Sweeney Todd
Musical - Original
Uris Theatre
Data not verified
- First Preview: February 6, 1979
- Opening Date: March 1, 1979
- Closing Date: June 29, 1980
- Previews: 19
- Performances: 557
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Synopsis
A barber who was unjustly imprisoned for years by a corrupt judge returns to England bent on revenge – a revenge that turns indiscriminately murderous, leading his resourceful accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, to bake the victims into meat pies.
Opening Night Cast
| Len Cariou | Sweeney Todd | |
| Angela Lansbury | Mrs. Lovett | |
| Victor Garber | Anthony Hope | |
| Ken Jennings | Tobias Ragg | |
| Merle Louise | Beggar Woman | |
| Edmund Lyndeck | Judge Turpin | |
| Sarah Rice | Johanna | |
| Joaquin Romaguera | Pirelli |
Opening Night Production Credits
| Hugh Wheeler | Book | |
| Stephen Sondheim | Music | |
| Tommy Valando | Music published | |
| Stephen Sondheim | Lyrics | |
| Harold Prince | Director | |
| Larry Fuller | Dance and movement |
Awards
Drama Desk Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Len Cariou | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Angela Lansbury | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Hugh Wheeler | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Choreography | Larry Fuller | Nominee |
| 1979 | Outstanding Costume Design | Franne Lee | Nominee |
| 1979 | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Harold Prince | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Ken Jennings | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Merle Louise | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Lighting Design | Ken Billington | Nominee |
| 1979 | Outstanding Lyrics | Stephen Sondheim | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Music | Stephen Sondheim | Winner |
| 1979 | Outstanding Musical | Winner | |
| 1979 | Outstanding Set Design | Eugene Lee | Nominee |
New York Drama Critics' Circle
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Best Musical | Stephen Sondheim
Hugh Wheeler |
Winner |
Outer Critics Circle
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Winner |
Theatre World
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Theatre World Award | Sarah Rice | Winner |
| 1979 | Theatre World Award | Ken Jennings | Winner |
Tony Award
| Year | Category | Name | Winner/Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Actor in a Musical | Len Cariou | Winner |
| 1979 | Actress in a Musical | Angela Lansbury | Winner |
| 1979 | Book of a Musical | Hugh Wheeler | Winner |
| 1979 | Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Franne Lee | Winner |
| 1979 | Direction of a Musical | Harold Prince | Winner |
| 1979 | Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Ken Billington | Nominee |
| 1979 | Musical | Winner | |
| 1979 | Original Score | Stephen Sondheim | Winner |
| 1979 | Scenic Design (Play or Musical) | Eugene Lee | Winner |
PHOTO ARCHIVE: The Best Man Star Angela Lansbury on Broadway
THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Follies and The Morini Strad's Mary Beth Peil Shares Her Cherished Theatregoing Experiences
THE SCREENING ROOM: Happy Birthday, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber! (Video)
THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Tony Winner and Nothing Like a Dame Creator Phyllis Newman