Sweeney Todd, the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical, celebrates its 40th anniversary. The production, directed by Harold Prince, opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre March 1, 1979. Starring Len Cariou as the title character and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd tells the story of A barber who was unjustly imprisoned for years by a corrupt judge returns to England bent on revenge.
The production also featured Victory Garber as Anthony Hope, Ken Jennings as Tobias Ragg, Merle Louise as the Begger Woman, Edmund Lyndeck as Judge Turpin, Sarah Rice as Johanna, Joaquin Romaguera as Pirelli, and Jack Eric Williams as the Beadle.
Flip through photos of the production below:
Photos: Look Back at the Original Production of Sweeney Todd on Broadway
The production received eight Tony Awards in 1979—including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score—as well as 11 Drama Desk Awards and the Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. It went on to be revived twice on Broadway and adapted into a 2007 film, in addition to the currently running Off-Broadway production.
