by tony reverditto
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, after its Broadway premiere in 1979. Pacific Symphony will present a semi-staged production of the ever-popular show on June 15 and 15.
With lyrics and music by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, this version features a full symphony orchestra and a talented cast of Broadway actors. Image magnification (IMAG) on the big screen will provide a closer look at the singers and musicians.
In this infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to the dark and mysterious streets of 19th century Victorian London. Todd seeks vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens his new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up. The musical score has some of the most chilling music ever written for the stage and promised to thrill and delight audiences.
Dan Hoy will play Anthony Hope, an active-duty sailor who is no longer Sweeney’s adversary. He is a sympathetic friend to the barber, helping him to re-establish his life and grooming trade. Even though he catches glimpses of Sweeney’s darker side, he is never fully aware of the barber’s deadly rampage.
Hoy is a New York-based actor and vocalist. He was born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio and earned his bachelor’s degree of music in music theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. He has been praised by critics across the country for his “incredible voice,” “heartrending performances” and “rousing” stage presence.
THE RAGE MONTHLY CAUGHT UP WITH HOY ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE TWO-NIGHT-ONLY PACIFIC SYMPHONY PRODUCTION IN COSTA MESA.
I listened to some of your songs on your website, and your voice is absolutely phenomenal. When did you first realize that you had an aptitude for singing?
Aw, thank you, that’s very kind! I’ve been singing since I was little. My parents love to tell the story of how, at 2 or 3, I stood on a chair in a restaurant and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?” I then proceeded to put on a full-blown concert. Everyone found it hilarious, of course, which apparently upset me because I wasn’t being taken seriously. (A toddler singing in a restaurant is pretty funny!) But that early experience sparked a passion that’s stayed with me ever since. I’ve now been performing professionally for over a decade, and I still get that same thrill of sharing music with an audience.
You have a great deal of diversity as a singer/actor, as you have performed in everything from musical theatre to prestigious concerts. What was your favorite production and why?
It’s hard to pick a favorite production! I love different shows for different reasons. Witnessing the transformation of Harmony into the final Broadway product was an insightful experience. It gave me such a deep appreciation for the process of development, from the first script updates to the final curtain call. Touring with an updated production of a legacy show like Cats gave me a deep respect for the classics and the artistry that keeps these shows alive for new generations. Doing an immersive production of The Seagull in a literal home and a stripped-down production of Carousel in the basement of a restaurant offered me deep insight into the power of experimentation and intimacy, and how these smaller productions can create such a strong, direct connection with an audience. Whether I’m performing Puccini in a grandiose concert hall or singing new works in the living room of an up-and-coming composer, every experience has given me something special, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world.
How did you land the role in Sweeney Todd?
I’m afraid the story is a bit anticlimactic. I actually got the offer through a simple email from my agent, and that’s about all there is to that part of the story. However, to add a little drama to the tale, I wasn’t initially sure I could participate because I was doing Harmony on Broadway at the time. Most Broadway shows are “open runs,” meaning they don’t have an official end date scheduled. Because of this, we were worried rehearsals/performances for Sweeney would conflict with the run schedule of Harmony. In an incredibly bittersweet turn of events, Harmony ended up having a much shorter run than anticipated (closing long before it should have, in my opinion). While I was very sad to see that production go, it ultimately created the perfect opportunity for me to jump on board with this project!
Is this a touring production or just a special performance?
This is a special, two-night-only engagement created specifically for the Pacific Symphony and the Segerstrom Center. It is not a tour, making it a uniquely singular experience. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it! The cast is phenomenal — a dream team of Broadway veterans, Met Opera stars, and some of the best voices in the business — all coming straight to Costa Mesa!
The Pacific Symphony turned 50 last year and is such an accomplished orchestra. How does working with a full-blown orchestra differ from a musical theatre orchestra?
Broadway orchestras are much smaller than symphony orchestras, which results in a different sound. Larger productions like Some Like It Hot or Phantom of the Opera might have 20-30 musicians (the most recent Sweeney Todd revival had 26), while smaller shows like Six only have four. Additionally, on Broadway, the band is usually hidden under or off the stage, out of sight from the audience. There are exceptions, of course, like Chicago or some City Center runs, but those are truly the exception, not the rule. By contrast, symphonic orchestras typically consist of 60-100 musicians, and they’re positioned right on stage with the singers. I love this as a performer. It puts us right in the middle of the action. We feel like we’re truly engaging with the maestro and the musicians in real time — not through a speaker or a digital monitor. For an audience, the sound is incredibly rich and enveloping, and you feel deeply immersed in the music.
What should audiences expect from this unique version of the Broadway classic?
Audiences should expect Sondheim’s music at its most luxurious. This is a rare opportunity to hear Sweeney Todd — in all of its complex glory — performed by a full symphony orchestra. And not just any orchestra: the Pacific Symphony, which is considered one of best symphonic orchestras in the world! Their incredible musicianship combined with the stunning voices of this exceptional cast is going to bring the beauty of Sondheim’s composition to the forefront and offer a truly unique musical experience. It promises to be an engaging and immersive journey unlike any other, and it’s one you definitely won’t want to miss!
Pacific Symphony’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street runs on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.
pacificsymphony.org / 714.755.5799