Behind The Scenes Of SWEENEY TODD OBC Recording With Lansbury, Sondheim, Etc.

A fascinating peek behind the scenes of the original Broadway cast recording sessions for Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's legendary gothic horror musical SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET in 1979 is now available to view in an extensive series of photos just released by noted label Masterworks Broadway.

Angela Lansbury sips tea and shares a laugh with co-star Len Cariou, while Sondheim confers with the performers in between takes.

Clearly, Lansbury and Cariou can be seen giving full-out stage turns in many of the shots, with a mic placed high above them as to not miss a single sibilance of the delicately syncopated and carefully designed action within Sondheim's complex, rich and riveting score - the rousing Act One closer "A Little Priest" foremost among them, vividly captured here.

In other moments, Sondheim shows some sheet music to life-long pal Mary Rodgers Guettel, while Lansbury and Cariou intently listen back to their just-recorded performances back in the recording booth.

Also, glean a glimpse of Paul Gemignani conducting the orchestra and conversing with the composer/lyricist as well as some stills of the rest of the accomplished cast of actors assembled for the production by Sondheim and master director Hal Prince - a fresh-faced Victor Garber among them.

More information on SWEENEY TODD and many other classic Sondheim cast albums is available at the official Masterworks Broadway site here.

View the photos of Lansbury, Sondheim and more from the cast recording of SWEENEY TODD below.

Photo Credits: Henry Grossman/Masterworks Broadway