Broadway's starry Sweeney Todd is between stars. Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban, who opened the production last year, ended their runs January 14. Their official replacements, Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit, don't begin until February 9. Who's playing those roles in the meantime?
Yet again, it's understudies to the rescue. With nearly three weeks until Tony winners Foster and Tveit arrive, the show is letting audiences know who is on when, giving Broadway fans the unique chance to actually plan to see an understudy rather than just getting lucky.
According to social media posts from the production, Nicholas Christopher will play Sweeney Wednesday-Saturday performances January 17-February 8 and Pirelli on Sunday performances during that same period. Paul-Jordan Jansen will handle the titular Sweeney for those Sunday shows. Jeanna de Waal (Diana) will be Mrs. Lovett at all evening performances and Sundays January 17-February 8, with DeLaney Westfall taking on the meat-pie-making role Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Raymond J. Lee will play Pirelli at all evening performances January 17-February 8, and Daniel Torres will play the role Wednesday and Saturday matinees.
Especially enterprising Broadway fans could not only manage to see their favorite understudy, but a number of various combinations possible within that schedule. Such fans might like a reminder that the revival offers an online ticket lottery via Broadway Direct and same-day rush tickets in person at the box office.
Directed by Thomas Kail, the revival was nominated for eight 2023 Tony Awards, and won Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Nevin Steinberg).
The production currently features Tony winner and Laurence Olivier Award nominee Ruthie Ann Miles (The King and I) as Beggar Woman, Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton) as Anthony, Maria Bilbao (On Your Feet!) as Johanna, Jamie Jackson (The Last Ship) as Judge Turpin, John Rapson (Les Misérables) as Beadle Bamford, and Nicholas Christopher (Hamilton) as Pirelli. Heartstopper star Joe Locke will join the company as Toby beginning January 31.
The production features Jonathan Tunick's full, 26-piece orchestration for the first time on Broadway since the 1979 original production, with music supervision by three-time Tony winner Alex Lacamoire. A cast album was released in September.
WATCH: Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford, and the Cast of Sweeney Todd Perform a Tiny Desk Concert
Based on the Christopher Bond play of the same name, Sweeney Todd centers on its titular barber who seeks revenge on a corrupt judge and turns to murder, with neighbor and accomplice Mrs. Lovett ultimately discovering they can dispose of the evidence by serving up the most unsettling meat pies to the people of London.
The production features choreography by Steven Hoggett, scenic design by Mimi Lien, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, special effects design by Jeremy Chernick, and wig, hair, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas. Casting is by The Telsey Office, and Baseline Theatrical's Nick Lugo and James Hickey serve as general managers. Cody Renard Richard is production stage manager.
