Sweeney Todd: Judy Kaye plays Mrs Lovett

Judy Kaye assumes the role of Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street when she goes on the stage this evening.

Kaye is stepping in to Patti LuPone's shoes for 8 performances only from 20 - 25 Jun 2006, whilst LuPone is on vacation.

Judy Kaye is no newcomer to the role of Mrs Lovett, she first played the role in 1984 at the Michigan Opera Theater and again in 1992 at the Papermill Playhouse.

Kaye was nominated for a Tony Award for her last outing on Broadway when she played Florence Foster Jenkins in Sovenir, which ran at the Lyceum Theatre from the 10 Nov 2005 - 8 Jan 2006. She won a Tony Award in 1988 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carlotta Guidicelli in Phantom of the Opera.

Sweeney Todd opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on the 3 Nov 2005, following preview from the 3 Oct 2005, where it is currently booking to the 31 Dec 2006.

The musical opened to excellent notices: The New York Times said "Brace yourself they're putting on one helluva show.� and USA Today wrote "Is as thrilling as it is bold." www.newyorktheatreguide.com revierer, Polly Wittenberg, wrote "A thoroughly enjoyable evening." You can read all of Polly Wittenberg's review here

Sweeney Todd won two 2006 Tony Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. It also won the Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Best Musical Revival, and received a special New York Drama Critics Circle Award.

The musical is based on the 19th century legend of a London barber, who is driven to crime when a malevolent judge takes his wife and child from him. His plan for revenge includes a cut-throat partnership with Mrs. Lovett, an enterprising businesswomen, who is soon producing the tastiest meat pies in London.

Sweeney Todd features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Hugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond. The production is directed and designed by John Doyle, with music supervision and orchestrations by Sarah Travis.

The ten member ensemble also includes: Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Mark Jacoby (Judge Turpin), Donna Lynne Champlin (Pirelli), Manoel Felciano (Tobias), Alexander Gemignani (The Beadle), John Arbo (Jonas Fogg), Diana DiMarzio (Beggar Woman), Benjamin Magnuson (Anthony), Lauren Molina (Johanna).