September 12, 2014 – Virginia Opera, The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, launches the 40th Anniversary Season of the company with a landmark production of the Stephen Sondheim blockbuster, “Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
For this groundbreaking event, the company welcomes a legendary production team led by Director Ron Daniels who co-wrote the stage adaptation of the original Victorian “penny dreadful” that inspired Sondheim to create his masterpiece of American musical theatre. Virginia Opera offers this season opening in a co-production with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, who debuted this version with Ron Daniels at the helm in May, 2012. The design team, led by acclaimed set designer Ricardo Hernandez, provided an incredible atmospheric backdrop for this production that ties the scenic design elements impeccably to the drama that ensues onstage. Chuck Lavazzi, in reviewing the St. Louis performances notes, “Director Ron Daniels has a long history with the story of Sweeney Todd and his work here is very effective.”
“Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” opens Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Va., followed by additional performances in Richmond and Fairfax. Tickets start at just $19 and are available on the Virginia Opera website at vaopera.org, or, for personal assistance, please call the Opera’s Box office at 866.673.7282.
“Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” harkens back to late Victorian London, complete with drab and murky skyline, smokestacks and an early Industrial-era set offering a menacing backdrop to the tale of terror. Imprisoned on a trumped-up charge by a lecherous judge who covets his lovely young wife, Sweeney Todd is sent away on a life sentence. Will the judge have his way? The lyric invites the audience to …”Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd….” to find out if the lady succumbs because, “What happens then – well that’s the play – and he wouldn’t want us to give it away, not Sweeney…” This is a production with twists and turns and provides the audience with continuing revelations throughout the performance that concludes with a surprise ending.
President and CEO, Russell P. Allen, comments that “Virginia Opera joins Vancouver Opera, Madison Opera, and other companies in producing “Sweeney Todd”this season. And I know that our audiences will enjoy it. The artist performances in this production are stunning, the production itself is high drama, at its best, the set is amazing; all the elements of opera that you enjoy are here.”
Director Ron Daniels states that “Stephen Sondheim transformed the play into a musical that captures in full measure its vigorous full throated, full blooded, and emotionally generous story telling – which is what opera is!”
The Cast
Conducting this production is Virginia Opera’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Adam Turner who remarks, “In continuing Virginia Opera’s commitment to exciting repertoire and engaging diverse audiences, I’m thrilled to kick off our 40th Anniversary Season with the blockbuster of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” With a tremendously gifted cast, staged by Ron Daniels – one of the originators of the play that inspired Sondheim – our audiences are in for an extraordinary experience at the theater. Returning from his triumphant success in the title role of last season’s “Falstaff,” baritone Stephen Powell will captivate and tantalize in the title role. He will be joined by the critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano Phyllis Pancella, in the role of Mrs. Lovett, an artist lauded for her lustrous voice and powerful stage presence. I am particularly excited to welcome Broadway superstar soprano Diana DiMarzio, reprising her role as the Beggar Woman, a role she triumphantly played in the 2005 Broadway revival opposite Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, including the subsequent nationwide tour. The cast is rounded out by Virginia Opera audience favorite bass-baritone Jake Gardner, debuting the role of the villainous Judge Turpin, a role he will perform later this year with Houston Grand Opera.”
He adds, “Many of the supporting roles will feature nationally-recruited talents from our Emerging Artists Program. I’m especially excited to welcome back former Emerging Artist soprano Amanda Opuszynski, fresh off her smashing success as Frasquita in Santa Fe Opera’s “Carmen,” performing the role of Johanna in our “Sweeney Todd.”
Performance Details and Ticket Information
“Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will be performed in English with English supertitles. Each performance will feature a free 30-minute pre-opera discussion by Virginia Opera’s Dr. Glenn “Dr. Opera” Winters. Tickets start at just $19 and are available at vaopera.org or by calling 866.673.7282. The production opens on Friday, September 26, 2014 in Norfolk, Va., and is scheduled to appear in three Virginia Opera venues as follows:
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Harrison Opera House Fri., Sept 26, 2014 8:00 p.m. |
Carpenter Theatre Fri., Oct 3, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
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George Mason University Center for the Arts Fri., Oct 11, 2014, 8:00 p.m. |
For more information or for inquiries about media coverage of “Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” please call Maggi George at 757.627.9545, ext. 3316, or email maggi.george@vaopera.org
Student Tickets
Virginia Opera will offer a special Student Night at the Opera performance of “Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in Norfolk, Va. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Student Night at the Opera allows students and chaperones to experience the power of live opera, with unparalleled access at reduced ticket prices, in order to broaden appreciation for cultural arts in our community. Visit vaopera.org for more details about Student Night at the Opera and how to purchase tickets.
For regularly-scheduled performances in Norfolk and Richmond, students may receive $15 rush tickets. Tickets must be purchased the day of the performance through the Box Office. Discounts are intended for full-time students only and valid student identification is required.
About Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera Association, Inc., celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, is known and respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs. Mainstage performances in three markets across the Commonwealth reach nearly 60,000 attendees annually. In March of 1994, by unanimous vote of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Opera was named The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the state as well as to the world of opera. For tickets and information visit vaopera.org or call 866.673.7282.