Wednesday, March 1 (the 38th anniversary of the original Broadway opening) saw the opening night of The Tooting Arts Club production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, directed by Bill Buckhurst, at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street). This production—starring Jeremy Secomb, Siobhàn McCarthy, Matt Doyle, Alex Finke, Betsy Morgan, Brad Oscar, Duncan Smith, Joseph Taylor and more—of the classic tale of blood thirsty barber Sweeney Todd and resourceful pie shop proprietress Mrs. Lovett immerses audiences in a completely new theatrical experience. This Sweeney Todd comes to New York City following sold-out runs in London where the show debuted in Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop, the oldest continuously operating pie shop in the city, before transferring (by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh) to a West End venue on Shaftesbury Avenue. The working pie-shop environment is re-created at the Barrow Street Theatre.
After party festivities and photo opportunities took place at The City Bakery, where notable guests from Bernadette Peters to Stephen Sondheim enjoyed champagne, Dixieland Jazz and bakery delectables. Theater Pizzazz’s JK Clarke was on hand to witness the festivities.