 13 theatres across North America. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent, go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.